The Phoenix Suns are quickly learning that the style of basketball they're currently employing is both a realistic and sustainable model to raise this team's floor and make life easier for Devin Booker: embrace defensive-minded players and prioritize the development of talent from within.
Dealing with life after Kevin Durant was always going to be a struggle on paper, but the Suns have found success quickly by picking a lane and sticking to it. This roster is still in need of more overall talent from a big-picture perspective, but what we're seeing is that defense and internal improvements are sustainable strengths.
You can almost always raise your floor as an NBA team if you adopt a mentality where defense is emphasized and every player on the floor takes pride in their defensive output. Phoenix's trio of Dillon Brooks, Ryan Dunn (Brooks and Dunn, anyone?), and Royce O'Neale gives the Suns multiple strong defenders they can throw at opposing scorers.
And we know that a lot of this team's defensive culture can be attributed to the impact Brooks has had on the organization since he arrived. A lot of outsiders and people who don't follow this team closely underestimated the Suns this season because they forgot what a difference-maker Dillon is when it comes to being a culture-changer. It's clear that he instilled hard-working values within the locker room, and Phoenix's huge jump in defensive output can largely be attributed to him.
The Suns' defense-first style is paying dividends
The Suns have also benefitted from internal development from guys like Grayson Allen and Collin Gillespie. Both are playing at a level they never had until Phoenix brought it out of them. Allen has looked a bit quicker as a scorer, and more confident as a secondary playmaker. He's been a steady three-point shooter and has helped to open the offense up.
Gillespie has quickly become a fan favorite in Phoenix, particularly after his game-winner against Minnesota last week. He's shown plenty of fight on the defensive side, and a surprising level of on-ball creation abilities on offense.
When it comes to rebuilding on the fly, the Suns have absolutely nailed it between this past offseason and the first quarter of the 2025-26 season. It would have been the simplest thing to take a big step back after losing so much talent from last year's roster, but this team unquestionably looks even better than they did this time last season.
If you want to construct an environment that keeps Devin Booker happy, this is exactly how you do it. Phoenix has done everything right, and has put themselves in a position to be back to contending in no time.