The Phoenix Suns are heading into the 2025-26 season as a rebuilding group that has added no fewer than 11 new players to their team. This includes three rookies in Khaman Maluach - who was a hit at media day - Koby Brea and Rasheer Fleming, while Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro are back for their sophomore campaigns.
This puts even more pressure on franchise cornerstone Devin Booker to be the leader both on the court and in the locker-room. It is crazy to think that he came to Phoenix over a decade ago now, and in that time has cemented himself as perhaps the greatest Sun in franchise history. As for being the team's leader however, it is unclear how quickly he will settle into that role.
Dillon Brooks can take on this mantle if Booker doesn't want to.
The last two plus seasons saw Booker defer to Kevin Durant a lot both on and off the court, which likely goes some way to explaining why they failed to live up to expectations. Prior to that he had one of the best leaders of all-time in Chris Paul by his side, so this is uncharted territory for the now 28-year-old.
Which is why the addition of Dillon Brooks is going to be so valuable, both to Booker and the Suns. Now 29-years-old himself, we've already seen Brooks be the kind of vocal and defensive-minded leader in his last stop with the Houston Rockets. One look at how their fanbase is feeling about his departure and it is clear he had developed into a leader of their young roster across two seasons.
"Memphis not wanting me... Trying to figure out a new path in the NBA. I had to look myself in the mirror and say, 'How can I be wanted?'... The way I play, smash mouth, physical, in your face type of game is where I got the villain [role from]."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 24, 2025
Dillon Brooks on the origin of… pic.twitter.com/8QAqh0MNke
Brooks also has no problem being the bad guy and the one player who opposing teams and their fans love to hate, which is another massive plus for Booker. If he's taking so much attention away from himself and Jalen Green, then they can get to doing what they are best at. Namely putting the ball in the basket.
You can see from the way he plays the game that he is going to communicate with his teammates all game long - including when he is on the bench - and that is such a boost for youngsters such as Maluach, Dunn and Ighodaro. It is unclear what lineups head coach Jordan Ott is going to go with, but he surely has to pair those four together alongside Booker to create defensive chaos.
Whatever way he is used though, Brooks is going to be an extension of the coaching staff out on the court. He's now got a ton of experience - as well as a will to win every game he plays - that will compliment Booker incredibly well. He may not be anywhere as talented as Durant, but the fit in Phoenix might end up being better than anybody could have ever imagined for Dillon Brooks.