The Phoenix Suns have been one of the bigger surprises in the NBA this year, and Dillon Brooks is a huge reason why. After the Kevin Durant trade and Bradley Beal getting waived this summer, many people expected them to be one of the worst teams in the Western Conference. Instead, they’re firmly in the playoff race. The Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets clearly didn’t value that enough.
Brooks, in particular, has been a driving force behind the Suns’ success. The vibes and mindset he has brought to Phoenix’s lineup have seemingly done wonders for their chances at winning. And now, the Devin Booker-led Suns seem primed to completely defy all expectations set for them.
And Brooks has a lot to do with it.
How is Dillon Brooks helping the Suns?
With Brooks out of the lineup this season, the Suns are 3-3, but when he plays, they are 6-2. The impact he brings to the court is obvious in multiple facets of the game.
Obviously, Brooks’ defensive intensity and willingness to take on the most important matchups on a nightly basis are integral to any team that he’s on.
In the case of the Grizzlies, they let him walk in free agency, as the Rockets stole him away and handed him a big contract. At that time, they believed in him, and he helped them win games.
However, when given the chance to trade for Durant, they had to take it, and Brooks was a casualty of the deal. Brooks was important to the Rockets, but getting Durant was even more important. Still, they let him walk.
Now, Brooks is helping the Suns win basketball games during a season where they were widely projected to be one of the worst teams in the league. Instead, they’re looking like a postseason threat.
So far this year, in his seven appearances, Brooks has played 29.1 minutes per contest. He averaged 20.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 steals while shooting 43.6% from the floor and 32.7% from deep on 7.9 three-point attempts per contest.
He’s brought a little bit of everything to the Suns' lineup, and even though he hasn’t been super efficient from beyond the arc, he’s shooting enough threes that his scoring has been a difference-maker in Phoenix.
Jalen Green was the star of the Durant trade, but the impact Brooks has had on the Suns has been absolutely amazing to watch unfold.