We're still a long way from watching the Phoenix Suns play basketball again - early October in fact - and the franchise is seemingly trying to get more roster moves done before the action returns to the court. Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors seemingly available at a price the Suns could yet reach, even if the Warriors don't seem interested in entertaining that right now.
The roster has already been largely remade around superstar Devin Booker, with no fewer than three rookies all vying for some minutes. Early indications suggest Koby Brea will be the youngster who contributes the quickest, having had some scorching Summer League highlights that had this veteran looking over his shoulder.
Suns slate of preseason games includes trip to China.
With the calendar about to flip to August and the real dog days of the offseason almost upon us, the Suns dropped their preseason run of games that is due to begin on October 3rd against the Los Angeles Lakers. To the confusion of fans, the team announced four games to be played against only two opponents, in the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets.
The 2025 Phoenix Suns Preseason Schedule ☄️ pic.twitter.com/M5GTMvLEUW
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 30, 2025
The decision to play the Nets twice in Macao in China also raised some eyebrows, but it makes sense if you think about it for a number of reasons. This is a chance for the Suns to grow their brand in a monster market - and while Booker may not appear as popular as he has in recent seasons - he's still a huge draw abroad.
So too are his sneakers - and although fans often lament going to these far away places for reasons other than basketball - they are commercial ventures that pay off. Doing this against the Nets is also a smart move as they don't figure to be very good next season and so head coach Jordan Ott has a chance to build some momentum as a group away from home as well.
The most puzzling aspect of all of this is playing the Nets for the second time on a Sunday, and 48 hours later lining out against the Lakers once more in Arizona. That is a team that is going to have a chip on their shoulder, and you can bet a newly lean Luka Doncic will use the opportunity to beat up on a weaker Suns roster that he has toyed with in the past.
That kind of quick turnaround does mimic the tougher stretches of the regular season, but is it really necessary? It is still exciting to know that Suns' basketball is on the horizon once more, and at a time when the fanbase is firmly back onside after the departures of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Who knows, Kuminga might even be along for the ride by the time the group touches down in China.