The Phoenix Suns have been active in the trade market this week. First, the Kevin Durant trade sent the star to Houston and got them Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and draft capital. At the 2025 NBA Draft, they fortified their frontcourt by drafting Duke center Khaman Maluach and trading for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams.
The Suns are trying to build a young core after a failure in their attempt to go all-in with trades for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. After missing the play-in this past season, it was likely time to move forward with a new plan. But how will all these moves impact the team’s depth chart? Let’s explore what the Phoenix Suns could look like on opening night.
Breaking Down the New-Look Phoenix Suns
Here’s a look at the Suns’ current depth chart and starting lineup:
Point Guard: Devin Booker, Collin Gillespie
Shooting Guard: Jalen Green, Cody Martin
Small Forward: Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen
Power Forward: Dillon Brooks, Ryan Dunn
Center: Mark Williams, Khaman Maluach
The 2029 first-rounder is least favorable of Cleveland, Utah, and Minnesota (1-5 protected), sources said. Size was a problem for the Suns last season and they addressed in a big way with Williams and Khaman Maluach. Hornets net two first-rounders. https://t.co/7eMqTmSPjS
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025
With all the changes, the starting lineup in Phoenix is due for a shakeup. Let’s start in the backcourt. Despite the perceived odd fit, the Suns will likely rely on a backcourt of Devin Booker and Jalen Green. Both players are more comfortable as scorers than facilitators, calling into question whether they will run into a classic “there is only one ball” dilemma that has plagued teams that pair two ball-dominant guards.
The Suns’ most interesting question will be what they will do with Bradley Beal. There are rumors that the team will look to trade him. If that doesn’t work out, they may attempt to buy out his contract, which has $110 million left on it. If the team keeps Beal, they could continue experimenting with him as a sixth man, as they did at times last season.
Heading into next season, it is likely that Dillon Brooks and second-year player Ryan Dunn will get time at the forward positions. The combination of Brooks’ defense and Dunn’s shooting upside would appeal to new Suns head coach Jordan Ott. Royce O’Neale and Cody Martin will back up the two forwards. The rotation of these four players is likely to be fluid, as Ott experiments with what works best for his roster and scheme.
The center position, which seemed like a position of weakness, is becoming one of depth. The Suns already have Nick Richards under contract after acquiring him from Charlotte in a midseason trade. They add both Mark Williams and Khaman Maluach to fortify their front line.
Mark Williams will be the presumptive starter, offering excellent rebounding and rim protection capability. Richards will likely start the season as his backup, but Maluach could see time later in the season as he gets acclimated to the NBA game.
Off the bench, the Suns will also have players like Grayson Allen and Tyus Jones that Ott will be able to mix and match in certain situations with Booker and Green, providing a more balanced approach for their two dynamic scoring guards.
This Phoenix Suns team is going to look drastically different than last year’s team. That is likely a good thing, even if the standings might not immediately reflect it. Obviously, the biggest concern is how Devin Booker and Jalen Green will coexist, and it will be fascinating to see that situation unfold.
