The Phoenix Suns have exceeded expectations despite losing superstar Kevin Durant. Much of that success has been because of Dillon Brooks, and not just because of the culture Brooks previously provided for teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets.
Not only has he done the same for the Suns, but he’s also putting up some of the best numbers of his career. It’s been impressive enough that Suns owner Mat Ishbia made it clear how much the organization values Brooks.
Mat Ishbia Discusses Dillon Brooks’ Suns Breakout
On “Run it Back,” former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins floated the idea of the Los Angeles Lakers swapping Austin Reaves for Brooks. Ishbia caught wind of the suggestion and made it clear on social media that the Suns would turn down that deal and have every intention of keeping Brooks.
“Don’t bother calling… Suns aren’t interested. Dillon’s not going anywhere,” Ishbia wrote on X.
Don’t bother calling… Suns aren’t interested. Dillon’s not going anywhere https://t.co/Jqg6Nxx1D3
— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) January 5, 2026
Brooks is putting up excellent numbers with the Suns. Twenty-nine games into the season, he’s averaging 21.4 points while shooting 46.1% from the field, both of which are career highs. The Suns have thrust him into the biggest role of his NBA career, and he’s taken it and run with it.
In their 108-105 victory Sunday over the league‑leading Oklahoma City Thunder, he scored 22 points, including a difficult step‑back 3‑pointer that gave the Suns control in the final minute and set the stage for Devin Booker’s game‑winning shot
This does not suggest that Brooks is on the same level as Durant. However, his two‑way wing play addresses a void the Suns have faced since the departures of Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson. While Brooks is not solely responsible for the team’s unexpectedly strong season, he has played a pivotal role in their success.
Swapping him for someone like Reaves would be a lateral move, and even that’s debatable. Reaves is a better scorer than Brooks, but how they compare as two-way players is fairly clear. More importantly, Cousins’ logic about Brooks fitting with the Lakers is sound, but there’s some bad blood between Brooks and LeBron James.
Granted, James has teamed up with some of his previous adversaries before, like Lance Stephenson and Rajon Rondo, but Brooks feels much more like someone who actively wouldn’t want to team up with James, regardless.
Brooks has shifted the energy for the Suns. Unless an immediate and obvious upgrade is on the table — which wouldn’t be the case with Reaves — it might be in their best interest to see this through.
