Basketball season is almost here, and that familiar buzz of excitement has taken hold of me. Covering the Phoenix Suns has been a journey I deeply enjoy. When Dave King invited me in early 2020 to bring the Suns JAM Session into the then-active Bright Side of the Sun podcast network and offered me a platform to write, he unknowingly gave me a priceless gift: an ongoing chance to create. Thank you, King.
My passion for creativity has always been a part of me. I began graphic design classes back in 1999, working with technology that now feels ancient compared to today’s tools. This early experience laid the groundwork for my love of creating through writing, podcasting, and design—all of which fulfill the same urge: to build something, finish it, admire it briefly, and immediately start dreaming up the next project.
Just yesterday, as I fine-tuned graphics for lineup projections and salary breakdowns, crafted team previews, and prepared for the Suns JAM Session podcast, the reality hit: only five weeks remain until games that truly count. The rhythm of the NBA season is about to kick into gear—complete with previews, game days, recaps, and those long nights spent puzzling over the Suns’ odd decisions and trying to put them into words without letting my emotions take over (although sometimes they win). The engine is revving, and soon we’ll be strapped in for 82 exhilarating games—I can’t wait.
With that excitement in mind, it feels right to highlight the five most compelling storylines for the Suns’ upcoming season. These narratives will stir a range of emotions—excitement, anxiety, and maybe even bewilderment—as we prepare to see how this team shapes its future.
5. The Chance for Khaman Maluach
Though fifth here, Khaman Maluach’s upcoming opportunity might become this season’s most thrilling story. Mark Williams recently suffered a torn labrum and will likely miss significant time, meaning Maluach, only 20 years old, is poised to step into a larger role. Last season, he averaged just 8.9 minutes over 46 games, but now he’ll face both the physical grind and mental challenge of being a key center. His performance will vary—dominant nights balanced by struggles under the NBA’s toughness.
The workload management of young big men is crucial, as Victor Wembanyama showed by tiring late in the Finals after a huge leap in minutes. While the Suns don’t necessarily expect a deep playoff run, they do expect growth. Watching Maluach develop into a reliable player could be captivating and may influence the team’s future ‘lottery prospect’ timeline.
Meanwhile, Williams’ health remains a key concern; injuries have already interrupted his career multiple times. Should recovery stall, the Suns might face tough decisions next offseason given his remaining contract.
4. A Shift in Three-Point Strategy
Last year, the Suns ranked fifth in three-point attempts (40.8 per game), shooting 36.1% and heavily relying on deep shots (39.3% of total points). Yet, this dependence backfired in clutch moments when they shot just 31.3% on nearly half their attempts.
This season, Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale—who combined for nearly 30% of those attempts and shot a solid 38.1%—are gone. Although the team added sharpshooter Luke Kennard, he’s never been a high-volume scorer. The projected starting five only averages 34.7% from deep collectively.
Fortunately, shooters like Collin Gillespie (40.5% career) and Kennard will bolster the bench, but recreating the lost three-point firepower won’t be easy. Head coach Jordan Ott must rethink the team’s offensive spacing and shot creation as they aim to maintain efficiency without the same personnel.
3. Year Two with Coach Jordan Ott
For the first time since the 2022–23 season, the Suns enter with a head coach in his second year—Jordan Ott—a rare sign of stability amid past turmoil. Last season, Ott established the team’s identity and layered in his analytical methods; this year, he faces the tougher task of evolving without losing that foundation.
Opponents now have a full scouting book on the Suns, so Ott must adjust strategies mid-game rather than simply execute. Post-All-Star break struggles showed a dip in offense and wins, partly due to key injuries and partly due to opponents figuring out their game plan.
Ott’s growth depends on balancing data-driven decisions with instinct—the ability to trust numbers but also feel the game’s flow. With rising expectations, year two demands progress: more wins, deeper playoff runs, and smoother in-game adjustments.
2. The Polarizing Arrival of Miles Bridges
Few additions have sparked as much debate as the acquisition of Miles Bridges from Charlotte, traded for Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and a future 2033 first-round pick. While the immediate roster moves make sense, surrendering that distant pick raises eyebrows about future assets.
Bridges’ connection to Michigan State and coach Tom Izzo adds an insightful dimension about his character and skill. Yet, controversy follows him due to a history of domestic violence, leaving fans to wrestle with rooting for a player whose off-court life challenges linger.
On the court, Bridges brings versatility, experience, and offensive creativity. His strong ability to generate his own shot and defend tough matchups offers Phoenix both an offensive threat and defensive upgrade over O’Neale. The Suns gain a flexible, switchable wing who might become a vital two-way presence.
1. The Jalen Green Evaluation
The top storyline is the evaluation of Jalen Green, Phoenix’s second-highest-paid player at $36.2 million with a player option for next season he’s likely to pick up. That hefty salary means the Suns need solid production and clear fit, especially considering $24.2 million in dead cap space elsewhere.
Green’s athleticism is undeniable—he can explode past defenders and attack the rim in ways not seen in Phoenix since Gerald Green. However, his finishing remains inconsistent, with a 53.9% field goal rate inside 8 feet, below the league guard average. His 33.9% three-point shooting also leaves defenses room to challenge him on the perimeter.
Last season’s 50-game absence due to hamstring injury delayed full evaluation and raised concerns about his capacity to regain lost explosiveness. The Suns must determine if he fits their long-term plan, especially as he becomes extension-eligible soon.
Green is also expected to take on more playmaking duties to alleviate Devin Booker and create a more dynamic offense. How well he adjusts to facilitating will heavily influence the Suns’ trajectory.
The Suns face an offseason packed with intrigue—from young players stepping up to veteran acquisitions stirring debate. Watching these storylines unfold will not only reveal what this team is becoming but also offer compelling basketball narratives for fans thirsty for growth and excitement.
Fan Take:
This detailed look at the Suns’ evolving team highlights the challenges and opportunities that define a franchise’s journey through the NBA landscape. For basketball fans, these developments symbolize how teams blend talent, strategy, and culture to chase success, reminding us that the game is as much about adaptation as athleticism.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
