Just 48 hours remain before we get our first glimpse of the Phoenix Suns in the 2026–27 preseason, kicking off with a matchup against the Detroit Pistons on Monday afternoon in Detroit. While preseason games don’t affect official standings, this opening game offers a valuable early look at the Suns’ roster and potential strategies for the upcoming season.
Every new season brings a fresh wave of excitement, and preseason basketball sparks plenty of curiosity. So, what am I most eager to see during this preseason?
Who will emerge as the Suns’ starting center?
The competition at center is sure to be a hot topic. Fans and analysts will closely scrutinize performances from Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach, as one of them might earn a starting spot over the course of the five preseason games. Additionally, observing how CJ Huntley and Duop Reath are utilized will be intriguing. These two are essentially fighting for a chance to stay on the team through the regular season, potentially landing a two-way contract. While I have personal preferences based on youth and developmental promise, preseason and training camp performances will likely determine who sticks around.
Will the Suns allow rookie Koa Peat to showcase his creativity?
This preseason should give us our first real look at first-round draft pick Koa Peat in Suns colors, especially in the early games where plenty of his playing time is expected. Peat is intriguing because he can handle the ball well, even at power forward. The question is whether the Suns will let him explore his playmaking abilities or slot him into a more narrowly defined role that might not fully highlight his talents.
Consider Ryan Dunn as an example: during Summer League, Dunn was effective when given freedom with the ball, yet his regular-season role is more specialized—primarily as a three-and-D player who spaces the floor and takes fewer dribbles. Peat is somewhat similar, though he hasn’t yet developed much of a three-point shot like Dunn hadn’t at Virginia. Throughout the preseason, I’m keen to see how the Suns balance using Peat’s diverse skill set.
What does continuity look like for this team?
“Continuity” has been the buzzword this offseason, and for good reason. However, looking back, the Suns haven’t had much continuity over the long run. Outside of Devin Booker, the longest-standing players are Ighodaro, Dunn, and Collin Gillespie—all entering their third seasons with Phoenix.
There is some continuity from last year’s squad, though, and as the preseason moves toward its final two games—where rotations firm up ahead of the regular season—it will be fascinating to see what on-court familiarity really looks like. Chemistry and comfort should naturally emerge from having players who spent last season together. Yet, with the addition of Miles Bridges, who changes 20% of the starting lineup, and current injuries to Mark Williams, who accounts for another 20%, continuity exists in name but not necessarily in the roles and expectations for this season.
With so many young players joining, maintaining cohesion will require leadership and clear direction as preseason shifts into the regular season.
While the game outcomes won’t be the main focus, the early signs in these five preseason matchups will be crucial. We’ll get answers about who wins the center position battle, how Peat fits into the Suns’ developmental plans, whether Huntley or Reath can secure their spots, and what real continuity looks like amidst changing roles. These games won’t solve every puzzle, nor should they, but after months of anticipation, it’s exciting to finally start seeing the team’s future take shape.
Fan Take:
This preseason marks a pivotal moment for Suns fans eager to see the blend of youth and experience come together on the court. Beyond wins and losses, watching how new talent integrates and develops could signal not just the Suns’ trajectory, but also broader trends in how NBA teams nurture rising stars and build cohesive units in today’s game.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
