Phoenix Suns opened the preseason with a 103-81 win over the Lakers, flashing Jordan Ott’s pressure defense and a multi-weapon offense that aims to empower every passer. Devin Booker led with 24 points and 7 assists, while Grayson Allen and Dillon Brooks spaced the floor and pressed on defense. The bench—Gillespie, Richards, O’Neale, Hayes-Davis—provided depth, and rookie Maluach flashed late with a dunk.

Booker’s playmaking and off-ball creativity set the tone as the Suns teased more action through Durant and Beal when healthy. Extended looks went to Ighodaro, Maluach and Fleming as they prepare for two China exhibitions against the Nets, testing rotations and depth for a longer season.

The Suns kicked off the 2025-26 season with a decisive 103-81 win over the Lakers in Palm Desert, signaling a pivotal rebuild under new coach and philosophy. Devin Booker anchored the night with 24 points in 25 minutes as Dillon Brooks unleashed his defensive ferocity and relentless effort, helping Phoenix establish an early identity built on hustle, turnovers, and extra possessions. A mix of veterans and 14 new players began to show chemistry, with Grayson Allen spacing the floor and Booker orchestrating the offense in a rock-solid first impression.

From the outset, Phoenix pushed tempo, grabbed offensive boards, and forced six Lakers turnovers, laying the groundwork for a 31-16 first quarter. The Lakers answered in the second, aided by a flurry of free throws, but the Suns still carried a 57-44 lead into the break. The third quarter highlighted Nick Richards, Khaman Maluach, and Fleming on the defensive end as Phoenix extended the advantage to 27, while Booker and Brooks kept the offense humming. In the final stretch, rookies and depth players flexed, with Maluach drawing attention for his size and energy. The Suns head to China next week to face Brooklyn, leaving optimism that the blueprint has real substance for the season ahead.

Phoenix Suns' 2025-26 rookie class is about growth over glory. Man Man, Khaman Maluach, has weighed in at roughly 261–263 pounds, signaling a clear focus on physical development rather than immediate production. The story centers on a 19-year-old finding his footing in the NBA’s grind while the club leans into a longer arc with Dunn and Ighodaro in the mix.

Development takes precedence over highlights this season as Maluach learns to endure, while fellow sophomores Dunn and Ighodaro provide a barometer for the youth movement. The weight-talk echoes a familiar benchmark—Ayton’s 260-pound frame—illustrating the league’s demand for size and durability as the rookie finds his pace.

The season’s narrative will hinge on patience, body growth, and adaptation, not stat lines, as Man Man works toward becoming what the Suns envision for him long term.

Cooper Flagg arrives in Dallas as the top pick, projected to contribute immediately in a two-way role behind Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, with a pathway to steady fantasy production as a secondary scorer and defensive presence.

The 2025 class offers credible fantasy upside beyond Flagg: Ace Bailey in Utah provides immediate scoring punch, Kon Knueppel in Charlotte could lock in minutes, and Dylan Harper in San Antonio may see upticks with De’Aaron Fox out early. Sleeper bets like V.J. Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, Jeremiah Fears and Khaman Maluach depend on opportunity, but carry meaningful late-round upside for savvy rosters.