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.

Year-two players anchor the 2025-26 fantasy landscape, led by Donovan Clingan's late-season move into Portland's starting lineup and strong rebounding/blocks. Edey, Sarr and Ware project sustained frontcourt value with varying health and role risk, while Missi and Castle offer versatile multi-category floors.

A deeper cohort—Buzelis, George, Sheppard, Bona, Filipowski, Wells, McCain, Carrington, Dunn, Risacher, Collier, da Silva, Holland and Mitchell—could swing fantasy leagues with minutes and fit should roster changes unlock roles.

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.

Phoenix fans foresee a potential uptick despite an upheaval-filled offseason. After an 8-1 start, the Suns collapsed to 28-45, traded Kevin Durant to Houston, and bought out Bradley Beal as they pivot around Devin Booker with a younger core. If everything aligns, a 40-59 win ceiling is plausible, with most fans leaning toward closer to 40 as a realistic outcome for a still-developing group.

Booker shifts into a higher-usage, playmaking role as the de facto point guard, while Mark Williams brings interior scoring and Jalen Green is projected to shoulder a larger workload. Ryan Dunn could evolve into a steady starter, and a defensive boost from Dillon Brooks and Dunn might offset a thinner roster. The decisive factor remains early team identity and the ability of young players to thrive in new roles; 37 wins is the pragmatic bar for improvement.

The Suns open training camp with three clear bets: who grabs the backup point-guard slot behind Booker and Green, how the frontcourt behind Dunn settles into the rotation, and how four rookies develop into usable players in a high-pace system. The period will reveal which players earn real minutes, how the rotations form, and what this youth movement could mean for early-season fantasy upside.

Three focal battles drive the early narrative: Goodwin vs Butler for the backup guard role, a PF battle behind Dunn among Hayes-Davis, Fleming, and Brooks, and the rookie development path to ensure Phoenix’s long-term upside. Expect sharp competition, measured minutes, and rapid lessons as the Suns shape their identity.