Hungry, tight Phoenix Suns squad exert a newfound continuity and camaraderie in 2026

They summered together in Las Vegas, Toronto and Flagstaff. But mostly, the Phoenix Suns spent their offseason playing basketball in their palatial Valley gym.

Together. When they could’ve been elsewhere.

“It’s abnormal what we did over the summer,” Suns head coach Jordan Ott said.

As always, strong winds of optimism were blowing at the Suns’ annual media day event on Monday. Mat Ishbia said there was “zero chance” he might be forced to sell the team, insisting that his diminished finances will change nothing with funding of the Suns. Devin Booker said he loves the game more than ever. Jalen Green said the team “stacks up with anybody” in the NBA. And on it went.

What’s different is the newfound continuity and camaraderie in Phoenix, a sense of brotherhood that was central to almost every conversation. That feels very real and very important.

Ott is returning all his assistants, all seven video room guys, and his entire G-League staff. Twelve of the 15 players who finished the 2025-26 season will be back for another crack. Booker is about to turn 30 and has the same coach for a second consecutive season, something he hasn’t had since Monty Williams in 2022.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Booker said. “I still feel young. Yeah, I feel like 30 is one of those milestone years. I feel something good cooking.”

Booker set the tone by devoting his summer to basketball and his teammates. Like when second-year big man Khaman Maluach texted the 11-year veteran with a special request:

“We would end up being in the gym at the same time, late at night,” Booker said. “And then one time, he just texted me and was like, ‘Can we get some work in together?’

Booker obliged. And on Monday, he said this about Maluach:

“I’d say he’s taken the biggest leap out of anybody that I’ve seen this summer,” the five-time All-Star said.

Jalen Green followed Booker’s lead, staying in town and adding muscle to his frame. He also worked out alongside former Suns great Steve Nash, who provided tutelage on how to better read the game and better control the pace.

Green showed off his incredible burst and athleticism near the end of the 2025-26 season, the kind of raw talent you can’t toss away too quickly. Just imagine if the Suns can sharpen up his mental skills.

“He was here in the gym,” Ott said. “And we’ve challenged him.”

Finally, Dillon Brooks, who showed up with a new hairstyle and a new mindset. He spent part of his offseason in the Wudang Mountains in China learning Taoist culture and how to center himself, thereby adding discipline and composure to his game. The villainous one also learned the martial arts of Kung Fu.

The reason?

“If anybody pisses me off, I’ll give them a drop kick, especially the ones that are wearing stripes,” Brooks said.

The Suns have clearly put in the work. In terms of physical conditioning, they are well ahead of schedule. And through their actions and their offseason priorities, they are conveying ultimate belief in the direction of the program and the opportunities ahead.

“We’re building something special,” Ishbia said.

“We’ve had a great summer,” general manager Brian Gregory said.

“The competitiveness is at an all-time high,” Brooks said.

On media day, bold claims come cheap. But the Suns have clearly put in the hours and built a foundation of trust. It feels like they are rallying around their young Beethoven, a curious and grinding head coach who just might be a game changer.

Wouldn’t that be nice?

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on Arizona Sports 98.7.

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