Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks has been ranked 76th in ESPN's annual top 100 NBA players list. This recognition follows his career-best 2025-26 season, where he averaged 20.2 points per game and helped set a new culture for the Suns. The team's current context is challenging, with a recent 122-131 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 28, 2026, capping a difficult stretch of four consecutive defeats.
Brooks made a significant leap last season, his first in Phoenix. He transformed his game from a defensive agitator into a more complete all-around player. The nine-year veteran averaged 20.2 points per game, a personal high, and became a key figure in the Suns' locker room. ESPN's Vincent Goodwill highlighted Brooks as a culture setter for a surprising Phoenix team. His impact was clear, and the Suns rewarded him with a three-year, $73 million contract extension signed in August. Brooks arrived in Phoenix last June as part of the major Kevin Durant trade with the Houston Rockets.
His influence on team success is notable. Houston improved from 22 to 41 wins in Brooks' first season there. Phoenix then saw a nine-win improvement last year. In the ESPN rankings, Brooks now sits one spot ahead of his former Memphis Grizzlies teammate, Ja Morant, and just behind Oklahoma City's Cason Wallace. He was not ranked in the top 100 the previous season, making this a substantial jump.
Brooks' inclusion is the only one for the Suns in the 100-51 range released so far. Based on other names on the list, it appears only Devin Booker will join him when the top 50 is revealed. This places a spotlight on Brooks as a core piece of Phoenix's present and future. His role extends beyond scoring. He provides defensive intensity and veteran leadership that the team needs.
The ranking parameters focus on predicted contributions for the 2026-27 regular season only, weighing both quality and quantity of play. For a Suns team looking to build on last season, Brooks' continued high-level performance will be important. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming challenges on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.
The recognition for Brooks comes amid a tough spell for the Suns. Their recent form reads one win and four losses in the last five games (LLLLW). They lost their last four contests, all against strong Western Conference opponents. The most recent result was a 122-131 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 28, 2026.
Before that, they fell 109-121 to the Thunder on April 25. The two games prior were also losses in Oklahoma City, 120-107 on April 23 and 119-84 on April 19. Their sole win in this sequence was a dominant 135-103 victory over those same Thunder on April 13. A 73-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 11 started this difficult run. These results highlight the competitive environment of the NBA and the consistency required to climb rankings and the standings.
Brooks' individual accolade is a bright spot. But the team's collective results show there is work to do. Integrating his two-way prowess with the talents of Devin Booker and others will be key for Phoenix's success in the new season. The Suns will aim to turn individual recognition into more team wins as they prepare for the 2026-27 campaign.
