Phoenix Suns enter the 2026-27 NBA season with high hopes after a 45-win baseline in 2025-26. The team’s success will hinge on the growth of its star backcourt duo, Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, who are poised to take on larger roles. Booker, a five-time All-Star, elevated his game last season as a primary playmaker and scorer, setting the stage for continued improvement. Brooks, in his second year with Phoenix, provides elite perimeter defense and timely shotmaking to complement Booker’s offensive gravity.
What makes the Booker-Brooks pairing effective?
Booker handles a heavy playmaking and scoring load, using his vision and split-second decision-making to create clean looks for Brooks on the perimeter. Brooks, meanwhile, takes on challenging defensive assignments, using his hard-nosed toughness and intangibles to disrupt opponents. Though not yet an All-Defensive Team caliber player, Brooks ranks above average in defensive impact and brings a competitive fire that matches Booker’s intensity. Their communication and shared drive have become evident in limited but promising stretches together.
Why has their chemistry been hard to evaluate?
Booker and Brooks have only played 42 games together as teammates due to injuries. Brooks missed over a month with a broken hand, while Booker dealt with a hamstring issue and other ailments last season. This limited sample prevented a full assessment of their on-court synergy, though both remain highly ranked league-wide. Booker sits at 18th and Brooks at 59th in The Ringer’s offseason player rankings, signaling strong individual value despite skepticism about their combined ceiling.
What does their recent performance suggest?
When sharing the court with Jalen Green, the trio posted a modest net rating of +1.1, indicating room for growth in lineup efficiency. However, Booker’s ability to generate assists and Brooks’ knack for timely perimeter shooting and defensive stops suggest upside if they can stay healthy and build continuity. The duo is set to make their season debut together in a preseason game against the Detroit Pistons on October 5.
Last result: Phoenix Suns 122-131 Oklahoma City Thunder (2026-04-28). Recent form (last 5): 0W-0D-5L (LLLLL, most recent first); lost the last 5. The Suns will look to turn things around as they prepare for training camp, with Booker and Brooks expected to lead the charge toward internal growth and a better win total in 2026-27.
