Phoenix Suns' Biggest Offseason Needs Ahead of 2026 NBA Draft

The Phoenix Suns put together a strong defense as a whole last season, finishing 9th overall with a 112.9 rating. Their primary strength is at the forward positions, where Dillon Brooks and Ryan Dunn can match up physically with a lot of wings.

There isn't a lot of strong point-of-attack defenders on this roster, however, as Devin Booker and Jalen Green do most of their contributing on the offensive end.

Tennessee's Ja'Kobi Gillespie is one player to keep an eye on. He has strong defensive instincts, good hands and averaged 1.9 steals in 130 college games.

2025-26 Record: 45-37

Draft Pick: 47

Center

The Suns have some promising potential big men in Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach, but if they want to seriously compete in the playoffs during Devin Booker's prime, they might need a bona fide starting center.

Mark Williams gave them 60 games of solid play at the position, but he's a free agent and doesn't have the cleanest bill of health.

If they don't re-sign him, they'll need someone else to provide some of the rim-running, rim protection and rebounding he did.

Collin Gillespie

It's going to take a massive pay raise over his $2.3 million salary in 2025-26, but the Phoenix Suns almost have to bring back Collin Gillespie.

In his first season spent mostly as a starter, Gillespie put up 12.7 points and 4.6 assists, while shooting 40.1 percent from deep. The Suns' net rating was 4.9 points better when he was on the floor.

Most importantly, Gillespie's steady hand at the offensive wheel made Devin Booker's life easier. Booker's ability to create is a nice thing to have from a shooting guard, but he's ultimately that (and not a point guard).

A Jalen Green Trade

Jalen Green spent most of this season injured, and the Suns generally played better without him. That's not a great sign for your second-highest-paid player.

When he was off the floor, the Suns' grit-and-Booker approach was tough for opponents to handle or game plan against. When Green was playing, Phoenix gave up too many possessions with bad shots.

Of course, all of that could make him tough to trade, but if the Suns could swap him for another defense-first wing, they'd have to think about doing it.