The Phoenix Suns are quietly turning heads this season-and not just because of their record. With a gritty 28-19 mark following a narrow win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night, the Suns have emerged as one of the NBA’s biggest surprises in 2025-26.
That’s especially true considering they traded away Kevin Durant in the offseason, a move many assumed would usher in a rebuild. Instead, it’s sparked a resurgence.
At the heart of this unexpected rise? Dillon Brooks.
Yes, that Dillon Brooks-the defensive agitator, the outspoken wing, the guy who’s made headlines as much for his trash talk as his play. But this version of Brooks is different. He’s not just stirring the pot-he’s stirring up wins.
In his first season in Phoenix, Brooks is posting career-best numbers and playing with a chip on his shoulder the size of Camelback Mountain. He’s averaging over 20 points per game, creating offense off the dribble, and knocking down spot-up threes with confidence. On the defensive end, he’s still the same relentless pest-locking up wings, switching onto bigger players, and setting the tone with his physicality.
And it’s not going unnoticed.
Charles Barkley, a Suns legend and never one to mince words, recently revealed that he cast a vote for Brooks as an All-Star reserve. “I put Dillon Brooks [on my All-Star reserves team],” Barkley said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “What Dillon Brooks is doing for the Phoenix Suns is similar and comparable to what Draymond [Green] does for the Warriors when they were rolling.”
That’s high praise. Draymond Green has long been the heartbeat of Golden State’s dynasty-an emotional leader and defensive anchor who often made the Warriors go. Barkley’s comparison speaks volumes about the impact Brooks is making in the desert.
And he’s not wrong. Brooks isn’t just scoring-he’s doing it efficiently, often creating his own looks in crunch time.
He’s spacing the floor when needed, attacking closeouts, and playing with a level of control that wasn’t always there in his earlier stops. But what’s perhaps most impressive is how his edge-his signature intensity-has become contagious.
This Suns team plays with a fire it lacked in recent seasons. When Durant was in town, the offense had plenty of star power but often felt stagnant, unsure of its identity.
Now, led by a more balanced attack and a defensive-minded mentality, Phoenix is scrapping for every possession. Brooks has infused this group with toughness and swagger-and it’s paying off in the standings.
With the Western Conference as competitive as ever, the Suns are firmly in the mix for a top-six seed. And while there are plenty of contributors up and down the roster, it’s hard to argue that anyone has been more instrumental to their success than Brooks.
This isn’t just a redemption arc-it’s a transformation. Dillon Brooks has gone from league villain to All-Star candidate, and in the process, he’s helped reshape the identity of a Suns team that’s proving it’s not done chasing relevance in the West.