The Phoenix Suns entered the 2025-26 season with more questions than answers. After Kevin Durant’s high-profile move to the Houston Rockets, the general consensus was that Phoenix would take a step back. But here we are in January, and the Suns have been anything but a team in retreat.
Much of that resilience starts with Devin Booker. He’s the anchor, the engine, and the tone-setter for a squad that’s quietly overachieving.
But Booker isn’t doing it alone. This is a team that’s found production in unexpected places-Dillon Brooks has brought his trademark edge, and Collin Gillespie has emerged as a steady, smart contributor in the backcourt.
Still, there’s a piece missing. Or more accurately, a piece waiting.
That piece? Jalen Green.
Green, the centerpiece in the trade that sent Durant to Houston, is one of the most electric young players in the league. He’s got the kind of vertical pop that makes highlight reels and the offensive instincts that make defenses sweat. His ability to get downhill, draw contact, and finish at the rim adds a dynamic layer to Phoenix’s offense that they’ve only briefly tapped into this season.
During his time with the Rockets, Green proved he could score in bunches-averaging 21 points per game last season while playing alongside another rising star in Alperen Sengun. That experience, learning to operate next to a high-usage big, translates well to his new role with Booker. The fit makes sense on paper and, according to Booker, it makes even more sense on the court.
“We miss Jalen,” Booker said recently, offering a glimpse into how much the team values what Green brings to the table. “I think Jalen is another person who will have rim presence for us and draw a lot of fouls.
CG is really punctual; he can get to his middy. Grayson has some pressure, but we're all excited for Jalen.”
That’s not just lip service. Booker knows what it means to have a guard next to him who can collapse defenses and create space.
The Suns have shooters and role players who can thrive off that kind of gravity. Green’s return could be the key that unlocks a more dangerous, more balanced version of this team.
“He's been licking his chops for this moment,” Booker added. “And I believe we've overdone it with keeping him out. He's gonna be healthy and be ready to go.”
That’s the kind of confidence that signals something more than just optimism-it’s belief rooted in what they’ve already seen, even if only in flashes. Green played one game this season before suffering a second injury setback, but that brief glimpse was enough to spark excitement about what this team could become at full strength.
If Green can stay healthy and find his rhythm, the Suns could suddenly look a lot more complete. Booker’s already playing at an All-NBA level. Add in Green’s explosiveness, Brooks’ defensive grit, and the steady hands of players like Gillespie and Grayson Allen, and you’ve got a roster that’s quietly building something real.
For Suns fans, the wait for Green’s return might finally be over. And if Booker’s words are any indication, the best version of this team might just be getting started.