When the Phoenix Suns acquired Amir Coffey in a trade that sent Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis the other way, fans in the Valley couldn’t help but flash back to a moment that’s become something of a meme in Suns lore - Coffey’s face mistakenly appearing on the jumbotron in place of Devin Booker’s during a 2022 game in Denver. That night, Booker responded with a performance that reminded everyone exactly who he was. And while Coffey had nothing to do with the mix-up, his name has stuck in Phoenix ever since.
Now, Coffey’s actually wearing a Suns uniform - and this time, it’s no mistake.
After spending the first six seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers, and a brief stint with the Milwaukee Bucks this season, Coffey arrives in Phoenix as a battle-tested wing who’s seen the Suns from the other side. He’s faced them 18 times, including two playoff exits at their hands. He’s matched up with Booker more than a few times, and he knows exactly what kind of challenge that presents.
“I mean, everybody knows Dev, he’s a great player,” Coffey said during his introductory media session. “Things run through him, and he’s on all scouts and everything. So those battles were definitely good.”
Coffey’s not a star, but he’s the kind of player who helps good teams win games - especially in the grind of the regular season and the chaos of the playoffs. A 6-foot-7, 3-and-D wing with solid size and switchability, Coffey brings a skill set that fits snugly into what Phoenix needs right now.
He’s averaged 6.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in his career, shooting a respectable 45.5% from the field and 38.1% from three. That’s efficient, low-usage production - the kind of numbers that don’t demand touches but still make an impact.
He’s not the big-bodied forward the Suns were rumored to be chasing at the deadline, but he is a plug-and-play option who can defend multiple positions and knock down open shots. That’s gold for a team that’s been navigating injuries and searching for lineup flexibility.
“Yeah, I think it’s gonna be good,” Coffey said of joining the Suns. “Just what I can do and add to the team.
I’m somebody that can play on both sides of the ball - on defense guard multiple positions, switch out, and on offense, space the floor. Just do what I do and emulate myself into the offense.”
Coffey’s game is rooted in fundamentals, but his basketball pedigree runs deep. His father, Richard Coffey, played at the University of Minnesota and had a stint with the Timberwolves.
His sisters played college ball - one at Marist, one at Northwestern - and his sister Nia is currently in the WNBA. Amir followed the family path, starring for the Minnesota Golden Gophers where he was a three-year starter and earned Third Team All-Big Ten honors as a junior after averaging 16.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists.
Despite going undrafted, Coffey carved out a spot in the NBA the hard way. He signed with the Clippers and paid his dues early, seeing limited minutes in his first two seasons.
But in Year 3, he broke through - appearing in 69 games, starting 30, and averaging 9.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. He became a reliable rotation piece, stepping up whenever the Clippers’ stars were sidelined.
That’s been the story of Coffey’s career: stay ready, stay steady. In the 2024-25 season, he posted a career-high 9.7 points per game while shooting over 40% from deep.
He signed with the Bucks this past offseason, but with a crowded rotation in Milwaukee, his minutes fluctuated. Now, he’s in Phoenix, ready to contribute however he’s needed.
“You know, it’s always weird around the deadline. Trying to wait to see what’s going to happen,” Coffey said.
“But, you know, I’m definitely blessed to be in this position. I’m grateful for the opportunity.
Ready to get going.”
And the timing couldn’t be better. With Grayson Allen and Isaiah Livers both sidelined due to injury, the Suns are thin on the wing. Coffey gives them a versatile defender who can guard one through four, space the floor, and bring a little extra edge to the rotation.
“I’ll be able to switch one through four, one through three, whatever they need,” Coffey said. “Guard different positions and kind of just work myself into how they play.
Like run and gun and everybody’s covering for each other. A little bit of tenacity in there.”
That’s the kind of mindset that wins over coaches and earns playoff minutes. Whether Coffey ends up playing 15-20 minutes a night or serves as a depth piece who steps in when needed, he adds value to a Suns team that’s chasing postseason success. He’s on a one-year deal, but if Phoenix decides to move off one of their other wings - like Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen, or Jordan Goodwin - Coffey’s the kind of player you want to keep around.
Bottom line: Amir Coffey makes the Suns deeper, tougher, and more versatile. He’s not here to take over games, but he’s here to help win them - and for a team with championship aspirations, that’s exactly what you want from a midseason addition.