Dillon Brooks Has Elevated the Suns-But Could That Make Him a Trade Target?
Let’s get one thing straight: Devin Booker isn’t going anywhere. Not unless he walks into the front office and demands it himself-which, by all accounts, isn’t happening. But while Booker is the face of the franchise, the Suns have another player making waves this season: Dillon Brooks.
At 29, Brooks has brought an edge to Phoenix that's hard to ignore. He’s been a tone-setter, a competitor who treats every regular season game like it’s the playoffs. That fire has helped keep the Suns firmly in the postseason conversation, even as they navigate a roster that’s still trying to find its ceiling.
But here’s where things get interesting.
Brooks is playing some of the best basketball of his career. He’s shown flashes of being the guy on the floor for stretches, not just a role player or defensive specialist. That kind of performance doesn’t go unnoticed-especially not during trade season.
And yes, NBA trade season is officially here.
So the question becomes: What happens if a contender comes calling with a serious offer? Something owner Mat Ishbia can’t just wave off?
To be fair, Ishbia has gone on record recently saying he’d like Brooks to stay in Phoenix long-term. That’s not just lip service-Brooks has earned that kind of respect. But in a league where windows close fast and opportunities are fleeting, the Suns might find themselves at a crossroads.
Here’s the reality: Phoenix doesn’t have a treasure chest of draft picks. They’re not loaded with blue-chip prospects outside of Jalen Green.
Brooks raises their floor-he’s already proven that. But if they want to raise their ceiling, if they want to build a team that keeps Booker happy and contending deep into the postseason, they have to be open to conversations.
The kind of conversations that start when a team makes a “you can’t ignore this” offer.
Need an example? Look no further than Oklahoma City.
The Thunder had their superstar in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a young core, and a smart front office. Then they pulled the trigger on a deal that sent Josh Giddey-one of the league’s top young talents-for Alex Caruso.
That move turned heads. It also turned OKC into a legitimate threat.
Now ask yourself: Could Brooks have a Caruso-like impact on a contender? Absolutely.
He brings defense, toughness, and playoff-ready intensity. If a team is desperate enough-and plenty are-you’d be surprised what they might give up for a player like that.
This isn’t to say Phoenix should trade Brooks. It’s more about acknowledging that the conversation has changed.
Brooks has shifted the narrative in Phoenix. He’s not just a fiery defender anymore-he’s a key piece on a team trying to find its way back to the top of the Western Conference.
And that’s a credit to him. This version of Brooks isn’t new, either.
We saw shades of it in Memphis and again in Houston. But in Phoenix, he’s putting it all together-and doing it on a bigger stage.
The Suns don’t have to move him. They may not even want to. But if the right deal comes across the table-something unexpected, something like the Giddey-for-Caruso swap-it could test their resolve.
It’s a good problem to have. But make no mistake, it’s still a problem.