Coming out of All-Star Weekend, the Phoenix Suns are finally staring down something they haven’t had much of all season: a healthy roster. Devin Booker and Jalen Green are working their way back from ankle and hamstring issues, respectively, and Grayson Allen is set for a knee re-evaluation. If all goes well, Phoenix could be at full strength for the stretch run - and that opens up a big question:
What does this team look like when it’s firing on all cylinders?
To understand that, we’ve got to start with what’s been working. The Suns have carved out a gritty identity this season - one built on hustle, effort, and a relentless approach to winning the possession battle. That’s not just eye-test stuff either; the numbers back it up.
Phoenix ranks second in the league in steals, which has them second in deflections and third in points off turnovers. They’re fifth in loose balls recovered and fifth in offensive rebounds - both stats that speak to effort and energy.
That extra effort on the glass has translated to seventh in second-chance points. This is a team that doesn’t just play hard - they make it count.
Offensively, they’ve leaned into the modern game. The Suns are sixth in three-point attempts and sit 10th in three-point percentage. So the formula is pretty clear: win the possession battle, crash the glass, and knock down threes.
Now, when we talk about the Suns at their best, everything starts with Devin Booker. He’s the engine, the tone-setter, and the player around whom everything else needs to orbit.
So the ideal lineup isn’t just about talent - it’s about fit. The pieces around Booker need to space the floor, knock down shots, and take some of the creation burden off his shoulders.
This isn’t about five guys standing around waiting for Booker to bail them out. It’s about building a unit that amplifies his strengths and gives defenses more than one problem to solve.
That brings us to the question of chemistry - and that’s where things get tricky. With injuries and lineup shuffling all season, the Suns haven’t had a ton of continuity. So when we’re looking for a lineup that’s both been effective and has real minutes together, the list gets short fast.
But one group stands out.
Among lineups that have logged at least 100 minutes together, the Suns’ most effective group - by Net Rating - features Collin Gillespie, Devin Booker, Royce O'Neale, Dillon Brooks, and Mark Williams. That unit isn’t just the most-used; it’s also the most productive, posting a Net Rating of 9.9.
Let’s break that down.
Dillon Brooks is the emotional heartbeat of the team and their second-leading scorer. Love him or hate him, he brings edge and intensity every night.
Mark Williams is the anchor - the team’s leading rebounder and a key piece in their interior defense. Those two are locks.
Royce O’Neale has had some defensive lapses, but his veteran presence matters - especially on a team that skews younger. At 32, he’s the oldest player on the roster and brings a calming influence, not to mention the second-highest three-point percentage among qualified players. He spaces the floor and brings a level of experience that matters in tight games.
Then there’s Collin Gillespie, who might not be the flashiest name, but his impact is undeniable. He leads the team in three-point percentage and ranks second in assists and steals.
In a lineup with Booker, that balance matters. Gillespie can knock down shots, run the offense, and apply pressure on the defensive end.
He’s not just a placeholder - he’s a connector.
And the numbers back it up. Swap Gillespie out for Grayson Allen, and the Net Rating drops from 9.9 to 1.4.
That’s a significant dip, especially when you consider that Allen is no slouch himself. But Gillespie’s ability to both space the floor and facilitate offense makes him a strong complement to Booker - almost reminiscent of the way Chris Paul used to take pressure off him, allowing Booker to focus on scoring rather than initiating every possession.
Now, here’s where things get interesting: Jalen Green.
We haven’t seen a ton of him this season, but the flashes have been loud. This is the same Jalen Green who averaged 21.0 points per game last year for a 52-win Rockets team. In limited minutes with Phoenix, he leads the team in Net Rating - a staggering 24.5 - and has shown signs that he could be the kind of dynamic, athletic scorer who elevates this team to another level.
If there’s a long-term ceiling-raiser on this roster, it might be Green. But in the short term, the question becomes how to balance that potential with the chemistry that’s already been built.
One wrinkle: Gillespie and Oso Ighodaro have formed one of the most effective two-man pairings on the team. Among duos with at least 700 minutes together, they lead the Suns in Net Rating (8.9). So if Green is going to step into the starting lineup - likely at the expense of Gillespie - that’s a trade-off the coaching staff will have to weigh carefully.
There’s no denying Green’s upside. But with the postseason push heating up, the Suns may be better served - at least for now - by leaning on the lineup that’s already delivered results. That means sticking with Booker and Gillespie in the backcourt, letting Brooks and O’Neale provide the grit and spacing on the wings, and anchoring it all with Williams inside.
The good news? Phoenix finally has options.
And with their stars getting healthy and their identity firmly established, the Suns are poised to make some noise down the stretch. If they can keep building chemistry and stay true to what’s worked - hustle, spacing, and smart basketball - this team could be a serious threat in the West.