Suns’ Transition Game: Elite on Chaos, Struggling in Control
There’s a fascinating thought experiment making the rounds in NBA circles-what if we thought of players in football terms? Some are quarterbacks, orchestrating the floor with vision and timing (think Luka Dončić or Nikola Jokić), while others are running backs, charging downhill with speed and force (LeBron James, Stephon Castle, Franz Wagner). It’s an interesting lens to apply, especially when looking at how teams operate in transition, particularly after a defensive rebound-when the game is wide open and the defense is scrambling.
So let’s turn that lens toward the Phoenix Suns. We know they have firepower.
We know they can score. But when it comes to transition offense-the kind that starts off your own glass, not from a steal-how do they stack up?
And more importantly, what does that say about their identity?
A Tale of Two Transitions
On paper, the Suns are a respectable transition team, averaging 116.3 points per 100 possessions, good for 12th in the league. But that number is masking a pretty stark split. Phoenix thrives in one very specific kind of transition: the kind that starts with a steal.
They lead the league in steals per game (10.9), and they’re elite at turning those into points. We’re talking 2.5 points per possession and 145.1 points per 100 transition plays off steals-top-tier numbers that put them right up there with the best fast-break teams in the league.
When they can force a turnover, Phoenix becomes a blur. They’re disruptive, opportunistic, and ruthless.
But take away the chaos, and things get shaky. When the Suns have to build a fast break off a defensive rebound-when the transition isn’t gift-wrapped-they fall apart.
They rank 29th in the league in defensive rebounds per game (just 29), and their efficiency in transition off those rebounds is well below average: -0.6 points per possession, 113.7 points per 100 plays. The league average?
118.5.
That’s a big drop-off. It shows a team that’s excellent at punishing mistakes but struggles to create its own rhythm when the opportunity isn’t handed to them.
No True “Pushers” in the Backfield
When you break it down by player, the issue becomes even clearer. Nobody on the Suns consistently grabs a board and immediately turns it into a fast break. Devin Booker and Royce O’Neale are the only ones even slightly above average in transition frequency off rebounds, and that’s by a slim margin-just a combined +4.8%.
The rest of the roster? Either average or below.
There’s no one who consistently accelerates the tempo after a rebound. No one who grabs it and goes.
And just as importantly, there aren’t enough secondary runners-guys who sprint the floor, stretch the defense, and create lanes for the ball-handler.
Compare that to other teams: the Warriors have six players above +4% transition frequency off rebounds. The Lakers have three, including LeBron and Luka Dončić at a whopping +11%. Even the Spurs and Blazers have young wings like Stephon Castle (+10%) and Deni Avdija (+8%) who are consistently pushing pace.
Phoenix? They’re missing that engine. And without it, the car doesn’t go anywhere unless the road is already cleared.
The Talent’s There. The Structure Isn’t.
This isn’t a talent issue in terms of finishing. The Suns have guys who can make you pay in transition-Booker, Kris Dunn, Grayson Allen. But the structure isn’t supporting them.
There’s little evidence of a system designed to create fast breaks off rebounds. Rebounders aren’t looking to outlet quickly.
Guards aren’t sprinting into space. Spacing is often static right after the rebound, and the team rarely looks synced up.
Take this sequence: Dillon Brooks grabs a board and kicks it to Allen, who pulls up for a tough, moving three. Meanwhile, Devin Booker is wide open in the corner, and Mark Williams is sprinting the lane.
The better option? Hit Booker or Williams in rhythm.
Instead, it’s a wasted possession.
Or this one: Allen secures the rebound but hesitates. Booker and Dunn are both calling for the ball in the same spot, while Williams jogs down the floor with no urgency and no awareness of the ball’s location. Only Collin Gillespie seemed to recognize the moment and react accordingly.
These aren’t isolated incidents-they’re symptoms of a team without a clear plan in transition off rebounds.
So Where Do the Suns Go From Here?
**1. Make Booker the Engine.
**
Last season, Booker ranked in the 98th percentile in transition frequency off rebounds (+6.7%).
He’s more than capable of being the guy who grabs a board and pushes. Structuring transition offense around him-giving him the green light to run-would maximize his vision and scoring instincts.
**2. Unlock Jalen Green.
**
Green hasn’t been a transition killer yet-his numbers are negative across the board-but the flashes are there.
He’s explosive, he’s fast, and he’s got vertical pop. As he returns from injury, the Suns need to plug him in as a secondary runner.
Let him attack space, punish backpedaling defenses, and turn broken plays into highlights.
**3. Fix the Glass.
**
You can’t run if you don’t rebound.
Phoenix is 29th in defensive boards, and that’s a massive issue. They need a big who can control the glass and immediately initiate the break.
That might mean a roster move. It might mean development.
But without it, the transition game will stay stuck in neutral.
**4. Get the Bigs to Run.
**
Even if they’re not touching the ball, bigs need to sprint.
Every single possession. That puts pressure on the defense, opens up lanes, and creates early offense.
And while they’re at it, the team needs to structure its spacing from the moment the rebound is secured-pusher, wing runner, trailer. That’s how you get easy buckets before the defense sets.
Final Word
The Suns have shown they can be deadly in transition-but only when chaos reigns. When they’re forcing turnovers, they’re one of the most efficient fast-break teams in the league. But when it comes to creating their own tempo off rebounds, they’re near the bottom.
This isn’t just a stat quirk. It’s a structural flaw.
One that limits their offensive ceiling and highlights a deeper issue with rebounding and floor balance. The pieces are there.
The flashes are real. But unless they find a way to consistently turn stops into sprints, Phoenix will remain a team that punishes mistakes-not one that sets the pace.