Nobody wants to be swept in the first round. The exit was far too soon, but the Suns exceeded all expectations, winning 45 games without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Jordan Ott built one of the most improved defenses in the league and got the most out of a roster few believed in. Losing to the league’s best team and defending champions in the opening round just highlights how far this group has come in such a short amount of time.
For fantasy basketball managers, knowing how rosters were shaped and why they ultimately came up short in the postseason has value. Whether running a dynasty squad or prepping for next draft season, these insights matter. Let’s recap the Suns’ year and look ahead to next season.
The core
Devin Booker continues to carry the franchise as the primary scorer and playmaker. Though he finished far below his ADP in 9-cat leagues (63rd), his main counting stats remained elite in High Score, finishing 26th overall, averaging over 45 fantasy points per game (FPPG). I suspect he’ll be more efficient next year, which would bump him back into that third-round territory by draft season.
Dillon Brooks was a surprise, delivering a career-best 20 points per game while anchoring Ott’s defensive identity. He’ll generally be better for points leagues, but he showed real growth as the Suns’ second scoring option with Jalen Green out for nearly 40% of the season.
Seeing Green for just 32 games wasn’t enough. Although it was more of the same — inefficient buckets with minimal contributions elsewhere. He couldn’t find his rhythm because of all of the injuries. Still, we know who he is and his long-term fit next to Booker is a legitimate question.
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The breakout – Collin Gillespie
With Green limited to just 32 games, Gillespie stepped into heavy minutes across 80 games (58 starts), securing a critical role in Phoenix’s rotation. The guy who went undrafted in real life and all fantasy leagues this season ended up breaking the Suns’ franchise record for 3s made in a season with 232 triples. A pretty wild feat and it helped him close out the regular season as an eighth-round value in 9-cat leagues.
The problem? He’s an unrestricted free agent this summer. It’ll be difficult to retain his services, as he’ll be one of the best backup point guards available. He can shoot, make plays and is a team-first role player that contenders could use to upgrade their depth. I’d like him to stay in Phoenix for fantasy purposes, but we’ll have to see how the summer shakes out.
The Future
Dynasty and 12-team managers, pay attention here. Oso Ighodaro played all 82 regular-season games, the first Sun to do so since Mikal Bridges in 2021-22. Ighodaro’s minutes and usage crept up late in the season and his performance was enough to take notice. The free-throw shooting is ugly, but the intangibles are pretty fantasy-friendly. Assists, steals, blocks and double-double upside.
Mark Williams is a restricted free agent this summer. He was solid when he actually played. He averaged almost 12 points with 8 rebounds and 2 stocks in just 23 minutes per night. He also missed 40 games and all of the postseason with a foot injury. That’s the issue with Williams, he’s always hurt. So, I see some sleeper potential in Ighodaro and possibly Kaman Maluach heading into next season.
The cap situation looks gross, meaning Phoenix will likely have to run it back with this squad once again. They have a first-round pick coming up in June, but Booker’s sucking up $57M, Green and Brooks combine for $57M, Grayson Allen makes $18M and they still have to pay Bradley Beal $19M until 2030. The chances of keeping Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin look slim unless a trade happens. This team won’t be a true contender, but they have a strong mix of youth and vets to contend for a spot among the top-10 teams in the West, while offering various level of fantasy value.
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