Honestly, if you told a Phoenix fan back in October that the team would be sitting at 25-17 near the midway point of the 2025-26 season, they’d probably ask what you were drinking. Most of the "experts" had this squad pegged for the lottery after the massive Kevin Durant trade to Houston. But here we are in January 2026, and the Phoenix Suns recent news is actually... good? Mostly.
It's been a wild ride. We just saw Devin Booker return to the lineup on Saturday night against the Knicks after a scary ankle sprain kept him out of a rough loss to Detroit. The energy in Madison Square Garden was electric, and having Book back on the floor basically changes everything for how this offense functions. Without him, the Suns look like a car trying to run on three wheels—lopsided and prone to stalling out in the fourth quarter.
Why the Suns Aren't Actually Sellers at the Deadline
There is so much noise right now about the trade deadline. People see a team that traded its biggest superstar (Durant) and assume they’re in "burn it down" mode. But Mat Ishbia doesn’t really do "burn it down." The latest reports from NBA insiders like Jake Fischer suggest Phoenix might actually be "sneaky buyers."
Think about that for a second.
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The team is currently hovering around the 6th or 7th seed in a brutal Western Conference. They have mid-tier contracts—guys like Nick Richards and Grayson Allen—that can be bundled together. Rival executives are apparently keeping a close eye on Phoenix because they have the flexibility to go after a needle-mover.
The Jalen Green Paradox
But here’s the thing most people are missing: the "biggest trade" the Suns can make might just be getting Jalen Green healthy.
Green was the crown jewel of the Durant trade. He’s got that "it" factor, but his hamstring has been a nightmare this season. He’s only played a handful of games. Coach Jordan Ott mentioned recently that Green is finally back to 5-on-5 drills. If he comes back and plays like the 29-point-per-game scorer we saw briefly against the Clippers, that’s better than any trade you’re going to find on the market for an expiring contract.
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Breaking Down the Current Roster Vibes
It’s a weird mix of players, right? You’ve got:
- Devin Booker: The undisputed sun in the center of the solar system.
- Dillon Brooks: Love him or hate him, he’s been huge. He’s averaging over 21 points and bringing a "villain" energy that this franchise desperately needed after being called "soft" for years.
- The Big Men: Mark Williams and Nick Richards have turned Phoenix into the 2nd best offensive rebounding team in the league.
The defense is actually top-tier too. They’re currently ranked 5th in opponent points per game. That’s not a fluke. Jordan Ott has these guys playing a physical, grinding style that is the complete opposite of the "Seven Seconds or Less" era.
What Really Happened in the Detroit Loss?
The loss to the Pistons on January 15th was a wake-up call. No Booker. No Jalen Green. The Suns' net rating drops by nearly 7 points when Booker isn't on the floor. It was ugly. They were 6.5-point underdogs and played like it, getting bullied by Detroit’s size. It proved that while the depth is better than expected, the "floor" for this team is still dangerously low if the stars aren't dressed.
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Actionable Insights for Suns Fans
If you're following the Phoenix Suns recent news to see where this season is headed, here is what you actually need to watch over the next two weeks:
- The Luxury Tax Line: Mat Ishbia has shown he’s willing to spend, but the Suns are right on the border. If they make a move for a guy like Bobby Portis (whose name has been floating around), it signals they are all-in on a playoff run this year.
- Jalen Green’s Return Date: Don't expect him to play 35 minutes immediately. Watch for a "minutes restriction" announcement. The goal is to have him peaking by April, not re-injuring that hamstring in February.
- Rotation Tightening: Coach Ott is still experimenting with guys like Oso Ighodaro and Collin Gillespie. Expect the rotation to shrink to 8 or 9 players as we get closer to the All-Star break.
The Suns aren't the championship favorites they were two years ago, but they're arguably more interesting now. They're gritty, they're overachieving, and they have just enough trade chips to make the rest of the West very nervous.
Check the injury report before the upcoming Brooklyn and Philly games. If Booker stays healthy and Green finally suits up, the "sneaky buyer" talk might turn into "legitimate contender" talk faster than you think. Keep an eye on the Nick Richards rumors—if he’s moved, it’s almost certainly for a wing player who can shoot.