Suns Aim for Championship Contention in 2025-26โ Season Following Offseason Moves
The Phoenix Suns enterโ the 2025-26 NBA seasonโฃ with heightened expectations following an active offseason focused on bolstering depth and developing young talent around established stars. Afterโฃ a preseasonโฃ glimpseโข at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., on October 3, 2025, the Suns appear poised to contend for a championship, though navigating theโข competitive โขWestern Conference will be a important challenge.
This season โคmarks a pivotalโข moment for the franchise โคas they integrate new pieces and aim to capitalize on the prime years of theirโค coreโข players. โคThe success ofโฃ the Sunsโฃ hinges on the development of their bench, the health โof key contributors,โข andโฃ their ability to translate preseason promise into regular-season consistency. โThe team’s outlook is further shaped by a blend of veteran leadership โand emerging prospects, creating a โdynamic roster withโข a highโ ceiling.
The Suns’ roster features a mix of established players and promising newcomers. oso โIghodaro, aโข smaller five withโ a uniqueโ skillset, is expected to provide valuable minutes while โขmaintaining โขan offensive focus inside the โขpaint. Jordan Goodwin brings a “bulldog mentality” and has shownโข improvement as a three-pointโ shooter. Khaman Maluach, who turned 19 in September, offers a lob threatโค and energetic presence, while also demonstrating strong โdialog skills.
Further depth comes from Rasheer Fleming,a long andโข athletic player who could prove to be aโ draft steal if he develops his three-point shot,defensive abilities,and offensive rebounding. Kobyโค Brea is already in contention for the team’s best shooter, and Isaiah Liversโ is returningโ after missing last season due to a hip reshaping procedure.CJโค Huntley is anticipated to spend considerableโ time with the G League’s Valley Suns, gaining valuable experience.
Looking ahead, โคSuns โขInsider Duane Rankin โคcan โขbe reached atโ dmrankin@gannett.com or 480-810-5518, and followed on X at @DuaneRankin.
