Devin Booker stands as the central figure in the Phoenix Suns’ plans for future success, with the team fully committed to building around his talents. To unlock his full potential and turn the Suns into championship contenders, assembling a core group of players who excel defensively and provide strong playmaking support is essential.
Booker’s performance, especially on defense, suffered last season, largely due to systemic issues and the shortened preparation period. However, glimpses from the Olympics revealed his capacity to contribute defensively at a high level, underscoring the importance of establishing the right environment and personnel. For the Suns to maximize their star guard’s impact, it is clear they need a lineup that complements his scoring ability with elite defense and playmaking.
Assessing Past Lineups to Find the Ideal Team Composition
Over the past several years, Phoenix has experienced a range of lineup successes and failures. To understand what player combinations fit Booker best, analyzing the team’s historical five-man groups provides valuable insight. By filtering those lineups with sufficient minutes, the Suns can identify patterns in which types of players elevate overall team performance beyond individual talent.
Using DARKO Plus-Minus (DPM), a comprehensive advanced statistic that measures contribution on both ends of the court, analysts can quantify player impact. By comparing combined player DPM scores against the lineup’s net rating, a “synergy” metric emerges, indicating teams that outperform the sum of their parts. This approach highlights the importance of fit, not just individual ability.
One standout lineup from last season played 88 minutes together and was driven by exceptional defense: Tyus Jones’ stingy perimeter guarding, Mason Plumlee’s rim protection, and Cameron Johnson’s efficient, low-turnover play resulted in a defensive rating of just 99.9, well below the league average. Offensively, their strategy incorporated a facilitating point guard complemented by floor-spacing wings, pushing the pace and minimizing errors.
New coach Jordan Ott’s emphasis on speeding up the offense aligns perfectly with this approach, suggesting that a similar fast-paced, defensively sound lineup would benefit Booker and the Suns moving forward.
Another influential lineup, during the 2019-20 season with Deandre Ayton in his second year, illustrated the value of a pass-first point guard like Ricky Rubio. This arrangement allowed Booker to flourish as a finisher rather than a primary creator, enabled by floor spacing and solid team defense. The presence of a shooting center like Frank Kaminsky helped pull opposing big men away from the paint, creating more driving opportunities for Booker.
However, not every well-talented lineup maximized its potential. The Suns’ most frequently deployed five-man group over the last five years combined a total DPM of 12.95 but only achieved a net rating of +7. A key issue was the offensive downgrade when Cameron Johnson was replaced by Jae Crowder, who, despite being a capable 3-and-D player, was less effective at spacing and transition play. Crowder’s limitations in this specific role, along with frontcourt fit issues alongside Ayton, likely curtailed the lineup’s overall efficiency.
Characterizing the Ideal Roles Surrounding Booker
The analysis reveals recurring archetypes essential in complementing Booker’s elite scoring talents. Foremost is a point guard who excels at playmaking and defense rather than scoring. Whether it was the low-turnover Tyus Jones, the pace-driving Cam Payne, or pass-first veterans like Ricky Rubio and Chris Paul, the pattern is clear: Booker thrives when freed from primary ball-handling responsibilities to focus on scoring.
On the wing, the ideal small forward is a versatile defender capable of guarding the opponent’s best perimeter threats while also spacing the floor. Mikal Bridges embodied this role effectively for Phoenix, and younger players like Ryan Dunn show promise as future elite defenders and role players. This protective presence allows Booker to conserve energy and focus on his offensive output.
The power forward role requires a player who stretches the floor with consistent three-point shooting, offers defensive versatility within switching schemes, and contributes to rebounding, all with minimal offensive burden. Players such as Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder have served in this capacity, opening lanes and maintaining balance between perimeter defense and frontcourt presence.
When considering the center position, the Suns’ history shows flexibility in fit. If the lineup already boasts extensive floor spacing, a traditional rim protector who can anchor the defense and finish lobs provides value. Deandre Ayton, Mason Plumlee, and Javale McGee exemplify this archetype. Alternatively, if spacing is lacking, a floor-spacing center like Frank Kaminsky, capable of maintaining defensive integrity while enhancing offensive dynamics, can be the key.
Evaluating the Current Suns Roster
Looking at Phoenix’s current roster, several players fit these archetypes well, providing a foundation for the team’s rebuild:
- Devin Booker – Star scorer and core anchor
- Collin Gillespie – Low usage, pass-first facilitator at point guard
- Dillon Brooks – Defensive disruptor on the wing
- Ryan Dunn – Emerging defensive specialist
- Royce O’Neale – Versatile two-way forward
- Rasheer Fleming – Versatile two-way forward
- Mark Williams – Defensive anchor and roll-man at center
- Khaman Maluach – Rim-protecting center and roll-man
- Oso Ighodaro – Defensive-oriented center/roll-man
This group offers a solid base of defensive talent and playmaking potential, especially if the Suns focus on developing their center rotation and enhancing Dunn’s three-point shooting. Realistically, Phoenix’s trajectory points to contention around the 2028-29 season, giving these younger players time to mature into their respective roles.
A critical question remains about Jalen Green, the team’s second-highest-paid player, who is currently utilized out of position as a point guard. Maximizing the Suns’ limited assets requires positioning Green where he can contribute best or leveraging his trade value to address key needs in the backcourt and frontcourt.
Even though Booker’s playmaking has significantly improved, relinquishing primary ball-handling duties to a more traditional facilitator remains the preferred strategy to unlock his full scoring capability. The Suns face a choice between immediate competitiveness or building a sustainable, title-contending team over the long term.
Targeting Future Additions to Complete the Core
Ideal Profile for the Starting Point Guard
The Suns are in search of a younger Jrue Holiday-type player—someone elite defensively with solid playmaking skills. Dyson Daniels, a 2025 Defensive Player of the Year candidate, fits this profile perfectly. While Atlanta might resist moving him due to their backcourt synergy with Trae Young, Daniels would be a prime acquisition if their roster situation shifts.
Andrew Nembhard, a proven high-IQ guard known for low turnovers and smart decision-making, also fits this mold. Entering his prime around Phoenix’s defined window, Nembhard embodies the low-usage defensive facilitator the Suns desire. His playstyle overlaps less with Tyrese Haliburton on the Pacers, potentially making him a more attainable target. If Phoenix pivots towards prioritizing scoring on the wing, Nembhard could also become a tradeable piece in that strategy.
Targeting an Ideal Versatile Power Forward
Keegan Murray stands out as a nearly perfect two-way forward for Phoenix’s blueprint. His accurate catch-and-shoot three-point shooting (career 37.2%), versatile defense across multiple forward positions, and rebounding ability make him an excellent fit. He excels in a low-usage role off the ball, complementing Booker’s offensive dominance. Murray is a valuable asset for Sacramento, so acquiring him would likely require strategic negotiation, possibly contingent on the Kings’ willingness to rebuild.
Another intriguing candidate is Isaiah Todd, noted for elite athleticism, rapid transition play, and growing three-point proficiency. His defensive versatility suits switching schemes, and he offers high-energy rebounding and lob finishing. Todd is reasonably priced compared to Murray and could seize greater minutes and role responsibility in Phoenix. However, Indiana’s current power forward depth, built around Pascal Siakam and young talent Jarace Walker, may constraint his availability without a trade.
Visualizing a Future Suns Starting Five
The projected lineup encapsulating Phoenix’s future core might resemble:
Andrew Nembhard – Devin Booker – Ryan Dunn – Keegan Murray – Khaman Maluach
With Mark Williams and Collin Gillespie providing depth, the Suns could leverage additional assets to bolster the roster around this group, especially during Booker’s prime years. Central to this vision is surrounding Booker with defensive tenacity and smart playmaking, enabling him to reclaim his scoring supremacy.
Long-Term Strategy: Building Through Fit and Development
History confirms that assembling talent alone does not guarantee championships; it is the fitting of complementary skillsets that creates added value, while mismatched lineups weaken potential. The Suns must therefore prioritize the internal development of promising players alongside astute coaching to cultivate a cohesive and resilient culture.
To speed contention, Phoenix must demonstrate discipline and intelligence in asset management. This involves aggressively pursuing the ideal starting point guard and long-term power forward archetypes while remaining open to moving players who no longer fit the team’s vision, including Jalen Green if necessary. The path to a championship lies in constructing a balanced, defensively formidable lineup around Devin Booker rather than chasing shortcuts through high-profile signings.
The future for Devin Booker and the Suns is full of hope and promise, but realizing a championship requires patience, precision, and passionate execution in building the right defensive and playmaking core to support their star. With a clear blueprint and focused effort, Phoenix could once again rise to the summit of the Western Conference and challenge for NBA glory.