What Does the Phoenix Suns' Starting 5 Lineup Look Like?
The Phoenix Suns are one of the oldest teams in the NBA and last season, their starting lineup was among the most expensive in the league. After failing to reach the Play-In or the playoffs, the Suns were aggressive this offseason, reshaping their roster around youth, defense, and experience in hopes of a stronger playoff push.
The Phoenix Suns briefly had their full starting lineup together in a November win over the Los Angeles Clippers, but it didn’t last long, Jalen Green re-injured his hamstring during the game. His return may not be far off, as recent reports indicate he has begun taking live reps. The Suns are targeting a potential return sometime in mid-January.
Below we dive into the Phoenix Suns' new starting five for the season.
| Position | Starter |
| Point Guard: | Collin Gillespie |
| Shooting Guard: | Devin Booker |
| Small Forward: | Grayson Allen |
| Power Forward: | Dillon Brooks |
| Center: | Mark Williams |
Point Guard Devin Booker
The three-time All-Star remains the heart of the franchise, bringing elite scoring, playmaking, and leadership to the floor. While Booker has spent time at both guard spots in recent seasons, he is back at shooting guard while Jalen Green remains out. Booker’s role could shift slightly throughout the season, but his place in the starting five is set in stone. Booker's odds to win MVP are off the board at sportsbooks in Arizona.
Shooting Guard Jalen Green
Jalen Green is very close to returning to the Suns’ lineup after missing significant time with a right hamstring strain, as he’s been upgraded to questionable and participated in full-court drills in practice. Phoenix coach Jordan Ott and teammates have stressed a cautious approach, but recent comments and status updates suggest he could re-enter the rotation imminently, likely starting with limited minutes before ramping up. His return will bring a major boost to Phoenix’s backcourt, pushing Collin Gillespie back to a bench role and restoring some of the Suns’ explosiveness next to Devin Booker.
Small Forward Dillon Brooks
Dillon Brooks steps in at power forward, bringing eight seasons of NBA experience and a steady veteran presence to a youthful roster. His dominant defense can disrupt opponents, while his ability to hit critical shots provides reliable scoring without interrupting the team’s offensive flow. Brooks’ debut with the Suns saw him score 22 points and grab four rebounds. He is currently averaging 21.3 PPG.
Power Forward Royce O'Neale
Here’s a current snapshot of the Suns’ lineup adjustment with Royce O’Neale starting at power forward while Dillon Brooks slides over to the small forward spot: Royce has been starting at the 4 in Phoenix’s most recent lineups, giving the Suns spacing and switchable defense with his 3-point shooting and versatile defensive skills. Shifting Brooks to small forward allows him to focus more on guarding wings and creating mismatches, while O’Neale’s experience and shooting help balance the frontcourt. This small-ball look aims to keep the offense fluid and the lineup flexible against bigger frontcourts, even if it sacrifices some traditional size at the 4.
Center Mark Williams
The Phoenix Suns landed a promising big man by acquiring Mark Williams from Charlotte last season. Williams brings a blend of productivity and athleticism as a strong rim-runner, pick-and-roll finisher, and offensive rebounder, addressing key needs for Phoenix. He averaged 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game last season, shooting a robust 60.4% from the field.
Examining the Phoenix Suns’ 2025-26 Bench
On top of changes to the starting five, the Suns’ bench also underwent adjustments. New addition Jordan Goodwin adds much-needed depth, while Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen provide steady contributions off the bench, often rotating into the starting five.
Below is how the Suns' bench stacks up this season.
| Position | 2nd | 3rd |
| Point Guard: | Colin Gillespie | Jamaree Bouyea |
| Shooting Guard: | Grayson Allen | Jordan Goodwin |
| Small Forward: | Jordan Goodwin | Royce O'Neale |
| Power Forward: | Ryan Dunn | Isaiah Livers |
| Center: | Oso Ighodaro | Nick Richards |
It’s a reset year in a competitive Western Conference, but if the pieces continue to click, Phoenix has the potential to return to playoff contention for the first time since their 2021 Finals appearance.
Who Is the Phoenix Suns’ 6th Man?
As mentioned above, Collin Gillespie is the frontrunner for Sixth Man of the Year on the Suns, with odds set at +2000. He signed with Phoenix in July 2024 and appeared in 33 games, averaging 5.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. This season, Gillespie has emerged as a reliable bench contributor, averaging 13.4 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.1 rebounds, highlighting his all-around offensive impact.
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Get to Know the Phoenix Suns' Front Office
| General Manager | Brian Gregory |
| Head Coach | Jordan Ott |
| Associate Head Coach | DeMarre Carroll |
Who Is the Phoenix Suns' Head Coach?
The Suns have appointed Jordan Ott, formerly an assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as their new head coach on a four-year deal. Ott brings 12 years of NBA experience, having served on coaching staffs in Atlanta, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and Cleveland. At his introductory press conference, Ott laid out a clear vision: a fast-paced offense, aggressive defense, and building trust through consistent effort and relationship. His arrival signals a fresh culture shift, a focus on structure, development, and competitive spirit, as the Suns enter a new era.
Who Is the Phoenix Suns’ General Manager?
After serving the Suns for two years, initially as a consultant and later as Vice President of Player Programming, Brian Gregory has been promoted to General Manager for the 2025–26 season. Though Gregory lacked direct NBA front-office experience, Gregory made an immediate impact in Phoenix by overseeing the draft selections of Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro in 2024, while also spearheading a comprehensive player development system.
Phoenix Suns Starting 5 FAQs
When fully healthy, the Phoenix Suns’ starting lineup for the 2025–26 season features point guard Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Royce O'Neale, and Mark Williams. The bench is loaded with young talent, providing valuable depth to support the starting lineup this season.
Kevin Durant was the Suns' leading scorer last season, averaging 26.6 points per game. Devin Booker came in second on the list, averaging 25.6 points per game. With Durant gone, Devin Booker is Phoenix's leading scorer this season, averaging 25.3 PPG.
Collin Gillespie is currently the Phoenix Suns’ player in the running for Sixth Man of the Year. Averaging 13.2 points per game this season, he’s been a reliable offensive presence off the bench. Gillespie has been getting more playing time, filling in for key players as they deal with injuries.
The best Suns players of all time include the likes of Paul Westphal, Grant Hill, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Charles Barkley, Paul Westphal, Charlie Scott, Connie Hawkins, and Gus Johnson. You can add Devin Booker to the list after he became the Suns’ all-time leading scorer in February of 2025.
Mat Ishbia is the majority owner of the Phoenix Suns, having acquired the team in a landmark $4 billion sale approved by the NBA on February 6, 2023. Ishbia, a successful businessman and former CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage, brings a new era of leadership to the Suns,
Brian Gregory takes over as the new General Manager of the Phoenix Suns, following his tenure as the team’s Vice President of Player Programming. In his new role, Gregory will oversee roster construction, player development, and day-to-day basketball operations, shaping the Suns’ competitive direction.
Author
Calli is lifelong resident of Arizona and has been an avid sports fan since she can remember. After earning her Bachelor’s degrees from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University, she combined her passion for journalism and sports. Calli has covered the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAAF, college sports, and sports betting for several media outlets.
