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 one was one of the most expensive in the league. But after failing to make the Play-In and the playoffs, the Suns have been active this offseason. After a major trade and smart acquisitions, the Suns are reshaping their team around youth, defense, and experience for a strong playoff push.
With the season still months away, we won't know who the starting lineup will be until closer to the season. We have our predictions below.
| Position | Starter |
| Point Guard: | Collin Gillespie |
| Shooting Guard: | Devin Booker |
| Small Forward: | Jalen Green |
| Power Forward: | Nick Richards |
| Center: | Mark Williams |
Point Guard Collin Gillespie
With talks that Bradley Beal may be traded before the start of the season, and the re-signing of Collin Gillespie, we predict that Gillespie will take over as the starting point guard. In his four starts with Phoenix, he averaged about 6.7 points, 4.3 assists, and 3 rebounds, while maintaining a stellar assist-to-turnover ratio (13-to-1). Collin Gillespie is making a strong case for a permanent starting role at point guard for Phoenix.
Shooting 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 may return to his natural shooting guard role this year, depending on who Phoenix puts at point guard. With roster changes still in motion, Booker’s role could shift slightly, but his place in the starting five is set in stone. Booker has +18000 odds to win MVP at sportsbooks in Arizona.
Small Forward Jalen Green
Fresh off a blockbuster trade that brought him to Phoenix alongside Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 pick in exchange for Kevin Durant, Jalen Green looks poised to slot into the Suns’ starting small forward role. His athleticism, scoring flair—highlighted by game-winning 40‑point bursts—and durable court presence make him an instant upgrade on the wing. The young guard brings star upside, youthful energy, and a new dimension to the Suns’ backcourt in 2025–26.
Power Forward Nick Richards
Phoenix made a savvy move by keeping Nick Richards and slotting him into the power forward spot, while fresh acquisitions are expected to anchor the center role. The athletic forward, acquired mid‑season from Charlotte, quickly proved his worth. In nine starts, Richards averaged 11.3 pts, 10.2 reb, and shot over 61% from the field.
Center Mark Williams
The Phoenix Suns landed a promising big man by acquiring Mark Williams from Charlotte. Williams brings a blend of productivity and athleticism—he’s a strong rim-runner, pick-and-roll finisher, and offensive rebounder, addressing a key deficiency 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
Since we are unsure who the Phoenix Suns starting lineup will be, that leaves the rest of the bench in question as well. Once we get closer to the season and Phoenix has a more set roster, we will update this section.
Below is how the Suns' bench stacked up last season.
| Position | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
| Point Guard: | Tyus Jones | Collin Gillespie | Ty Ty Washington Jr. |
| Shooting Guard: | Collin Gillespie | Grayson Allen | Devin Booker |
| Small Forward: | Grayson Allen | Cody Martin | Royce O'Neale |
| Power Forward: | Royce O'Neale | Bol Bol | Ryan Dunn |
| Center: | Oso Ighodaro | Mason Plumlee | Kevin Durant |
The Suns dealt with several injuries throughout the season, impacting the starting 5 and bench. Phoenix had the second-most expensive roster in NBA history, but it didn't help them as they ended the season below .500 and without a playoff berth.
Who Is the Phoenix Suns’ 6th Man?
Grayson Allen has been in the NBA since 2018, when he was drafted by the Utah Jazz. The Milwaukee Bucks traded Allen to the Suns in September 2023. Allen is a key player on both ends of the court. One of Allen's greatest strengths is his shooting beyond the arc, which has come in handy late in the game. The Suns got a victory against the Jazz in February thanks to Allen's buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Allen will be back as he signed a four-year contract extension in April of 2024.
If you're considering betting on Allen to win NBA awards like the sixth man award (or on the Suns to win the Finals or the West), make sure to use the best Arizona sportsbook promos available today. While we are in the offseason, not all sportsbooks will include all odds.
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
The Suns’ starting lineup for the 2025–26 season is still in question, with major roster changes already made and the offseason far from over. One thing is certain: when healthy, Devin Booker will always be a starter for the Suns.
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. We predict Jalen Green or Devin Booker to be Phoenix's leading scorer this coming season.
The Suns' 6th man last year was Grayson Allen. He averaged 10.6 PPG. Allen signed a four-year contract extension in 2024. If Allen doesn't move up to starter, he could be in the running for the Suns' 6th man again.
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.
Mat Ishbia is the majority owner of the Phoenix Suns. The NBA approved the $4 billion sale to Ishbia on February 6, 2023.
Brian Gregory is the new General Manager of the Phoenix Suns after previously serving as the team's Vice President of Player Programming. James Jones is now a senior advisor for the Phoenix Suns.
Author
Wes is an editor and writer for BetArizona.com. Based out of the Kansas City area, Wes has covered sports professionally since 2015 with a strong emphasis on sports betting and the NFL, though he's also covered pro wrestling, UFC, college sports and more.
