ESPN’s early 2026-27 season preview for the Phoenix Suns reads like a reminder that sometimes the biggest offseason story is what didn’t change. In the piece published Aug. 27, 2026, ESPN says the Suns made only slight tweaks this summer, while bringing back Dillon Brooks and franchise stalwart Devin Booker. That kind of continuity can matter in the NBA, especially for a team trying to move up from the middle of the Western Conference.
The context around Phoenix is pretty clear in ESPN’s recap: the Suns finished 45-37 and went out in the first round of the playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder as the No. 8 seed. That’s the kind of season that leaves a team with something to build on, but also plenty of room to climb. ESPN frames the next step as a leap out of the West’s middle tier, which is easier said than done in a conference where every small edge seems to get magnified.
One of the biggest swing factors, according to ESPN, is Jalen Green’s availability. The preview notes that hamstring issues limited him for most of the 2025-26 campaign, so his health could shape how much juice this roster really has. That’s the sort of detail that can change the feel of an entire season: if a key player is available, the ceiling looks different; if not, the margin for error gets awfully thin.
ESPN also points to the Suns’ on-court continuity and their less splashy moves as possible positives. That’s not the loudest offseason headline, but it can be the kind of approach that helps a team settle in and find a rhythm. The outlet’s early read suggests Phoenix may be better served by pushing into the middle seeds of the playoffs than by getting stuck in the play-in-to-exit cycle that can come with a tough path in the West.
There’s also a little more to watch on the roster front. ESPN lists key additions as Miles Bridges, Koa Peat and Luke Kennard, while noting that the Suns made some important contract decisions this summer. Put together, it’s a picture of a team that didn’t overhaul everything, but did enough to make the next stretch worth watching closely.
For Suns fans, that’s probably the real hook here. The offseason didn’t bring a giant reset, and ESPN’s preview suggests Phoenix is betting that steadiness, health and a few smart additions can add up to something better than last spring’s finish. In a crowded Western Conference, that’s a reasonable place to start.
