Jalen Green says the Suns are on the right path
Jalen Green talks about growing during the off-season and having a good relationship with teammates.
Diannie Chavez and Diana Payan/The Republic
The Phoenix Suns introduced their roster for the team’s rebuild entering the 2025-26 season at the team’s media day at PHX Arena on Sept. 24.
Here are some of the highlights from Devin Booker and the Suns during their press conference.
Booker unmoved by media’s low expectations for Suns
Many in the NBA media don’t expect the Suns to make the 2026 playoffs or become a contender again soon in the loaded Western Conference.
“I honestly didn’t see it or what you’re talking about, but yeah, that is the main goal,” Booker said about the preseason predictions about the Suns. “We know the expectations aren’t high.”
Through Booker’s 11 years all in Phoenix, he’s played on basement-dwelling teams early in his career, lost in the 2021 NBA Finals to Milwaukee, experienced an early playoff exit after being a No. 1 overall seed during their franchise-record 64 wins in 2022 and falling short of championship expectations with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
I asked Devin Booker about the media’s 2025-26 season predictions that have Suns low in West standings, which he “didn’t see” but there’s a “main goal” with his voice:
“We know the expectations aren’t high. They’re gonna say we’re a young team and it’s a perfect seat to be in.” pic.twitter.com/dlwcoFNGb0
— DANA (@iam_DanaScott) September 24, 2025
Booker, who signed a $145 million contract extension through the 2029-30 season, said he has”unfinished business” playing for the Suns.
“They’re gonna say we’re a young team and it’s a perfect seat to be in,” Booker said. “We just keep it in-house. We’ll continue to grow, understand how much my voice among the younger team that we have now matters. So it’s my job to handle that.”
Gregory’s relationship with ex-Suns GM Jones remains intact
After seven years as the Suns GM, James Jones was demoted to a senior advisor role in May until his contract expired in June. Jones was replaced by Brian Gregory, who praised Jones for teaching him about the draft and evaluating talent for Gregory’s previous job as the Suns’ director of player programming when he was hired in 2023.
In July, Jones was named the NBA’s executive vice president of Basketball Operations, replacing Hall of Famer Joe Dumars.
“I get just as many emails from James now as I did before, in his new role, and congratulations to him,” Gregory said.
Gregory praised Jones’ wisdom and the respect he has around the league to become its top disciplinarian, enforcing the league’s rules, such as handing out team and player fines.
“To his credit, to the organization’s credit, he’s now be able to move into the new role with the NBA, which he will do a tremendous job,” Gregory said. “He knows the game, he knows the league, he’s great with people. All those things are so critical in the role that he’s has now with the NBA, and we’re gonna spend a lot of time together working on stuff.”
Asked Suns GM Brian Gregory if James Jones, who Gregory replaced in June 2025, being the NBA’s new EVP of Basketball Ops is a win reflecting the Suns organization.
Gregory said, “I just as many emails from
James now as I did before,” and learned a lot from him the past 2 years. pic.twitter.com/SYrzOes3LB
— DANA (@iam_DanaScott) September 24, 2025Green committed to putting Suns ‘back on track’
Booker’s new backcourt mate Jalen Green is not only a dynamic scorer with hops (career average 20.1 points per game) but also one of the league’s most durable players. He’s played all 82 games in each of the past two seasons, and 76 during this second year for his former team Houston Rockets.
“I think the game has slowed down for me a lot more,” Green said. “I think there’s still a lot of ways for me to go, or a lot of things I still need to learn.”
Green came to Phoenix with Dillon Brooks from Houston in the Kevin Durant trade in June. He had his first playoff appearance last season, but Houston lost to Golden State in the first round.
“Overall, last year was one of my better seasons coming up,” Green said, adding that he learned a lot from the experience that he can bring to Phoenix.
“What I learned and bringing it here, whether it’s the mentality, playing hard or scoring, whatever is needed to be done, just bringing it here and trying to get the Suns back on track.”
Jalen Green explains at Suns media day how he sees the NBA game slowed down for him during his career year in the 2024-25 season with Rockets until now. pic.twitter.com/Tr5P2RGoKQ
— DANA (@iam_DanaScott) September 24, 2025Brooks was meant to be with Suns
Dillon Brooks said he feels comfortable in Phoenix. Back in Dec. 2018, he almost was traded to the Suns as part of a three-team deal involving his former team, the Grizzlies, but it fell through. Before that season when Brooks was at the end of his rookie contract, he worked out in Phoenix at Arizona Compass Prep with local basketball trainer B.J. Letcher.
He landed here this summer as part of the Durant trade to Houston.
“My agency’s out here, so it feels like home,” Brooks said.
He added, “And then being traded, I was happy, I was confident, I was ready. This whole summer’s been more about being diligent in my craft, being able to produce more on the offensive end, and then adding to my game as well so I can be an offensive threat.”
Dillon Brooks spoke at Suns media day about the 2019 botched trade attempt between Suns and Grizzlies that involved him and ex-teammate MarShon Brooks, Phoenix “feels like home” because his agency is based there, and used to work out in @AZCompass_Prep with trainer @BjLetcher. pic.twitter.com/emPoZRpbkn
— DANA (@iam_DanaScott) September 24, 2025Williams seeks revenge on Hornets, Lakers
Mark Williams ended up with the Suns after almost being traded to the Lakers during last season. On Feb. 6, the 23-year-old center was dealt to Los Angeles for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and picks. But Williams didn’t pass the Lakers’ physical, so they rescinded the trade and he returned to the Hornets.
Then, during June’s draft, Williams was acquired by Phoenix.
“Just to be where you’re wanted is always great,” Williams said. “To be here is exciting. Charlotte is where I was drafted to, so there was a belief in me at some point. Once you traded me the first time, it was only a matter of time before I was gone so I kind of knew that was coming. So I just tend to make them regret that decision every time I’m on the court.”
Williams is also rejoining his former Hornets teammate and the Suns’ starting big Nick Richards. Three days before the Suns traded for Richards on Jan. 15, Williams had one of his best performances ever in Phoenix: 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting, added 16 rebounds, four assists and a block in the Hornets’ 120-113 loss.
“It’s always helpful when you have someone that you know on your team,” Williams said. “When I played here last year, I was definitely feeling good. I hope to have a lot more games like that in that arena and on the road, too.”