MACAU, CHINA – Dillon Brooks
isn’t known for backing down. But when he was traded to the Phoenix
Suns this summer, the veteran forward didn’t waste time trying to
find his footing – he went straight to the source.
“It’s been easy,” Brooks
told BasketballNews.com during the NBA China Games in Macau. “My first
call when I got traded was to (Book), trying to get acquainted.
It’s better for me.”
The trade that brought Brooks to
Phoenix was part of one of the offseason’s biggest shakeups. The
Suns sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, acquiring Brooks,
Jalen Green, and draft capital in return. For a team that missed
the 2025 Play-In Tournament and entered the summer with more
questions than answers, the move signaled a shift toward youth,
defense, and a reset in culture.
Brooks, 29, arrives with a
reputation that precedes him – a fiery competitor, a relentless
defender, and a player unafraid to toe the line between confidence
and chaos. But for all the noise that often surrounds him, Brooks’
arrival in Phoenix feels different. He’s not being asked to be the
agitator. He’s being asked to be a tone-setter alongside one of the
league’s most consistent stars in Devin Booker.
And from the sound of it, the
two have already formed a connection.
After stints in Memphis and
Houston, Brooks lands in Phoenix at an interesting time. The Suns
have transitioned from championship contention to identity
building. Gone are Durant and Bradley Beal, replaced by a roster
built around Booker, Green, and Brooks – a trio that blends
scoring, youth, and toughness.
In Houston, Brooks averaged 14.0
points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists last season while shooting a
career-high 39.7% from deep. But what Phoenix values most is his
edge – the defensive intensity and accountability that helped
stabilize a young Rockets team under Ime Udoka.
For the Suns, who ranked in the
bottom third of the league defensively last season, Brooks’ arrival
represents more than just numbers. It’s about attitude.
That’s exactly what Booker has
been asking for. As the longest-tenured Sun, Booker has become both
the voice and heartbeat of the organization. Having a player like
Brooks beside him – one who’s both vocal and battle-tested – could
give Phoenix the emotional jolt it’s been missing.
Book and Brooks: A new chapter in the valley and
building chemistry
Brooks’ comment about calling
Booker first may seem small, but it speaks volumes about intent as
this is the first time they’ll share an NBA locker room. “He’s been
like a big brother to me, taking me under his wing,” Brooks shared.
(We’re) always talking every single day, (and it’s good) being able
to play beside him and not being able to guard him,” Brooks said in
jest.
Booker, now entering his tenth
season, has quietly evolved into the kind of leader who balances
accountability with mentorship. For Brooks, that relationship could
help smooth his transition and reshape his image from “villain” to
veteran leader.
Their synergy will be key for
Phoenix, especially as head coach Jordan Ott experiments with
defensive combinations and lineups around his new core. Brooks’
ability to guard the opposing team’s best wing should free Booker
to focus more on offense – a shift that could benefit both players
and the team overall.
Phoenix enters the 2025-26
season with measured expectations but renewed energy. With Booker
leading the way, Green bringing athleticism and upside, and Brooks
infusing defensive bite, the Suns have the makings of a team that
can compete nightly – even without a superstar trio.
For Brooks, the goal is simple:
embrace the city, connect with his teammates, and prove that his
fire can fuel winning.
He’s already made one thing
clear – he’s found comfort in the Valley.
“Getting acquainted with Phoenix
is easy – love the city, love the fans, and I can’t wait for the
season.”
