Phoenix Suns season preview: Opening schedule, win projection and everything to know for 2026-27

The 2026-27 NBA season is here! Check out our team previews, including power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy advice.

East:Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Detroit Pistons • Indiana Pacers • Miami Heat • Milwaukee Bucks • New York Knicks • Orlando Magic • Philadelphia 76ers • Toronto Raptors • Washington Wizards

West:Dallas Mavericks • Denver Nuggets • Golden State Warriors • Houston Rockets • LA Clippers • Los Angeles Lakers • Memphis Grizzlies • Minnesota Timberwolves • New Orleans Pelicans • Oklahoma City Thunder • Phoenix Suns • Portland Trail Blazers • Sacramento Kings • San Antonio Spurs • Utah Jazz

Record: 45-37 (8th in the West, lost 4-0 in first round to Thunder)

Draft: Koa Peat (No. 30)

Signings: Collin Gillespie (re-signed for 4 years, $48 million), Jordan Goodwin (re-signed for 3 years, $19 million), Mark Williams (re-signed for 3 years, $38 million), Luke Kennard (2 years, $13 million), Pat Spencer (two-way contract)

Trades: Miles Bridges (from Hornets)

Key departures: Grayson Allen (traded to Hornets), Royce O'Neale (traded to Hornets)

Current roster

What's exciting: KhamanMaluach looked like a different player in Las Vegas. He averaged 19.5 points and 12.8 rebounds while making eight of his 20 3s across four Summer League games. It's a tiny sample, but it was a vision of the versatile player the Suns hoped they were drafting with the 10th pick in 2025. Anytime a big can flush down lob dunks or pop for a 3, they offer a team an ability to play with dramatically different lineups. So if Malauch translates that success to the season, Suns head coach Jordan Ott will gain a lot of flexibility with the lineups he chooses to use.

What's concerning: Can Booker get back to superstar form? Last season, he posted his lowest effective field goal percentage since his third year. Despite his reputation as an elite shooter, he's made just 37.5% of his catch-and-shoot 3s since Chris Paul left. Booker's finishing regressed too. After shooting 63% at the rim over seven seasons, he dropped to 59% in 2024-25 and 56% in 2025-26, per Synergy Sports. Phoenix needs to find out whether this was an injury-related dip or the beginning of a decline. Booker's salary climbs from roughly $57 million this season to $69 million in 2029-30. If this is Booker's new normal, the Suns could get the supporting cast right and still be missing the superstar. — Kevin O'Connor 

Preseason Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up ahead of 2026-27

The center spot is the battle: Oso Ighodaro has both starts, but Khaman Maluach is playing more minutes (21 mpg versus 16 mpg) despite coming off the bench. With Mark Williams out until at least February, I'm hedging my bets on Maluach. Miles Bridges' ankle injury is not considered serious. — Dan Titus

Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Basketball league for the 2026-27 NBA season

Opening week: 10/21 at Blazers, 10/24 vs. Warriors

Complete schedule

39.5 — win total

+300 to win division

+15000 to win NBA Finals

Best case: No. 6 seed

A strong foundation was established last year, particularly on the defensive end. What if the young trio of Dunn/Fleming/Maluach each take steps within that context?

Booker was quite good last year without shooting particularly well from deep; what does a bounceback year look like for him, in addition to everything he already does well?

A sturdy defense, another year of winning the possession battle (crushing the offensive glass, forcing turnovers), internal development, and another All-NBA level campaign from Booker could have the Suns firmly in the playoff picture.

Worst case: Just outside the Play-In

This could simply be some combination of the league being more prepared for how the Suns want to guard, some scoring regression from Brooks, missing the 3-point shooting they sent out the building this summer, and other teams in the 7-11 range being more competitive. — Nekias Duncan

Read the full Pacific Division preview