Collin Gillespie highlights how newfound roster stability and strategic "glue guys" aim to liberate the five-time All-Star from years of coaching turnover and revolving-door rotations.
The Phoenix Suns are building towards a future in which they return to contention after a 36-win 2024-25 season set the franchise back.
One of the only mainstays over the last decade is shooting guard Devin Booker, who is entering his 12th season with the Suns.
Booker, 29, is experiencing the benefits of something rosters surrounding him typically don't have heading into the season as well - continuity.
Teammate Collin Gillespie joined the PHNX Suns podcast earlier in the week to discuss a myriad of topics, including about making life easier for the five-time All-Star in the season to come.
Gillespie isn't exactly wrong. The first five seasons of Booker's career were marred by coaching changes, the organization striking out on draft picks, and playing with a revolving door at point guard.
By the time Monty Williams was hired as head coach of the Suns in 2019, Booker had already played under four head coaches. Following the firing of Williams, Booker played for two coaches in as many seasons. The never-ending revolving door in the coaching department is arguably the main contributing factor in the volatility that the franchise has displayed over the last four seasons.
As far as the roster goes, Booker shared the court with 70 unique teammates over his first five seasons. This included Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender, Isaiah Canaan, and Troy Daniels - among others. While Booker has shared the floor with incredible players such as all-time point guard Chris Paul, these pairings rarely last. Current New York Knicks star Mikal Bridges is the player who has the most on-court time with Booker (331 games), showing the extend that impermanence that exists within the Suns' organization.
The tide is turning to an extent despite this.
Phoenix is leaning heavily into continuity. The coaching staff is the exact same in comparison to head coach Jordan Ott's first season. The roster is largely the same as last season as well. The presence of "glue guys" such as Gillespie, second-year Sun Dillon Brooks, and the scrappy Jordan Goodwin is opening the door for the Kentucky alum to be at his best over the next 82 games.
Phoenix did make some tweaks, including trading for former lottery pick Miles Bridges and signing sharpshooter Luke Kennard. In theory, these players will fit quite well with Booker, but continuity isn't 100% in fold. This opens the door for some slight growing pains to be exposed.
The first opportunity to see the semi new-look roster is on October 5 in the preseason opener.
