The 2026-27 season is nearly upon the Phoenix Suns. 

As the Suns begin the 82-game regular season stretch on Wednesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers with many questions to answer on the heels of a playoff appearance last season.

Among these questions are what personnel groupings will be most effective, which players will step up, and if the Suns will remain a quality three-point shooting team. 

Through these questions and concerns, there are individual players posturing for career years, to make a new statement, or to prove they can adapt to a new role.

Below are our picks for four different team awards in the 2026-27 season, with what's above in mind.

There's a reasonable case to mention Dillon Brooks here, as the second-year Sun is the emotional core of the team.

However, Booker is still the face of the franchise and the unquestioned best player on the team.

Expect the 12th-year guard to continue pushing the 26-29 points per game range, while also putting a ever-growing playmaking arsenal on display.

The difference between Booker's efficiency output in 2024-25 and 2026-26 might be the difference between the Suns being a top six or play-in squad in the season to come.

This is a two-fold winner here. Several names come to mind as worthy winners, but Maluach is the most enticing of all. 

The Duke product is competing with the player below, as well as Brooks. Even through this, the 20-year-old center has the most upside on the defensive side of the ball. This is due to his evolving levels of awareness, shot blocking prowess, and elite rebounding skills that are readying to translate.

As far as the most improved player goes, his offensive upside is perhaps more tantalizing. Maluach's ability as a rim runner, floor-spacing potential, and offensive rebounding sensibilities all make a jump on that end possible as well.

The Suns give out this award in the name of franchise legend Dan Majerle. There has perhaps been no player in the history of the Suns that encapsulates the meaning of this award more than Goodwin. 

The guard/forward is one of the best "hustlers" across the entire NBA. The sheer number of deflections, 50/50 balls secured, and shots changed on the heels of pure will is astonishing. 

Expect Goodwin to further endear himself to the Phoenix fanbase over the next 82 games.