Jordan Ott’s high-octane system gains a massive athletic boost with Miles Bridges, leveraging rim-running and interior mismatches to stress defenses and create high-percentage scoring opportunities this season.
There are several variables that have potential to reshape the trajectory of the Phoenix Suns' season in 2026-27.
One of the variables that will remain unaffected?
The aggressive brand off offense levied via head coach Jordan Ott and his relentless adaptability.
While the Suns' defense (10th in defensive rating, 6th in points allowed in 2025-26) drove much of the 45-win campaign a season ago, the ultra-aggressive offensive layout certainly aided in the process in compliment.
Just how much does this philosophy have potential to serve Phoenix well in the season ahead?
Well, there might be an even higher ceiling over the next 82 games.
Ott's offense predicates around adapting to the personnel at hand. The advantage that the upcoming roster at-hand brings to the table is perhaps in the injection of athleticism that should only enhance what was already done well.
The addition of Miles Bridges inherently makes Phoenix a taller, stronger, and more tangibly athletic basketball squad. This addition alone gives Ott and the staff several avenues when it comes to curating advantages over opposing defenses.
The addition of Bridges (with buy-in) allows for Phoenix to push the pace and rim-run to a different degree this season, opening the door to win crucial "margins" stats. Bridges' combination of athleticism/playmaking capabilities also makes him an ideal candidate to benefit from the Suns' tactics to create downhill attacks - which in hand generates looks on the perimeter.
Lastly, Bridges, Oso Ighodaro, and Khaman Maluach all have prime opportunities to be the subject of Ott drawing up mismatches from inside the arc. Phoenix leveraging athleticism and strength advantages sets them up to get to the line more often, creating easy scoring opportunities while also further stressing opponents.
The resounding question lies in just how much the departures of Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale will negatively impact the offense. The pessimist will say that Phoenix will sink down the three-point volume/efficiency leaderboard alike.
What about the optimist?
The general take here is that the Suns' sheer advantages in physical traits that they pick up this season will stress opposing defenses more inside the arc - which will in response generate more room for spot-up opportunities. Expect Collin Gillespie and Luke Kennard to handle this responsibility with competence, while proven floor-spacers such as former three-point contest champ Devin Booker have a chance to re-up their three-point efforts with a minimal increase on the lines of the margin of error.
Only time will tell what comes of the newfound upside that is attached to the offense. However, Suns fans should feel confident in Ott's ability to get the most out of the personnel at hand.
