These Phoenix Suns Standouts Are Major Wild Cards for 2026–27 Season

There is much in order for the Phoenix Suns (roster wise) ahead of the opening of training camp later this month.

While the personnel is in place, there are still several areas to figure out in regards to the said roster. 

This includes minute distribution, solidifying roles, and figuring out which players perform the best alongside one another. This feat might be even more challenging to complete for head coach Jordan Ott by simple virtue of the team rostering such a high volume of "wild card" players. 

The players below are ones that have an opportunity to swing the pendulum one way or the other in the season ahead - for better or worse.

Tier 3 (Wild Cards) - G Jalen Green, G Jordan Goodwin, C/F Oso Ighodaro, C Mark Williams, C Khaman Maluach, F Rasheer Fleming, F Koa Peat, F Ryan Dunn, F Miles Bridges

The above players are wild cards for a variety of reasons.

In Green's case, he is facing much pressure to take a step forward and become a true sidekick to top-option Devin Booker. If Green becomes a more consistent scorer and takes a playmaking leap, there's a strong chance that he is part of Phoenix's long-term plans. If not, it wouldn't come as a surprise if the 2026-27 season is his last with the Suns. 

As for Goodwin, he is positioning to be a long-term member of the Suns' organization, but consistency on the offensive side of the ball remains a question. If Goodwin ever takes a turn for the better in the consistency department, there is a real possibility he becomes a starting-caliber player. If not, the Saint Louis product is realistically an in-a-pinch role player.

Ighodaro and Dunn are both facing crucial third seasons in Phoenix. In the case of the former, the Arizona native is figuring out whether he fits better as a five or a four long-term. He is also attempting to diversify his game, particularly in developing an outside game. Ighodaro has a chance to carve out a consistent role in the long run if his offensive game and rebounding consistency continue to evolve. 

As for Dunn, this season might be a do-or-die one for the Virginia product. The forward is a well-above average defensive player, but his shooting consistency and overall offensive game leave much to be desired. If Dunn is unable to show tangible growth on offense, there's a very distinct chance he spends the season buried in the rotation.

Williams is a wild card simply due to health. The starting center is coming off of a career-high 60 appearances, but he entered the 2025-26 season having only played in 50% of his possible career games. 

Maluach and Fleming are tied together as members of the same draft class that is expecting to open the contending timeline. Maluach is expected to take a step forward - if he does so, he will absolutely be a foundational piece. Fleming faces a more challenging path to improving his volume (sitting behind Bridges), but he still has a chance to be a real difference maker.

Bridges and Peat are wild cards for very different reasons. The two new members of the Suns play the same position and are a similar build, but Bridges faces much more immediate pressure to fit into Phoenix's ecosystem. If the fit between Bridges and Phoenix isn't a strong one, don't be shocked to see Peat receive an opportunity to translate his NBA-ready skillset to the team.

Tier 4 (Rotational Depth) - G Jamaree Bouyea, G Luke Kennard, F/G Haywood Highsmith, G Koby Brea, F CJ Huntley, G Pat Spencer

Each of these players has an opportunity to see the floor in the season ahead (especially Kennard), but they are also players in which the Suns know exactly what to expect from on a nightly basis.

The first opportunity to see these intriguing players in game action is in the preseason opener against the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 5.