What To Expect From Phoenix Suns During Preseason Play

The five-game preseason slate for the Phoenix Suns is now here.

The Suns begin the trek on Monday against the Detroit Pistons in a major test to open up the 2026-27 campaign

What exactly is to be expected of the Suns over the next two weeks?

Well, first and foremost is figuring out how to mix-and-match a deep, versatile roster. Head coach Jordan Ott is already upfront that every single player (save for Mark Williams) is good to go for this game. 

The 41-year-old is also leaving room to give certain players games off over the next five games, which paints a clearer picture as to how this mixing-and-matching will be handled.

Expect game one to give Suns fans a taste of what the starting lineup will look like in practice. The amount of times that this is seen throughout preseason play is unclear, however, as the two-way players and members of the youth movement need time to showcase what they have to offer.

One of the other things to expect is the 2026-27 team working to find a definitive identity on both sides of the ball. The Suns' three-point shooting capabilities took a hit over the offseason on paper due to trading away Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale. However, these moves have a chance to reshape how Phoenix is able to operate.

The injection of athleticism into the Suns' roster can create advantages at the rim that weren't previously regularly available, while it also generates more space for off-ball shooters to operate from. 

As far as the defensive side of the ball goes, this Phoenix team is bigger and more burly than in many previous seasons. However, there are questions surrounding individual defenders within the system, including the need for Miles Bridges to buy-in.

Expect Jamaree Bouyea, Haywood Highsmith, Pat Spencer, and others to see action as well. While none of them will see expansive roles during the 82-game regular season, one of the areas that Ott feels best about with his team is the depth. These down-the-line players need in-game reps to prepare them for when they are called upon in the regular season.

There are many things to figure out over the next two weeks, but expectations should be relatively straightforward in this time period.

Phoenix's preseason slate extends to playing the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs (X2), and the Utah Jazz prior to the regular season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 21.