The Athletic NBA Daily – "Can Devin Booker lead the Suns to a better season?"
Date: October 8, 2025
Hosts: Dave DuFour (The Athletic), with guest Doug Holler (Suns beat reporter)
Main Theme: Examining the Phoenix Suns’ prospects for the 2025-26 NBA season, the impact of Devin Booker in his new leadership role, the arrival of Dylan Brooks, and the team’s overall expectations after a tumultuous previous year.
Episode Overview
Dave DuFour and Doug Holler break down the Phoenix Suns’ direction, focusing on how the expectations and culture have shifted after last season's disappointment. With the departure of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, and the additions of key players like Dylan Brooks and head coach Jordan Ott, the Suns face a transition year. The conversation covers Booker’s transition to leadership, roster changes, defensive identity, and realistic benchmarks for success in the new season.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Phoenix as a Player Destination
[02:43]
- The hosts discuss why Phoenix, despite its weather and lifestyle advantages, isn’t a top-tier free agent destination any longer; popularity has waned since the Steve Nash era.
- Doug Holler: “Everybody wanted to come here, come to Phoenix, live the good life, have Scottsdale. ...It's not quite the same way anymore … but I still think it’s a popular destination for free agents. If you have the money to bring them in.”
2. Culture Shift & Resetting Expectations
[03:55–04:54]
- The Suns, after a letdown season (36–46), are resetting goals from “championships” to forging a team with proud, gritty identity and hustle.
- The messaging has fundamentally changed, focusing on effort and togetherness rather than titles.
- Dave Dufour: “We’re not measuring success in wins and losses, Doug.”
- Doug Holler: “Not anymore. We’re gonna hustle, we’re gonna play with grit. ...I’m most interested, if you ask me, what am I most interested about with this team? It’s how long does that play out?”
3. Dylan Brooks: The New Catalyst
[05:25–07:34]
- Brooks’ arrival is framed as the pivotal change; he brings toughness and edge the Suns have sorely lacked.
- Doug polled several ex-coaches of Brooks, all of whom raved about his practice habits, competitiveness, and leadership.
- Dave Dufour: “I think Dylan Brooks is actually the biggest addition for this team … if they had had Dylan Brooks last year, there’s no way they miss the playoffs.”
- Doug Holler: “All seven [assistant coaches] said, ‘You’re going to love this guy.’ ...He brings edge, even just when they’re running five on five … it’s already kind of becoming contagious and kind of setting the tone.”
4. Devin Booker’s Leadership & Backcourt Questions
[07:34–09:24]
- With Chris Paul and Durant gone, Booker is the undisputed leader—something he hasn’t been since his early years.
- The challenge: can he adapt from being deferential alongside superstars to fully commanding the team?
- Doug Holler: “He needs to raise his voice and take charge more. ...when Devin played with the second team, he was more the Devin Booker that we saw during the 2021 Finals run. ...It was almost like he was too respectful of Kevin Durant at times.”
- The fit alongside Jaylen Green (another ball-dominant guard) is a question mark.
5. Jordan Ott’s Coaching Style & System
[09:24–11:55]
- New head coach Jordan Ott is described as analytical, detail-oriented, and hardworking, without an outsized presence.
- The specific offensive scheme isn’t revealed yet, but Ott’s approach is lauded as “the right guy for what they need right now.”
- Questions linger about spacing, particularly at the four spot.
6. Defensive Overhaul & Identity
[12:07–13:58]
- Defensive intensity and communication (a prior Booker complaint) are up based on early signs.
- Dylan Brooks and Ryan Dunn are expected to set the tone; Mark Williams and “Malawat” (rookie) add much-needed rim protection.
- Doug Holler: “Dylan Brooks said after one practice that … there’s another villain on the team, but no one’s realized yet. ...probably Ryan Dunn is a good guess.”
7. What Success Looks Like in 2025–26
[17:37–19:30]
- With less external pressure, the team is described as lighter and more cohesive, but a realistic playoff push is unlikely.
- Doug Holler: “I said 40 wins … would be the ceiling, but that would probably be where I would project at this point.”
- There’s optimism for improvement through “addition by subtraction” and better defensive focus.
8. Mark Williams as a Key Variable
[19:41–21:06]
- Williams’ health is paramount; if he can play 60–65 games, he could be the team’s third-best player.
- Trade options are limited, but Nick Richards and potentially Royce O’Neale are movable pieces.
9. Last Season’s Disappointment
[21:06–22:28]
- The previous roster, costing over $400 million for a 36-win output, is called “one of the biggest flops in NBA history.” Team spirit was low during the final stretch.
- Doug Holler: “It was so miserable walking into the arena those last couple weeks...it just seemed like nobody wanted to be there. ...Kevin knew he was leaving.”
10. Front Office and Organizational Rebuild
[22:47–24:13]
- A new GM (Brian Gregory) and front office structure signal wholesale change.
- Owner Matt Ishbia is not shy about resetting, but patience with a rebuild is a looming question.
11. Booker’s Future & Phoenix Ties
[24:13–25:50]
- Local roots run deep for Booker—he spends offseasons in Arizona, is beloved by fans, and fosters team bonding (e.g., retreats in Flagstaff).
- However, Doug and Dave debate whether a few more non-contending years might prompt Booker to want out for the sake of legacy.
- Doug Holler: “He is one of the most or most popular players in franchise history. People love Devin Booker here.”
- Dave DuFour: “I hope he never does [leave]. I hope he stays a Sun for the rest of his career to have guys like that.”
Notable Quotes
-
On setting the tone:
"He brings edge... it's already kind of becoming contagious and kind of setting the tone."
— Doug Holler on Dylan Brooks [07:11] -
On team identity change:
"We're not measuring success in wins and losses, Doug."
— Dave DuFour [04:52]
"Not anymore.”
— Doug Holler [04:54] -
On last year’s collapse:
"It was so miserable walking into the arena those last couple weeks when they were just fighting for the play in. You could tell their heart wasn't into it."
— Doug Holler [21:15] -
On Devin Booker’s local roots:
"He is one of the most or most popular players in franchise history. People love Devin Booker here."
— Doug Holler [24:34] -
On team goals:
"I said 40 wins... would be the ceiling, but that would probably be where I would project at this point."
— Doug Holler [18:19]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Phoenix as a Free Agent Market: 02:43
- Culture Shift & Lowered Expectations: 03:55
- Dylan Brooks’ Arrival: 05:25
- Devin Booker’s Leadership Challenge: 07:34
- Jordan Ott’s Coaching Profile: 09:24
- Defensive Overhaul: 12:07
- Defining Success in 2025–26: 17:37
- Mark Williams’ Importance: 19:41
- Last Year’s Disappointment: 21:06
- Front Office Rebuild: 22:47
- Booker’s Phoenix Ties: 24:13
Overall Tone & Takeaways
The episode is reflective but hopeful; the Suns are in the midst of a reset, trading star-glitz and expectations for grit, energy, and team-first culture. Booker steps into full leadership, Brooks brings a needed edge, the coaching staff and front office get clean slates, and the potential for a “fun to watch” group is high, even if wins aren’t.
The big question: Can Booker fully embrace this role and carry the Suns through their transition—as beloved leader, playmaker, and potentially, the face of the franchise for another decade? Or does another rebuilding year force long-term questions about his future in Phoenix?