The Phoenix Suns may be on track to repeat their darkest season

The Phoenix Suns' 2025-26 roster is being criticized as catastrophically constructed and likely to perform as poorly as the 19-63 2018-19 team, despite arguments that such failure "takes work."

A primary issue is financial misallocation, with approximately $135 million committed to shooting guards like Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Grayson Allen, plus the departed Bradley Beal. This forces players out of position—reducing their value—or benches them entirely, creating massive opportunity costs that weaken the overall roster.

Player quality and fit are significant concerns. Jalen Green is highlighted as an inefficient, ball-dominant player with poor defense, contrasting with the 2018-19 team's more balanced roster featuring efficient secondary options like TJ Warren. The current team relies heavily on rookies, flawed players (Green, Williams), or both (Maluach), while capable veterans like Allen and Royce O'Neale are relegated to the bench with no long-term future.

Positional misuse exacerbates the problems. Booker is again being played at point guard, a role where he has historically struggled without a defensive-minded distributor like Chris Paul or Ricky Rubio. Additionally, Ryan Dunn is misused at power forward, diminishing his defensive impact and exposing him to stronger opponents, which harms the team's defensive efficiency.

The center rotation is particularly weak, arguably the worst in the league. Mark Williams, acquired from Charlotte, is a poor defender with injury concerns, while backups like Nick Richards, Khaman Maluach, and Oso Ighodaro are marginal NBA talents at best, lacking the size, skill, or consistency to compete effectively.

Overall, the roster construction has left Booker isolated as the lone star surrounded by raw talent and disinterested veterans, a situation worse than 2018-19 due to his increased age and mileage, with no reliable point guard support and minimal defensive or shooting upside across the roster.