Player Previews are complete. Here is a summation of our predictions for every Phoenix Suns player
Let me start by thanking the Bright Side of the Sun writing team. Holy moly. Putting together player previews is no small task, but with a stellar team willing to break it down into well-researched, manageable sections, the result is an insightful and detailed overview of each player.
After all is said and done, with all the words written and the predictions predicted, the team pumped out player previews on all 17 members of the Phoenix Suns, including all three of their two-way players. If you have not had an opportunity to read them, or if you’d like to bookmark a page that can pull a Tyus Jones and play point guard to each player preview, this is the place to do so.
I’m including the player prediction section for each player below, not just as a quick reference, but as a way to track how expectations evolve throughout the season. By the end of the year, it’ll serve as a valuable tool to measure growth, surprises, and any unexpected twists in performance.
Devin Booker
Prediction made by John Voita
71 games played, 28.6 PPG, 5.3 APG, 4.7 RPG, 1.1 SPG on 51/36/90 shooting splits
Booker is going to set the Suns’ single-season record for points per game. I know he technically has it after his performance in 2022-23, where he averaged 27.8 points, but he didn’t play enough games to technically qualify (he played 53 and you need 55 to qualify). He had 27.1 points per game last season. TomChambers’ record is 27.2.
He’s going to go off in a big way for this team. I feel it in my bones. It’s Prime Devin Booker SZN.
Kevin Durant
Prediction made by Holden Sherman
66 games played, 26.5 PPG, 5.1 APG, 6.2 RPG, 1.0 BPG on 52/42/88 shooting splits
Kevin Durant has aged like fine wine. His stats are just as solid as they were half a decade ago. Whether he shows a noticeable decline or not, I expect him to have similar stats to what he’s always had: averaging over 25 a game on the efficiency we know and love about him.
Playing with a deeper, more cohesive roster than he did a year ago, everyone’s stats on the Suns’ may dip a bit this season for the betterment of the team. There’s more pressure on Phoenix than there has been in recent years. Many are calling for the team to be blown up to avoid the heavy taxes that come with the second apron and recuperate the assets they lost by trading for Durant and Beal.
I like Phoenix to bounce back this season, and get back into the top four of the West, with Durant having another impactful, great year.
Bradley Beal
Prediction made by Brandon Duenas
19.1 PPG, 4.0 APG, 4.6 RPG, 1.1 SPG on 50/41/82 shooting splits
Beal has a strong season is a third option and looks more comfortable in the Valley. He will likely miss a couple of small stretches in the season with bumps and bruises as he typically does, but I am hoping for 62 games played from him at least. If he misses 20 games or so, at least they have the reinforcements to survive it with Monte Morris, Tyus Jones, Grayson Allen, and of course Devin Booker.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Tyus Jones
Prediction made by Brandon Duenas
10.1 PPG, 5.5 APG, 2.4 RPG, 47/40/85 shooting split in roughly 25 minutes per game with another stellar AST/TO ratio
Jones starts for the Suns and puts together a strong season despite “limited” minutes for a typical starter due to the guard depth Phoenix possesses. I see him playing a role somewhere in the middle of what he was in Washington (key starter) and Memphis (high-end reserve).
Jusuf Nurkic
Prediction made by Nathan Jones
12 PPG, 12 RPG, 3 APG on 55/34/67 shooting splits
I think that Nurk will start the season getting a chance to flourish in Bud’s system. Some may think he’s an obvious trade candidate, but unless something crazy happens, you’d just be downgrading at center again.
I think Tyus and Monte will set Nurk up better and that with the Big 3 playing off-ball more it will create a bit more space for him in the short roll. I think his finishing will improve, but I expect his assists to go down this year with the addition of real point guards. If he can see his 3-point go up closer to his season high, I can see him being able to stay on the floor in more versatile or jumbo lineups.
I also think that our improved center depth means that Bud will have a quicker hook and be able to go with who is playing well on any given night and be more strategic based on matchups.
Grayson Allen
Prediction made by Holden Sherman
74 games played, 13.9 PPG, 3.1 APG, 3.8 RPG, 0.8 SPG on 51/44/88 shooting splits
Expect a solid year from Allen, with similar stats from a year ago. While his role may be different, he will be more of a focal point when he’s on the court. The offensive organization Tyus Jones and Monte Morris will bring to the Suns should keep his efficiency high, and games when Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker have it going, Allen should get a ton of open looks.
As long as he remains a strong shooter and doesn’t go through many slumps, his size and defensive chops should not make him unplayable. Maybe he’ll participate in the Three-Point contest this year.
Monte Morris
Prediction made by John Voita
59 games played, 5.2 PPG, 3.5 APG, 0.3 TOV, on 46/38/81 shooting splits
Let’s put some numbers in the Voita Predictor 3000 and see what it spits out.
I’m thrilled to see Morris on this team. He’s exactly the kind of under-the-radar signing that can quietly add two or three wins over the course of a season. And in the hyper-competitive Western Conference, where every game can tip the scales, those extra wins could be the difference between landing the sixth seed or pushing up to the fourth. It’s the kind of move that might not make headlines but can have a profound impact when it matters most.
Royce O’Neale
Prediction made by Holden Sherman
70 games played, 7.8 PPG, 2.6 APG, 4.2 RPG, 0.9 SPG on 41/38/72 shooting splits
Expect another solid, non-spectacular season from the three and defense specialist. Budenholzer’s track record of running offenses that revolve around taking a ton of threes should benefit O’Neale. His first training camp with the team will give him more familiarity with his teammates and the organization.
He’ll have a few games where he makes a ton of massive defensive stops and knocks down a bunch of triples, and he’ll have performances where he is a no-show on offense and goes 0-7 from deep. As usual, expect him to be very durable and someone who can be relied on to be in the lineup.
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
Bol Bol
Prediction made by L. Dacre Tynan
65 games played, 8.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.6 BPG on 55/39/77 shooting splits
The Suns—as we know—are in win-now mode. With the addition of quality point guards, the 2024-25 roster looks (by my lowly assessment, at least) to be one of the deepest rosters the Suns have ever put together!
I predict Bol Bol will be a cog in the Suns’ machine this year under Coach Bud. Suns fans demand it—nay, we deserve it.
Mason Plumlee
Prediction made by Kevin Salut
62 games played, 6.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.9 BPG
In totality, I feel that Plumlee is an upgrade from last season’s backup, and only time will tell how huge an upgrade he is.
I will say this about him, too: He and his predecessor had identical statistics from a year ago despite the disparity in the number of games played, which already speaks volumes.
Josh Okogie
Prediction made by John Voita
No stat line predicted
I don’t think it’s far-fetched to go out on a limb here: I predict Josh Okogie will be traded by February.
As the season progresses, the Suns will undoubtedly be in evaluation mode, closely analyzing their roster for any weaknesses that could hinder a championship run. With Okogie’s limited offensive impact and expendable role, I believe the front office will see trading him as a key solution to address those deficiencies.
His hustle and defensive prowess may be valued by other teams, making him a prime trade piece when Phoenix looks to fine-tune its lineup for a deep playoff push. And if they can provide the Suns with players who can fill their gaps, it’s an easy trade to execute.
Damion Lee
Prediction made by John Voita
74 games played, 9.2 PPG, 0.9 APG, 3.8 RPG, on 45/42/88 shooting splits
Lee probably won’t be in the running for Sixth Man of the Year — that might be Grayson Allen’s territory. However, he will be a crucial asset for the Suns this season. He’ll bring valuable depth and offensive punch when the stars are on the bench. Lee has the potential to shift the momentum of a game or two with his ability to catch fire and make an impact.
Ryan Dunn
Prediction made by L. Dacre Tynan
No stat line predicted
One of the most significant adjustments for Dunn as he transitions into the NBA is the level of physicality.
While his size and wingspan are advantageous, bulking up and adding NBA-level strength will be essential for him to compete with seasoned, more physical players. He’ll face matchups with power forwards and wings who use their strength to establish position, fight for rebounds, and power through contact in the paint. Developing a more robust frame will help Dunn defend bigger opponents and avoid being pushed around in the post, enabling him to play more physically on both ends of the court.
If Dunn’s defensive-mindedness brings results in the early month and a half of the season, this could bode well for him to see more court time into Dec/Jan. Ideally, the Suns will compete for a top-3 seed in the West this season, which could govern whether Ryan is getting good minutes through the game or on clean-up duty in aisle 4.
Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images
Oso Ighodaro
Prediction made by Matthew Lissy
No stat line predicted
There are plenty of positive aspects to Oso’s game that I’ve highlighted throughout this article, but here’s the catch: I see this season as a learning experience for him. That’s not to say he won’t have moments to shine, but he’ll need time to grow as the season progresses. If one of the Suns’ bigs goes down with an injury, I wouldn’t be surprised if the team brings in a veteran to fill the gap. This isn’t a knock on Oso; he needs more time to develop.
By the end of the year, I expect him to become a fan favorite, thanks to his consistently positive attitude and effort when he’s on the court. His work ethic and willingness to embrace his role will likely earn him respect from both teammates and fans alike. With patience, he could eventually develop into a key contributor for the Suns.
TyTy Washington
Prediction made by L. Dacre Tynan
No stat line predicted
I’d love to see TyTy have a breakout season statistically, but with depth at the point guard position (I know, right?) in Phoenix, his role comes down to this: be a stud in practice and keep working on his shooting, strength, and defense.
I’m hoping we see him get on the court in at least 25 games [all 20-point blowout wins], with local fans going crazy for him in the home games.
Jalen Bridges
Prediction made by Manny Loera
No stat line predicted
This is a tough one! Looking at the wings, Jalen is currently behind Devin Booker (who has moved to the wing), Royce O’Neale, Josh Okogie, and Ryan Dunn. That screams G league for Jalen.
Most likely, he will spend most of the year in Tempe. But let’s dream a little. What happens if Jalen flourishes in the G League and puts up big numbers? Well, we don’t need another scorer, but let’s say he defends well, shoots a high percentage from the three-point line, and does the dirty work that all teams need. Could he see meaningful minutes with the Suns this year?
This team has been plagued by injuries in the past; if he can develop into a 3-and-D wing, he could very well. He showed glimpses of his ability in the Summer League. Jalen reminds me of Dorian Finney-Smith. You remember his 8 three-pointers against the Suns! It is not going to happen this year with the depth at wing, but how would you feel if Jalen develops into a Dorian Finney-Smith type?
I would like that! Would you?
Collin Gillespie
Prediction made by Brandon Duenas
No stat line predicted
Gillespie finds himself on a team that is now suddenly loaded with point guards (and combo guards) so it will be difficult for him to crack the rotation barring an injury or two.
Injuries will happen at some point, and he will get a look. It’s tough to predict how long that will be and if he sticks, but it’s important to remember how grueling an 82-game season is. Saben Lee played heavy minutes for the Suns last season, for example, something that was not in their plans on opening night.
I think he’ll appear in 10-15 games this season with limited minutes depending on health and whatnot. Long-term, I still really like his fit as the Suns’ eventual backup point guard.
Did you get all of that? Plenty of predictions were made. It’ll be fun to see how many come to fruition.
Up next for the writing team? We are working on a couple of roundtables, one about the outcome of the 2024-25 Phoenix Suns and the other predicting end-of-season awards. Until next time, Bright Siders!