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Suns Opened Preseason Play in Detroit

The Phoenix Suns begin their preseason campaign Monday following a 45-37 finish to the previous season.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Basketball

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The Phoenix Suns begin their 2025-26 preseason schedule Monday in Detroit, following a 45-37 record and an early playoff exit last season. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Phoenix Suns tip off their preseason schedule on Monday in Detroit after a 45-37 finish in the 2025-26 season. The team looks to integrate young talent following a postseason sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Why it matters

The Suns are focused on rebuilding their rotation and improving performance after a disappointing early exit from last year's playoffs. Integrating new draft picks alongside veterans remains central to the organization's goals.

Center Khaman Maluach, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 draft, posted 19.5 points and 12.8 rebounds per game in the 2026 NBA Summer League. Fellow draft pick Koa Peat averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists during his time at Arizona.

The players

Khaman Maluach

Selected 10th overall in the 2025 NBA draft, he is a promising young center competing for a primary role in the team rotation.

Oso Ighodaro

Entering his third NBA season, he is currently competing against rookie Khaman Maluach for the starting center position.

Devin Booker

A veteran star for the Phoenix Suns, he is actively involved in training and mentoring the team's younger roster members.

Mark Williams

The center is currently sidelined for an indefinite period of time following necessary shoulder surgery.

Koa Peat

Drafted 30th overall in the 2026 NBA draft, he is a young player integrating into the team after a college career at Arizona.

The details

The team rotation features a competition between Maluach and third-year player Oso Ighodaro for the starting center spot. Veterans like Devin Booker are working alongside young players, including Maluach, Fleming, and Peat, to fill gaps left by the indefinite absence of center Mark Williams following shoulder surgery.

Timeline

  1. The Suns finished the 2025-26 season with a 45-37 record.

  2. Khaman Maluach averaged 19.5 points and 12.8 rebounds in the 2026 NBA Summer League.

  3. The Suns begin their preseason schedule on Monday, October 5, 2026, in Detroit.

Season Trajectory

The Suns are attempting to reshape their identity by prioritizing the integration of high-ceiling rookies into a veteran-led system. This shift is critical as the team seeks to regain its competitive standing within the division after being swept in the previous postseason.

Fans should track the battle for the starting center position between Maluach and Ighodaro, as it will likely determine the team's rebounding and defensive efficiency. The absence of Mark Williams also means increased minutes for the bench unit throughout the opening weeks of the season.

The takeaway

The success of the upcoming season hinges on how quickly young draft picks can adapt to the speed of the professional game. Managing the rotation in the wake of key injuries will define the team's ability to remain competitive in the standings.

Further reading

For more updates on the roster, visit the Basketball section.

Live Poll

Do you believe your local team should prioritize developing young players over signing established veterans?