Could Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green Become Key Trade Pieces in the Phoenix Suns’ Quest to Build a Championship Contender?
The Phoenix Suns have been one of the most aggressive teams in recent NBA offseasons, loading their roster with star power in an attempt to win the franchise’s first championship. After acquiring Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and pairing them with Devin Booker, the Suns have created a formidable “Big Three” on paper. However, their on-court results have yet to match the expectations, and depth issues, defensive shortcomings, and lack of consistent ball movement have raised serious concerns about their long-term viability. If the Suns fall short again, the front office may be forced to explore significant roster changes, especially with a luxury tax crunch looming. In this context, two intriguing names have started to emerge in speculation: Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green.
Both Brooks and Green are currently members of the Houston Rockets, a team in the midst of a rebuild-turned-playoff-chase under head coach Ime Udoka. While the Rockets have been developing a core centered around Green, Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson, their roster construction and timeline may not align perfectly with every player’s trajectory. If the Rockets choose to prioritize defense, discipline, and veteran impact, someone like Dillon Brooks remains highly valuable—but Green could become expendable, especially with the emergence of Cam Whitmore and the continued development of Thompson.
On the other hand, the Phoenix Suns could be eyeing an opportunity. Despite limited draft assets and cap space, the Suns may seek a trade that allows them to refresh their roster without undergoing a full teardown. Adding either Brooks or Green—or perhaps both in a multi-team deal—could potentially provide Phoenix with what they currently lack: defensive identity and youthful scoring.
Dillon Brooks, a 6’6” wing known for his tenacious defense and emotional intensity, fits the mold of a player Phoenix could use in the playoffs. While Brooks has a polarizing reputation across the league, his defensive acumen and physicality are undeniable. In Houston, he has been a crucial part of their defense-first culture, embracing a leadership role alongside Fred VanVleet. His offensive limitations—mainly streaky shooting and questionable shot selection—are less of an issue on a team with elite scorers like Durant and Booker. In Phoenix, Brooks wouldn’t be asked to create offense; rather, he’d be assigned to harass opposing perimeter threats, something the Suns desperately lacked in their 2024 playoff exit.
If Phoenix wants to improve its perimeter defense, Brooks is one of the better options available. His contract with the Rockets runs through the 2026-27 season and is considered relatively team-friendly given the new salary cap realities. His inclusion in a trade would signal Phoenix’s desire to add toughness and accountability—two traits Brooks is known for, even if they occasionally come at the cost of technical fouls or locker room friction.
Meanwhile, Jalen Green represents a very different type of target. The former No. 2 overall pick is still only 23 and possesses elite athleticism, scoring potential, and a highlight-reel game that makes him one of the league’s more exciting young guards. However, his inconsistency, defensive lapses, and sometimes erratic decision-making have created skepticism about his long-term fit as a franchise cornerstone. The Rockets, loaded with young talent and seemingly focused on a defensive identity, may be willing to explore moving Green if it nets them win-now assets or more balanced contributors.
For Phoenix, Green would offer something they currently lack: a young, explosive shot creator who can eventually take over games when their older stars slow down. His presence could allow Booker to play more off-ball, reduce Beal’s ball-handling responsibilities, and introduce an element of vertical spacing the team hasn’t had since the days of prime Amar’e Stoudemire. Under the right coaching staff, Green could thrive in Phoenix as a sixth man or even develop into a primary scorer in the next era of Suns basketball.
But the logistics of acquiring either player are complicated. The Suns are heavily limited by the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), especially the second apron penalties, which restrict their ability to trade for players making more money than they send out. This makes it difficult for Phoenix to absorb salaries without offloading significant contracts—most likely Beal or Nurkić. Beal, with a no-trade clause, complicates any deal. Nurkić could be moved, but his value is modest, and the Suns would likely need a third team to facilitate a broader deal.
One pathway to acquiring Brooks or Green could involve a multi-team trade where the Suns send out Beal or Nurkić (plus picks or young talent) and Houston flips one of their wings for more veteran pieces or draft capital. Alternatively, a three- or four-team deal involving another team with cap flexibility and playoff ambitions could help balance the salary requirements while giving Houston an enticing return.
From Houston’s perspective, trading Brooks would only happen if they feel confident in internal growth or if they want to give more minutes to younger wings like Cam Whitmore or Tari Eason. Trading Green, on the other hand, would require significant return, likely in the form of picks or a more stable, defensive-minded guard who fits Udoka’s vision. While the Suns don’t have draft capital in abundance, they could be part of a larger trade where a third team supplies Houston with the necessary assets.
Another factor in this potential trade dance is the timeline. The Suns are clearly in win-now mode, with Durant aging and Booker entering his prime. They don’t have time to wait on a young player like Green to develop unless they believe he can contribute meaningfully right away. This makes Brooks a more immediate fit but limits the upside of a longer-term play. However, if the Suns’ front office is willing to gamble, Green could be the kind of player who bridges the current core and the next generation.
There’s also the question of fit with head coach Mike Budenholzer. Known for defensive discipline and ball movement, Budenholzer may value someone like Brooks for his energy and willingness to take on defensive challenges. Green, while more raw, offers more offensive versatility and shot creation—something Budenholzer has struggled to cultivate outside of structured systems in Milwaukee. If Budenholzer believes he can mold Green’s decision-making and defensive approach, the trade could be a worthwhile risk.
Phoenix’s offseason will also depend heavily on internal dynamics: how Durant feels about the direction of the team, whether Booker is open to taking on more of a playmaking role, and whether Beal can stay healthy. All of these factors affect how aggressive the Suns will be on the trade market. If the core remains intact and management decides to retool instead of rebuild, a move for Brooks or Green could be a strategic swing that preserves competitiveness while reshaping team identity.
There’s historical precedent for such a pivot. Look at the 2018 Raptors, who traded for Kawhi Leonard and eventually moved pieces like DeMar DeRozan to reshape their culture and championship ceiling. Or consider the 2020 Lakers, who continually shuffled role players around their stars to maximize fit and chemistry. The Suns are in a similar position now—they don’t need to rebuild, but they do need to adjust their supporting cast to address glaring holes.
From a fan perspective, the idea of adding Brooks may raise eyebrows due to his on-court antics, but his work ethic and competitive drive are rarely questioned by teammates. His attitude could energize a Suns team that has sometimes seemed too passive in key moments. Meanwhile, Green would bring youth, energy, and highlight potential—something that can excite a fan base and possibly become the next face of the franchise if developed properly.
In terms of risk, Brooks is a known commodity; what you see is what you get. Green, on the other hand, is a gamble—high upside, but no guarantee of consistency. It ultimately comes down to how much risk Phoenix is willing to take, and whether Houston views these players as expendable assets or key parts of their future.
As we approach training camp and preseason, rumors will continue to swirl, and both the Rockets and Suns will be closely watched. If Phoenix falters early or injuries pile up again, trade discussions will intensify. Should Houston decide to consolidate or shift directions, both Brooks and Green could find themselves on the move.
Whether one of them—or both—could end up in a Suns uniform remains speculative for now, but the smoke around these names may eventually lead to fire. Phoenix needs change, and Houston has pieces that could spark it. The only question is whether the front offices are ready to pull the trigger.
