What happened: Phoenix moved Kevin Durant for Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green and hired first-time head coach Jordan Ott. Devin Booker led the offense while the reshaped rotation climbed on defense.

Why it matters: The reset shifted Phoenix from a Durant-centered build to a Booker-led group with a defensive foundation. That balance gives Ott a defined rotation to carry into the 2026-27 season.

What to watch: Watch whether the defensive gains hold through preseason and how Ott allocates late-game touches around Booker.