The Rockets had one of, if not the most, impressive offseasons in recent memory. The re-signings and extensions were expected. The additions of Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith were interesting and unexpected but the whole thing kicked off with the addition of Kevin Durant and the departure of Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green. It was a trade that GM Rafael Stone had to make because “He’s Kevin Durant.”
The pieces moving out of Houston though are finding themselves in some difficult scenarios. Cam Whitmore moved across the country to Washington, where he joins a young, rebuilding Wizards team. Whitmore should expect to see additional playing time and showcase his abilities. Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green will be thrust into the turmoil that is currently the Phoenix Suns but have the ability to play next to All-NBA guard Devin Booker.
Green may be suited to take on a secondary role where there is an established number one option. One of the issues with Green was attempting to assert himself as the first option when the offense shifted to Alperen Sengun or Amen Thompson as they developed. A more established hierarchy may help. Brooks, on the other hand, may struggle next season due to the roster construction in Phoenix.
Dillon Brooks Won't Have the Same Impact in Phoenix as He Did in Houston
Brooks isn’t afraid of a challenge. He’s famously targeted Lebron James on multiple occasions. But having a giant chip on your shoulder is one thing, openly putting a bullseye on your back is another. Brooks’ attitude and comments could have a played a part in his departure from Memphis. His attitude and swagger were something that Ime Udoka and the Rockets embraced as they needed an on the court leader.
Phoenix isn’t Houston though. The Rockets didn’t have an established star and needed someone to come in and set the tone. The Suns have Devin Booker, an established star and number one option. After the departure of Durant (and whatever happens with Bradley Beal), the Suns clearly identified this and committed to this being Booker’s team.
Brooks was part of the initial youth movement in Memphis, and joined a young roster in Houston, but those were different circumstances. Brooks was fresh to the league in Memphis and joined a roster led by Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. He was handsomely rewarded to join Houston and coach Ime Udoka was the ultimate tone setter. Brooks needed to prove himself in Memphis. He was brought to Houston to set a tone. He’s only in Phoenix because of finances.
The Suns should be committed to finding out exactly what they have on the roster and that means a full-blown youth movement. With Booker and Green in the backcourt, the Suns may be best served to play a combination of rookies Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach and youngsters like Ryan Dunn and Mark Williams in the front court. That could put Brooks in a role off the bench.
That may not sit well with someone who openly disrespected of the best players of all time. In Houston, Ime Udoka kept any ego related issues in check. It’s unknown if Suns’ Head Coach, Jordan Ott, will have that same command of the locker room. If Ott does not and the Suns’ go full youth movement, having Brooks may prove to be more detrimental than additive.