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Mar 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) looks to move the ball past Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams (10) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

'A Great Challenge to Guard' – New Phoenix Suns Forward Details First Impression of Playing Against Devin Booker

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Sep 28, 2025 11:09 PM ET

There are a lot of new faces in the Phoenix Suns after an eventful summer. The two biggest additions for the Suns are Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks. Both players were part of the Kevin Durant trade to the Houston Rockets. Despite low expectations from the media and public, the Phoenix team is determined to make things work.

Green and Brooks will play with Devin Booker for the first time in their careers. They were rivals during their time together on the court before the move. It will be an interesting dynamic for the trio, especially for Brooks, who’s had to guard Booker since his time in the league started in 2017.

The defensive forward is known to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. Brooks was asked about his first impression of the Suns’ all-time leading scorer, who’s widely known for his incredible offensive talent.

“He was a great challenge to guard. Different game than a lot of guys have. 3-level scorer,” Brooks said. “Tough to guard. Plays physical, but I knew that he didn’t like physicality then. So I could play physical with him, but we’re going to get through that this year for sure.”

Dillon Brooks on battles with Devin Booker when he was in Memphis: "He was a great challenge to guard. Different game than a lot of guys have. 3-level scorer. Tough to guard. Plays physical, but I knew that he didn't like physicality then. So I could play physical with him, but… pic.twitter.com/SmB0pX2xXT

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) September 25, 2025

The 6-foot-6 forward also revealed that he reached out to Booker right after the trade was official. The Phoenix Suns pair has spent time with one another, even going out to dinner, developing chemistry off the court.

“Being in constant communication all the time. Going out, getting dinner, being in Flagstaff with the team. Being two layers that are together, not separate,” he said.

Brooks said that Booker will play a lot of point guard for the Phoenix Suns next season

Jan 27, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles against LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Playing the point guard position isn’t anything new for Booker. At times, he’s been asked to carry the ball and facilitate for the Phoenix Suns. This year won’t be anything different since that will be the case for the four-time All-Star. That is, what Brooks told the media on the first day of the team’s training camp.

“He’s going to be playing a lot of point so he’s gonna be getting us the ball in an awful lot of defensive coverages,” the newest Suns player said.

The former Kentucky guard also spent some time playing the point guard position during the 2023-24 season. The two-time All-NBA averaged 27.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.9 assists in that span.

Many experts aren’t big believers in what the Suns can do this year. The team missed the 2025 playoffs with Booker, Durant and Bradley Beal. Because of that, most analysts predict that Phoenix won’t be a threat to win the NBA title.

Feb 11, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) look on against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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