Suns’ Mid-Season Report Card: Standouts, Setbacks, and Surprises

From Allen’s career year to Bouyea’s rise, here’s how Phoenix’s roster stacks up

As the NBA season hits its halfway point, Suns fans everywhere are donning their imaginary teacher hats and handing out grades. The mid-season report card is in, and it’s got a little bit of everything: overachievers, underperformers, and a few wild cards who might just be ready for a bigger spotlight. With injuries, unexpected twists, and breakout performances all thrown into the mix, evaluating this roster is anything but straightforward.

Grayson Allen has stepped into the limelight this year, shouldering a bigger load and putting up career highs in both points and minutes—thanks, in part, to the injury bug biting elsewhere on the team. But here’s the rub: while Allen’s been busier than a barista on Monday morning, his shooting efficiency has taken a dip. So, is he the hero Phoenix needs, or just a guy filling up the stat sheet? The jury’s still out.

Devin Booker is still the beating heart of the Suns. Sure, his three-point shooting has reportedly cooled off, but make no mistake—he’s the engine that keeps this team running. Booker’s leadership is the kind you can’t always measure with numbers, but you can feel it in the way the team rallies around him. Sometimes, the most important plays don’t show up in the box score.

Jamaree Bouyea has been the pleasant surprise nobody saw coming, thriving as the fourth guard in the rotation. Meanwhile, Koby Brea and Jalen Green haven’t had enough minutes to make a splash—and in Green’s case, injuries have kept him on the sidelines. It’s tough to judge a player when the basketball gods won’t even let him lace up his sneakers.

Dillon Brooks is lighting it up on offense, but his technical fouls and on-court theatrics have been a double-edged sword. Sometimes he’s the spark plug, other times he’s the guy pouring water on the engine. That scoring punch was on full display recently when Dillon Brooks dropped 33 as the Suns ended the Lakers’ streak, highlighting Phoenix’s offensive upside. Ryan Dunn, on the other hand, seems to be stuck in neutral, showing minimal progress since last season. Rasheer Fleming is still searching for his groove. For these guys, the second half of the season is their chance to turn things around—no pressure, right?

Collin Gillespie has quietly become a key contributor, proving that you don’t need a big contract to make a big impact. His growing role also connects to ongoing discussion about Collin Gillespie’s minutes being in question after a Suns loss as the rotation tightens. He’s earning his keep with hustle and heart, and fans are taking notice. Jordan Goodwin’s defense has been a revelation, making him one of the league’s top defensive guards and a true bargain for Phoenix. Sometimes, the best deals come in small packages.

Oso Ighodaro’s defense has been a breath of fresh air, but questions linger about his offense and free-throw shooting—let’s just say he’s not the guy you want at the line in crunch time. Isaiah Livers, who’s been dubbed the Suns’ best power forward by default, has managed to slightly exceed preseason expectations. Royce O’Neale brings steady floor spacing and reliable play, though some folks whisper that his defense isn’t quite what it used to be. Mark Williams, meanwhile, has been a pleasant surprise in terms of health and effort, though his defense still has room to grow.

At the halfway mark, grading the Suns feels a bit like trying to hit a moving target. Injuries have shuffled the deck and forced players into unfamiliar roles. The expectations we set back in October have been tossed around by breakout performances and unexpected setbacks. These grades are as subjective as a referee’s whistle, and everyone—coaches, players, fans, and reporters—has their own take. The real test is still to come, as the playoff push will put everyone under the microscope. Elsewhere in the Western Conference, attention is shifting to another marquee matchup with the Mavericks visiting the Lakers seeking revenge in Los Angeles.

If you’re hungry for more details or want a different angle on the Suns’ roster, just say the word. There’s still plenty of basketball left, and as any teacher will tell you, there’s always time to turn those grades around before the final bell rings.