​The Phoenix Suns are content to preserve much of their current continuity as they move toward the 2026-27 season. Although the upcoming additions of Luke Kennard and Miles Bridges will introduce some changes, the core of experienced veterans and promising youth will remain largely intact, with a potential endgame quietly in the works that not many anticipate at this moment. That endgame could involve pursuing Luka Doncic, a player who has repeatedly unsettled Suns fans with his remarkable performances over the years. While Doncic appears poised to sign a contract extension to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers for the foreseeable future, there is no consensus that this is a done deal just yet. The Lakers have made a strong push to surround Doncic with two-way talent this offseason, yet they reportedly declined the option to re-sign Rui Hachimura — despite the All-NBA guard’s preference for keeping the sharpshooter in the purple and gold, according to The Athletic. Could a messy divorce between Doncic and the Lakers be on the horizon? It’s within the realm of possibility, and Brian Gregory seems to be preparing for a potential bidding war.
Why does this daydream feel more plausible when you look closer at daily operations? The answer lies in how Gregory is shaping Phoenix’s roster. While the Lakers did a reasonably solid job surrounding Doncic with floor spacers, elite defenders, and low-volume, high-efficiency players, they spent a sizable portion of their resources on that effort and, in the process, created friction with LeBron James and Hachimura. Phoenix, by contrast, is cultivating a youth movement while also keeping veteran players who would mesh well with Doncic in theory. The current core of younger talents includes Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, Koa Peat, and Koby Brea. These four players offer cost-effective options right now and bring a range of skills or tantalizing ceilings that could appeal to the Lakers in trade discussions—or that could remain in Phoenix to complement Doncic in a favorable way.
Among the veteran players, Dillon Brooks stands out as someone who would benefit significantly from the gravitational pull Doncic would create. His relentless defensive intensity and physicality would translate well to masking Doncic’s defensive limitations. Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin embody the exact type of guards Doncic needs around him—high-energy defenders who also excel as off-ball shooters. And then there is Devin Booker, who would be positioned as never before to reach the pinnacle of his own game. The on-court chemistry between Booker and Doncic has long been the subject of speculation since Phoenix bypassed Doncic in the 2018 draft, and a true pairing between the two could finally realize the potential that fans have imagined for years.