Dillon Brooks is preparing for his second season with the Phoenix Suns with a new contract and a clear target: helping the franchise compete for a championship.
Phoenix signed the veteran forward to a three-year, $73 million extension this month following a strong first season in Arizona. Brooks averaged a career-high 20.2 points across 56 games and established himself as an important part of the Suns.
Speaking at a media session Friday, Brooks said Phoenix has become a comfortable home, comparing the support he receives to his college years at Oregon.
“It’s kind of brought me back to the Oregon days,” Brooks said.
His importance became particularly clear after he fractured his left hand against the Orlando Magic on February 21. Phoenix was 33-24 at the time, but struggled during the five weeks Brooks was unavailable.
Despite his scoring production, there are areas Brooks wants to improve. His three-point percentage dropped from nearly 40 percent during his final season with Houston to 34.4 percent last season. He also averaged 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists.
Brooks believes improved three-point shooting could force defenders to respect him more on the perimeter and create additional opportunities to attack the paint. He also said general manager Brian Gregory wants him to develop as a passer, while finishing around the rim remains another focus.
Discipline will also be important. Brooks finished last season with a league-high 17 technical fouls, while his tendency to back down defenders occasionally disrupted Phoenix’s offensive movement.
The 29-year-old, however, has no intention of allowing his new contract to reduce his motivation. For Brooks, financial security is not the ultimate measure of success.
“I love basketball, so my reward would be a championship,” he said. “That always keeps my engine going.”
Brooks is approaching his 10th NBA season after entering the league as the 45th pick in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft. His early goals were simply to earn and retain a starting position, but winning has remained his primary motivation.
He believes the Suns can improve on last season’s 45 victories, particularly following the additions of Miles Bridges and Luke Kennard.
“I think we added some shooting, some spacing, some athleticism as well,” Brooks said. “We can interchange lineups. Miles helps out, acquiring him. And we get a little more youthful. I’m excited. Can’t wait to start.”
