Dillon Brooks signs a bargain extension, Suns management hailed as geniuses

Young players in today's league often seek massive contracts well above their market value, but 30-year-old Dillon Brooks has personally demonstrated the wisdom of knowing when to take a sure thing and secure the bag.

Brooks agreed to a three-year, $73 million contract extension with the Suns today, with an average annual value of under $25 million. For comparison, Kuminga's reported expected annual salary at the start of this free agency was also $25 million, yet the gap in skill level between Brooks and Kuminga is clearly more than one tier.

Last season with the Suns, Brooks produced the best season of his career, averaging 20.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1 steal per game. His ability to create his own offense was a pleasant surprise for Phoenix, and despite taking a high volume of pull-up threes, he still shot 34.4% from beyond the arc.

In the playoffs, Brooks played four games, averaging 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, while his three-point shooting skyrocketed to 43.8% compared to the regular season. With the Suns' backcourt completely locked down by the Thunder, Brooks was the most consistent scoring option, delivering the best playoff series of his career.

Under these circumstances, Brooks did not ask the Suns for an exorbitant nine-figure extension during the offseason. Instead, he chose a relatively team-friendly deal, securing his money early. If Kuminga had put up similar numbers, he would never sign without a max contract.

From the Suns' perspective, the 30-year-old Brooks is at the peak of his career. He has always been a solid defender throughout his career, and his offensive game has dramatically improved since joining Phoenix, making him the second scoring option behind Booker. His current contract is even a declining one—$21 million last season and $20 million next season—making it already a bargain. Retaining Brooks for less than a $5 million raise is an incredible value.

From Brooks' perspective, he has never been greedy, which is partly due to his background. Drafted 45th overall in the second round of the 2017 draft, he was fortunate to get significant playing time immediately. He played all 82 games as a rookie, starting 74 of them, and averaged 11 points per game—a dream start for a second-round pick.

His first long-term contract was a three-year, $35 million deal with the Grizzlies, following a season where he averaged 16.2 points. If Brooks were greedy, he could have waited until free agency to seek a much larger contract.

His second long-term deal came in the 2023 offseason when he agreed to a four-year, $86 million extension with the Rockets, which was also considered a bargain at the time. Brooks' 3-and-D skills and his rare mental toughness gave the Rockets a rugged wing player.

Notably, Brooks personally negotiated an incentive clause with the Rockets: a $1 million bonus if the team made the playoffs. At that time, the Rockets were second-to-last in the West and nowhere near the playoffs, but Brooks' confidence in his own abilities was absolute.

Two years later, the Rockets indeed made the playoffs, finishing second in the West, and Brooks earned that bonus with peace of mind. He proved his value and was then traded alongside Jalen Green for Kevin Durant. In that trade,

the most valuable asset was likely Jalen Green, followed by the 10th pick, and finally Brooks. Yet now, Brooks has become the Suns' biggest gain, gradually establishing himself as an indispensable player for the team.

Last season, against all odds, the Suns made the playoffs again, and Brooks once again received his $1 million playoff bonus. Brooks could have signed a four-year, $125 million extension, and he would have been worth every penny, but he ultimately agreed to take a pay cut. The Suns' front office may not have made splashy moves this offseason, but every transaction they've made deserves high marks.

In addition to the team-friendly extension for Brooks, the Suns also re-signed reliable three-point shooter Gillespie to a four-year, $48 million deal, Williams to a three-year, $38 million contract, and the hard-nosed Goodwin to a three-year, $19 million deal. These four extensions are all financially prudent, keeping the core of last season's roster together without significant cost.

Furthermore, they traded Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, and an unprotected 2033 first-round pick to the Hornets for Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick, and a second-round pick. This upgrade on the wing came without losing too many draft assets.

Don't forget, in free agency, the Suns also signed Kennard, who shot 47.8% from three last season, to a two-year, $13 million contract. Kennard also passed the playoff test and was a crucial floor-spacer for the Lakers in their series against the Rockets. To land such a player for that little money, the Suns' front office is quietly making big moves.

After buying out Bradley Beal, the Suns have roughly $20 million in dead money on their cap each year. Under these circumstances, it would be nearly impossible for Phoenix to re-enter championship contention anytime soon. However, the Suns have not been discouraged; instead, they've focused on internal development and smart spending to maintain competitiveness. Next season, the Suns might still be a dark horse.