How The Phoenix Suns Cultivated Team Chemistry During NBA China Trip

The ethos of this Phoenix Suns season will be team unity and collective grit, two qualities that took center stage in Macao during the 2025 NBA China Games.

When the Suns found out they were selected to represent the NBA in its return to China, they wanted to accomplish two things: Put on a show for the fans, and leave with a brotherhood that’s rare to find in early October.

Phoenix, led by Devin Booker, checked both boxes.

On the court, their preseason action was a huge step forward. They split the mini-series with Brooklyn, winning the first game in overtime and coming up short in the final minute of Sunday’s rematch.

But if anyone questioned how quickly this new squad could grow together off the court, Jordan Goodwin’s game-winner and the ensuing celebration illustrated how much fun they’re having behind the scenes.

It was a snapshot of the camaraderie Phoenix has been preaching since the moment they assembled the team.

With the Suns only returning 50% of their rotational minutes from last year, they considered it one of their training camp non-negotiables to get everyone acclimated with each other.

Continuity isn’t the be-all and end-all for success in the NBA, but it increases a team’s chances when they don’t have to spend the first portion of the season learning each other’s tendencies. The Suns were on the other side of that equation after the Finals run in 2021, averaging roughly 73% continuity in the two years that followed.

The newness of this upcoming Suns season doesn’t stop with the players. There’s also a new head coach in town, as Jordan Ott prepares for his first gig as the man in charge.

Ott laid the foundation over the summer, meeting with his players individually and getting to know them. First as people, before any mention of basketball.

When guys started coming into the practice facility for voluntary workouts, Ott and his staff put together a specialized plan for each – what to prioritize for training, what film to watch, and how to prepare for the season ahead.

Phoenix was among the first teams to kick off training camp early, with media day occurring Sept. 24 and flowing directly into the high-intensity practices that Ott said were helpful for everyone.

When the China trip started inching closer, they viewed it as a major advantage over other NBA teams trying to incorporate new pieces.

Grayson Allen, who is shockingly the Suns’ second-longest tenured player behind Booker, has welcomed all of the new additions. He understands how vital the connectivity piece of a new group is, even if he jokes about the uniquely long plane-ride.

“We’ve spent a ton of time together,” Allen laughed. “The 15-hour flight … we’re almost spending too much time together, I’m getting sick of these guys!”

In the beginning stages of any season, there’s no such thing as overdoing it. Teammates have to absorb information. They have to know what motivates each other, what makes certain guys tick, and how to playfully jab at each other to lighten the mood when the dog days of the season arrive.

That’s mostly what the flight entailed, as newly-signed forward Nigel Hayes-Davis says wi-fi wasn’t a priority for the team.

“It’s been good,” Allen added. “It’s a very new group, a lot of us are playing together for the first time. It’s been cool to spend this time together and get that chemistry going early.”

In total, the Suns had nearly 30 hours of airtime in the past week. Whether it was your typical card games or learning who had the best music taste among the group, each player had their chance to make an impression.

When NBA teams embark on such a long flight, they focus on details that might seem minuscule but can have a strong impact on players. For instance, the Suns’ health and performance created a full itinerary for their flights – including designated times for meals, when the lights should be dimmed for sleeping, and when to force themselves to stay awake while adjusting to the time difference.

The plan seemed to work, as Booker says the trip to China didn’t fatigue him like he was expecting. He also believes it’s easier for the team to jell outside of Phoenix, as it naturally keeps everyone’s schedule aligned.

“Honestly this time around, I haven’t even been jet lagged,” Booker admitted. “So the routine is still there and we’re enjoying ourselves. I think it’s also good to get the team away from our normal comfort zone and get on the road together before we start the season. I think it builds a lot of camaraderie and we can start building chemistry. I’m not saying there’s distractions at home, you know, but we’re all here together and it’s good to do experiences outside basketball together.”

Once they touched down in China, each of the team-building activities had a purpose. Suns staffers found a healthy balance for the players as they mixed business with leisure.

Some down time was necessary, giving everyone a chance to turn off their basketball brains and relax after a long stretch of camp. But one thing was for certain: Any time they stepped on the court for practice, it was going to feel like a game.

“You could feel [the intensity],” Ott said. “That’s who these guys are. We just have to continue to bring it out. Every single day, I think we’ve had 10 or 11 practices now, and every single one you come away from it with how hard these guys compete. That’s what we want to be about. The roster is full of those guys.”

Nobody on this version of the team is wired to take it easy. That’s why Ott and the staff think people will be surprised by their progress when the season begins.

While most of the week was spent roaming Macao and implementing new on-court principles, they took advantage of the shared spaces within the hotel to maximize their time together. Inside the St. Regis Macao, located along the popular Cotai Strip with a Vegas-style energy, players and coaches connected over multiple dinners. There was also a training room where guys could lift together so they didn’t break their daily habits.

Arguably nobody benefited more from China than the Suns’ rookies.

Rasheer Fleming immediately felt the difference, with this being his first glimpse into an NBA locker room. Fans might perceive him as the shy member of the group, often flying under the radar, but the Macao trip was an opportunity for all types of personalities to blend together.

He couldn’t believe how quickly the friendships have formed.

“Honestly, we’re all like brothers,” Fleming says. “Already — it happened super fast. The bonding here has been really cool.”

Rookies inevitably go through an adjustment when they arrive on the NBA scene. The season is nearly three times longer than a standard college year, playing 82 games instead of 30 with extended road trips and back-to-backs sprinkled in.

The most successful rookie campaigns come from those who get acclimated quicker and adopt a routine that helps with the nonstop grind.

Fleming, along with sharpshooter Koby Brea and lottery pick Khaman Maluach, couldn’t ask for a better training camp. Veterans did their part in showing them the ropes, while the rooks tried to influence their vets with TikTok trends and other Gen-Z obsessions.

“It’s been amazing,” Brea said. “First time hitting the road playing for an NBA team. I feel like this is bringing us closer as a group, being out in a different country and doing this together. Whether it’s bus rides, plane rides, or coming to practice everyday, it’s great doing it together.”

The Suns and Nets participated in NBA Fan Day on Oct. 11, interacting with fans and engaging in skills competitions at The Venetian Arena in Macao. This was a critical part of the trip, as the Chinese fanbase had been starving for NBA action dating back to 2019.

Celebrities such as Edan Lui were able to team up with their favorite Suns player and compete against other tandems in shooting drills.

Hundreds of autographs were signed and free memorabilia was distributed to fans, making it a special experience for a region that doesn’t regularly get that exposure to NBA stars.

Booker even left a few pairs of his signature Nike shoes around the city for fans to discover through his version of a scavenger hunt – one of his favorite things to do for giveaways.

Appealing to the league’s international viewership has always been important to him, so he relished the chance to expose his teammates to that atmosphere.

And it wasn’t the first time he’s

Booker routinely spends a portion of his summer in Flagstaff because of the cooler temperatures and his love for the outdoors. Over the years, a few of his teammates have accepted an invitation to come hang.

But this year was different for the franchise’s cornerstone.

According to Suns sideline reporter Amanda Pflugrad, it was Booker’s mini-camp in Flagstaff that set the tone for this preseason. The entire roster joined him for competitive scrimmages, team dinners, and a few rounds of golf:

Entering his 11th season, Booker has been through it all. He’s seen the structure of teams that succeed and ones that never stood a chance from the start. The last decade of experience – while still firmly pushing back on his “unc” status – has given Booker the insight of what strong leaders do for their team.

It has also given him the appropriate cachet around the league. Superstars and role players respect him, including some of his fiercest rivals.

Dillon Brooks had only played 15 games against Booker throughout his career in Memphis and Houston, but each battle demanded the best out of both guys. Over a hundred possessions were spent matched up with each other, pushing their competitive fire to the limit.

Shortly after Brooks was told about the deal sending him and Jalen Green to Phoenix, he knew exactly which number to dial.

“My first call when I got traded was to Book, trying to get acquainted,” Brooks said. “He’s been like a big brother to me. Taking me under his wing. We’re always talking every single day. To be able to play beside him [instead of] guard him is better for me.”

Members of the team, Brooks included, have already felt the impact Booker is determined to make in the most pivotal year of his career. Equally as important are the indirect results of his leadership, such as setting an example for Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro to follow. With the team getting younger, both will be thrust into that role as big brothers sooner than later.

Most projection systems have left Phoenix out of the playoff discussion for this season. Vegas set their over-under win total at 31.5, while ESPN’s Kevin Pelton has the Suns winning 35 games based on his combination of advanced metrics.

While the Western Conference will be difficult, those predictions underestimate the value of

Often the most dangerous teams are those playing freely, devoid of outside expectations.

With only nine days until opening night,