Suns Preseason Slate: Detroit, Chicago, Then San Antonio Twice

Preseason opens at Detroit. Phoenix's first look at this group comes October 5, on the road against the Pistons. No games count yet — the Suns are 0-0 — but it is the first real read on how new pieces fit before the regular season starts.

Bulls follow two days later. Two days after Detroit, Phoenix visits Chicago on October 7. Back-to-back road stops open the preseason before the Suns even see their own arena, an early test of depth with the roster still settling after weeks of camp moves.

Spurs twice in five days. San Antonio is the only preseason opponent Phoenix plays twice: at home October 10, broadcast on ESPN2, then back in San Antonio October 14. That repeat matchup, and the wider audience the ESPN2 window brings, makes the Spurs the preseason opponent that matters most.

Two return dates land early. Duop Reath and CJ Huntley are each projected to be ready by October 1, Reath from a right foot and leg issue, Huntley from a hamstring problem. Both dates land before the Pistons opener, so neither figures to miss a preseason game if the timelines hold.

Williams still not cleared. Mark Williams remains out, sidelined since September 11 with a shoulder issue and no return date given; his estimate points to February. He will not play any of these four preseason games, and Phoenix's center rotation has to be sorted without him.

Center minutes are open. With Williams out, Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro get first crack at center minutes across the four preseason games, and Reath joins that mix if his foot holds up. How Jordan Ott splits those reps is the clearest preseason storyline at the position.

Opener still three weeks out. The preseason slate runs through at least October 14; the games that count start October 21 at Portland. Everything between now and then is evaluation for Reath and Huntley's health, for the center rotation, and for how the new roster pieces play together.