Next season’s roster lineup is expected to look quite different for the Phoenix Suns. It was expected once they were officially eliminated from playoff contention before the regular season concluded. The way the Suns’ season was going, large-scale changes were bound to happen. It started with the firing of Mike Budenholzer. Next up is trading away Kevin Durant, which will almost certainly occur, as the two parties have been working to make that happen already. With Durant likely on the move, it’s fair to question where that leaves Suns star and face of the franchise, Devin Booker. He could be traded if the Suns front office decides to gut the basement and start from scratch. Or, Booker could stay on board, which is what he reportedly desires.
Suns Have Committed Devin Booker in their Corner
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker indicates he wants to stay in the desert with contract extension in play this offseason
You could say the entire Suns organization is in flux right now. Mat Ishbia has been the target of some harsh criticism lately, primarily due to the head coaching carousel under his watch. There is also the Durant factor. Trading for KD in 2022 meant the heavy sacrifice of draft picks and solid role players, also under Ishbia’s watch. He recently hired Brian Gregory as the team’s new GM, demoting James Jones in the process to an advisory role. Now, with another head coach needed in the role, Durant likely to be traded, Booker’s future uncertain, and not a lot of assets under their belt, the Suns are in some muddy water.
For Booker, Phoenix has been his home and franchise since being drafted there in 2015. He led the Suns to the NBA finals in 2021, appeared in several playoff series since then, and kickstarted the Suns’ rise to one of the top teams in the West during the league’s 2020 “bubble” year. However, as it stands today, with expected significant changes this offseason, where does Booker land in all of this? According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on The Hoops Collective podcast, Booker is committed to Phoenix and is willing to re-up on a $149.8 million extension for two years.
“When it comes to Devin Booker, he in position to ask for a two-year, $150 million contract extension.” Windhorst said. “If the Suns are willing to offer it, and Booker is willing to sign it, which I’m sure he would…he’s not going anywhere. I don’t care if they’ve got 75 first-round draft picks.”
Is D-Book a true No. 1 or No. 2?
While Windhorst reported his information, podcast and ESPN partner Tim MacMahon added that Booker is “10 toes down in Phoenix”. If this is true, it could mean Booker stays around for at least a couple more seasons. That said, without Durant, is Booker capable of carrying the Suns alone? Is he a No.1 option? It’s a fair question, but also fair to remember he did lead the Suns to the finals in 2021. Durant was with the Brooklyn Nets at the time. Other than Chris Paul, Booker didn’t have another superstar, or star, for that matter, and still got Phoenix to the finals.
Whether Booker can replicate a run like that again is up in the air. If he does, it will be without Durant. If he’s not a No.1 option that can carry and lead the Suns back to finals, he is without question a solidified No.2. In that case, Phoenix needs to acquire somehow another superstar to pair with Booker. For now, if all goes as Booker would like, he will remain in Phoenix for the foreseeable future. Regarding what the Suns do outside of Booker, the offseason will answer those questions soon.
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