Why Devin Booker’s desire to stay with the Suns matters.
Alas, the trade deadline has passed, and now the Phoenix Suns must ride out the final 32 games of the season, hoping to do enough to make it to the postseason. It’s going to be a unique challenge, especially since the team has shown little consistency and earned little faith in their ability to be a truly impactful squad. Talent aside, Phoenix has its fair share of issues.
But even more problems loom on the horizon. The offseason will be here before we know it, and after the Suns took calls on Kevin Durant, the big question is what happens this summer. Will Durant stay and sign an extension? Will he be traded? And is he upset that Phoenix even entertained offers for him?
For many Suns fans, the potential for a soft rebuild seems increasingly likely. If Durant leaves, what happens to Devin Booker?
We’re just days removed from Devin Booker accomplishing a feat worth celebrating. He surpassed Walter Davis to become the all-time leading scorer in Phoenix Suns history. A player beloved and respected by the fan base now sits at the top of the mountain.
The moment Devin Booker became the Suns franchise scoring leader
15,668 points and counting pic.twitter.com/hVRtabdJzR
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 4, 2025
He recently dedicated a basketball court in North Phoenix, adorned with elements that remind us of Booker and his impact. His connection to the fan base and the community is something special. Something rare in today’s NBA, where team hopping has become the norm. And it’s something the fan base definitely appreciates.
When was the last time you attended a Phoenix Suns game? Did you hear the starting five announced? There’s no question in anyone’s mind inside that arena who the favorite Sun is on this team. It’s Devin Armani Booker.
But can Devin Booker stand through another rebuild or retool? In his ten years with the team, he’s seen a lot, and unfortunately, a lot of losing. In 643 games with the Suns, he’s lost 329 of them, giving him a .488 winning percentage. That uncertainty weighs heavily on people’s minds. If Kevin Durant leaves, could Booker follow suit?
Speaking Friday on ESPN’s “The Hoop Collective,” Brian Windhorst shared, “I have to say, I don’t think they’re going to trade Devin Booker,. Devin Booker wants to be there.”
“Devin Booker,” he added, “wants to be a Phoenix Sun for his whole career.”
It’s up to Phoenix to make it worth his while to stay. One thing the Suns have going for them is Mat Ishbia. He’s going to swing for the fences and do everything in his power to bring a winner to Phoenix. Even though this past iteration was clumsily handled, there’s still plenty of time to build around Booker. He’s 28, in his prime, and a player worth building a future around. Sure, there are plenty of assets you could get for him if you were to go nuclear, but I don’t think that’s the move here.
If the Suns want to move Durant this summer and gather assets, they should go ahead, especially if he’s upset enough to leave. But the real unfortunate part? Bradley Beal should be the one on the move. The Suns should be building around Booker and KD, but that’s just not where things are right now.
So, if you need to trade Durant, do it. Ride out Beal’s contract, and when Booker hits 30, you retool around him.
The key is knowing Booker wants to stay. That’s paramount. You reward that loyalty, you cherish it, and you build around it. Fortify it with a winning team. Hopefully, next time, they get it right.
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