Talent only gets you so far: Devin Booker opens up on a ‘very frustrating’ season for the Suns.
Devin Booker finds himself in a challenging situation. The Phoenix Suns, a team once filled with championship aspirations, now languish in 10th place in the Western Conference, scrambling for a spot in the play-in tournament. The franchise’s struggles have raised eyebrows, especially after they attempted to trade Kevin Durant, a move that left many, including Durant himself, stunned. Meanwhile, Bradley Beal’s name has circulated in trade rumors, despite his no-trade clause, and speculation about coach Mike Budenholzer’s job security adds to the uncertainty.
The Suns appear poised for significant changes this offseason, with their three star players all under maximum contracts and little to show for their efforts.
This leads to a pressing question: What does the future hold for Booker, a 28-year-old who recently signed a four-year, $224 million supermax extension, keeping him with the Suns through the 2027-28 season?
When asked about the possibility of being traded, Booker acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the NBA. He referenced the shocking trade of Luka Doncic, a young star considered among the league’s elite, to the Los Angeles Lakers. “Look at the situation that got Luka here,” he remarked to FOX Sports. “I understand that it’s a business. I’ve been around a long time. The Luka one is probably the craziest trade we’ve seen. But the game just keeps going.”
Suns owner Mat Ishbia has publicly stated that trading Booker is not on the table, emphasizing, “I have Devin Booker in his prime. In order to win an NBA championship, you have to have a superstar.” Booker, for his part, seems uninterested in a trade.
However, the mounting frustrations are palpable for Booker. The Suns made it to the NBA Finals in 2021 but have failed to progress past the second round since then.
Reflecting on a recent trip to Los Angeles, Booker felt the weight of change. Four years ago, he celebrated a victory over the LA Clippers in the Western Conference finals. Now, he stands in the same locker, feeling the stark contrast of the current situation.
He recalls the jubilant moment vividly. His teammates drenched Chris Paul with water, while Deandre Ayton, sprawled on the floor, hugged the conference finals trophy, playfully asking, “Why she play so hard to get?” Back then, Booker was filled with optimism about winning his first championship.
Fast forward to March 16, where Booker found himself surrounded by reporters after a loss to a LeBron James-less Lakers team. The questions were relentless, highlighting the Suns’ struggles despite their seemingly stacked roster. The mood in the locker room was grim, especially following a dismal February where they only won three games.
Booker didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration. “Very frustrating,” he said to FOX Sports. “We celebrated the Western Conference finals right here. I was standing in the same spot.”
It’s perplexing that the Suns find themselves in this predicament, especially with a coach like Budenholzer, who has championship experience, and stars like Durant and Beal. Together, they have a combined seven All-Star appearances, yet the results are lacking.
So, what exactly is going wrong?
The Suns recently managed to secure two consecutive wins against Toronto and Chicago, but the road ahead remains challenging. They face formidable opponents, including the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, second-seeded Boston Celtics, and fifth-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in their next three games.
Booker’s journey with the Suns has been a rollercoaster ride. He witnessed the team’s transformation from a playoff outsider to a Finals contender in 2021. However, after owner Ishbia’s aggressive moves to acquire Durant and Beal, last season’s injuries served as an excuse.
But this year, the Suns have run out of reasons for their struggles.
Through it all, Booker has emerged as a four-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. This season, he averages 25.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists over 37.4 minutes, shooting 45.7% from the field and 34.7% from three-point range.
This past summer, Coach Steve Kerr dubbed Booker the “unsung MVP” of Team USA during their gold medal run at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Booker played a pivotal role, starting every game and achieving a remarkable +130 plus-minus rating over 11 games, the highest on the team.
Back in 2021, LeBron James also acknowledged Booker’s talent, labeling him “the most disrespected player in our league” after he was overlooked for the All-Star Game. He later joined the team as an injury replacement for Anthony Davis.
When asked about the recognition he receives, Booker responded with a shrug.
“From the people that I respect,” he told FOX Sports. “I wouldn’t want it any other way. Social media, they can do what they want. When you’re getting claimed that by two Hall of Famers, [including] one, [who’s] arguably the best player to ever live, it means a lot. I developed a good relationship with all those guys through the summer at the Olympics. The respect is real. I can feel it when they talk to me.”
Although Booker didn’t make the All-Star Game this year, it’s evident that those who matter most appreciate his contributions on the court. Ishbia, in particular, sees him as the team’s untouchable player.
As the Suns’ future hangs in the balance, Booker remains optimistic about finding a way to turn things around and continuing his journey with the franchise that selected him 13th overall in 2015.
He often reflects on how the Suns rose from the bottom just four years ago, a fact that resonated with him during his recent locker room visit in Los Angeles.
He chooses to believe they can achieve that resurgence again.
“We were at the bottom of the league,” Booker stated. “So, it’s something that I’ve seen can turn around. I’ve seen it be fixed before. So, that’s the motivation. Just do that again.”
