NBA Executive Reveals Why Devin Booker Can’t Leave the Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker was one of the best performers in the NBA bubble. Under his leadership, the Phoenix Suns went on an undefeated eight-match winning streak in the Orlando Bubble. The Suns were the only team that went unbeaten in the bubble. Devin Booker was the undisputed MVP for the Phoenix Suns as they went on this run. But it wasn’t enough to help the Suns make the NBA playoffs. The Suns’ failure to make the playoffs has raised questions about Booker’s future at Phoenix.

Booker went to the Suns in 2015, as the 13th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Since entering the league, Booker has averaged close to 22 points per game. He is a former 3-point contest champion and in 2020, he became an All-Star for the first time. Yet, his great performances have not been enough to get the Phoenix Suns into the NBA playoffs.

The Suns have struggled to get Booker some help. No one can forget their absolute blunder in the 2018 NBA Draft where they got DeAndre Ayton with the number 1 overall pick, ahead of future stars like Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum, and Trae Young. A combination of one of the aforementioned players with Booker would’ve significantly elevated the Suns to playoff contenders. Additionally, Phoenix’s small market nature is a detriment to their ability to attract star free-agents.

Devin Booker staying put…for now.

The lack of help and playoff success for Devin Booker with Phoenix would suggest he could leave for a bigger team. However, in 2018 he signed a five-year max extension with Phoenix, locking down his future till 2023. Unless there is a massive trade for him, Booker will stay put in Phoenix for the foreseeable future.

However, it appears as though Booker has no intention of leaving the Phoenix Suns. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Suns have no intention of letting Booker go. “A league source also told HoopsHype there’s no truth to Devin Booker wanting out of Phoenix. Several executives who spoke with HoopsHype believe Booker won’t be going anywhere because of his contract situation and his talent as a franchise cornerstone at such a young age.”

Another source told them that while teams are interested in Booker, he wants to stay.“ ‘I think some teams would get aggressive for him, but I also heard that after Phoenix went 8-0 in the bubble, he wants to stay’ a third executive told HoopsHype.” It appears as though the Suns’ impressive 8-0 run in the NBA bubble has inspired confidence in Booker, and he wants to help elevate the team to playoff status.

While it appears as though Booker will remain in Phoenix, nothing is certain in the NBA. It’ll be interesting to see how the Suns perform this season, and if they can build off of their momentum from the end of the previous season.