Devin Booker isn’t running from the pressure in Phoenix. Fresh off signing a two-year, $145 million extension, the Phoenix Suns star made it clear he still has “unfinished business” with the franchise, saying it’s his duty as the face of the team to lead them to a championship.
“I have unfinished business here,” Booker said, via The Athletic. “I know how much it would mean to this city and this organization. That’s my job as a leader. It’s my responsibility as a franchise player. I understand how much my voice amongst the younger team that we have now matters, so it’s my job to handle that.”
Loyalty is a dying virtue in the NBA but Booker’s loyalty has not been shaken. Even after multiple failed seasons, which Booker said was the worst stretch of his career so far, he hasn’t shown any signs of frustration. From Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton to Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Suns have tried everything to reward their franchise star with a title run but nothing has worked and expectations remain low going into next season.
Without Kevin Durant or really any proven star besides Booker, the Suns’ fall has been brutal and many players in Booker’s shoes would have asked out years ago. With career averages of 24.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, he has the game to take full control of his career but he’s resisted the urge to don a different jersey. Instead, Booker is committed to seeing it through in Phoenix and finishing what he started when he first arrived back in 2015.
Now, at 28 years old, Book is entering the prime of his career, but will it be enough for the Suns to be competitive in the West? After their recent failures, many fans are hesitant to rank the Suns as a top Western team but, internally, there is a belief that they can make a run. Besides Booker, they can lean on support from players like Jalen Green, Mark Williams, and Dillon Brooks.
The difference with this team compared to last year’s, at least according to team owner Mat Ishbia, is a shift in strategy and culture. This season, the Suns want to establish championship habits both on the court and in the locker room that will help the players maximize their strengths. Instead of being a top-heavy team, Phoenix wants to be defined by its team-first culture and a balanced roster that has everyone playing in their roles.
It’s a major change for the Suns that wasn’t always easy but it’s clearly enough for Booker to be hopeful about the future. All that’s left to do now is show their growth on the court and prove that they are better than people are giving them credit for.
Devin Booker could have walked away from the Suns years ago, but instead, he’s doubling down on the franchise that drafted him. The path to contention won’t be easy, especially in a loaded Western Conference, but Booker is fully committed to carrying Phoenix back into relevance. If the Suns can establish the kind of winning culture he’s talking about, his loyalty might finally pay off with the championship he’s been chasing since day one.
