Phoenix Suns commit to Devin Booker with record extension

The Phoenix Suns, an NBA franchise, confirmed a significant contract extension for guard Devin Booker on July 10, 2025. This extension, worth $145 million over two years, is the maximum amount allowed according to NBA rules, as Booker already had three years remaining on a previous supermax contract. The Suns have positioned Booker as a cornerstone player for their team, especially following their recent trade of superstar Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. Despite his impressive stats—averaging 27.8 points and 5.5 assists during the 2022-2023 season—Booker's ranking within the league has been questioned; ESPN placed him as the 15th-best player heading into last season, and he was ranked 19th by The Ringer. This decision raises concerns about whether the Suns are making the correct long-term choices, given their past mistakes during the Big Three era. For context, Devin Booker has already achieved notable accolades in his career, including being a four-time All-Star and earning All-NBA honors. Historically, the Suns have successfully reached the playoffs for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2024 but missed the postseason in 2025 with a 36-46 record. As the Suns commit financially to Booker, they are also facing challenges regarding their roster depth and future draft capital, having traded many future picks to acquire other star players like Bradley Beal while also giving up crucial second-round picks in recent drafts. This extension places significant financial pressure on the team's salary cap moving forward, particularly if they want to re-sign or acquire additional key players. The recent trade of Kevin Durant, alongside the extension for Booker, indicates that the organization is attempting to pivot from previous strategies that did not yield desired outcomes. The Suns faced scrutiny post-Durant's acquisition as they struggled to find the right chemistry and depth despite having multiple star players. The hefty financial implications of Booker's new contract, which is projected to account for nearly 45% of the salary cap during its second year, suggest that the Suns might be limiting their future roster flexibility. While Booker has demonstrated the potential to remain healthy, the risks inherent in paying such a substantial sum to a player not universally viewed as an elite talent continue to loom large for the franchise. Overall, time will tell if the Suns' gamble on Booker will lead to success or further difficulties in their pursuit of a championship.