Suns ‘Expected' To Make Major $149 Million Devin Booker Move This Summer
The Phoenix Suns had a brutal 2024-25 season. Despite having Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the team went 36-46 and didn't even make the play-in tournament.
Someone had to take the fall for the Suns' disastrous season and it was none other than head coach Mike Budenholzer, who was fired on Monday.
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Budenholzer lasted only one year in the desert, just like Frank Vogel, who was fired after the 2023-24 season.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Monday that the Suns and Durant are expected to work together on a trade and "retool" around Booker this summer. Booker has spent his entire career in Phoenix. He became the leading scorer in franchise history this season.
The Suns signed Booker to a four-year, $220 million extension in 2022. A four-time All-Star, Booker is eligible to sign a two-year $149.8 million extension this summer, and according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Phoenix is expected to offer that deal to Booker.
A Kentucky product, Booker appeared in 75 games this season for the Suns. He averaged 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 46.1% from the floor, 33.2% from beyond the arc and 89.4% from the free-throw line.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Booker and Budenholzer didn't have a good relationship, so the Suns had no choice but to fire Budenholzer.
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"As the season fell to pieces, Booker made a perceptible shift in speaking about the importance of his voice," Windhorst wrote. "It was multifaceted -- and intentional, sources said. He and Budenholzer got into a dust-up during the season about Booker's communication in team settings, such as in huddles and film sessions, sources said. Booker referencing it sent a message to the coach who was on his way out."
Booker has career averages of 24.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists.
He scored 70 points against the Boston Celtics in Boston during the 2016-17 campaign.
Related: Mike Budenholzer's Fatal Mistake With Bradley Beal - Asked Him To Emulate 2-Time NBA Champion
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New York Post
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