Devin Booker has 'unfinished business' in Phoenix, says it's 'my responsibility' to win title with Suns

Things will be different this season for Devin Booker in Phoenix. The Suns fired Mike Budenholzer, traded away Kevin Durant and cut ties with Bradley Beal. That’s a combined 43.6 points per game and a head coach out, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks in with head coach Jordan Ott hired. Despite all of the moving parts, the former Kentucky star still felt comfortable enough with the franchise to sign a two-year, $145 million maximum extension this summer.

Why? He feels he owes a championship to Phoenix after a decade with the team that first took a chance on him as a teenager. The Suns have been close — they were up 2-0 in the NBA Finals back in 2021 — but unable to finish the job.

Booker believes it’s time.

“From being at the bottom and almost getting the job done, I have unfinished business here. I know how much it would mean to this city and this organization,” he said at Suns Media Day. “That’s my job as a leader, that’s my responsibility of being a franchise player.”

He’s made over $215 million already with $520 million in career earnings by the time his next deal expires in 2029 as a 33-year-old. The Suns have invested in him plenty, and it’s led to four All-Star appearances, two All-NBA selections and two Olympic gold medals for Team USA while becoming the franchise career leader in points this past season, averaging 25-plus points per game in each of the past seven seasons. Individually, he’s earned every dime, but he wants to prove he can be even more for Phoenix.

It starts with being a leader to lean on amid so much change this offseason. It ends with the Suns’ first-ever world championship.

“The leadership aspect is going to be more important than ever this year,” Booker said Wednesday. “Just realizing our roster, the age of our roster, and just the experience that I’ve had and what I’ve seen. I’m going to do what I can, I’m always going to use my voice.

“I feel like I used my voice a lot last year, too, but we just fell short. It wasn’t as connected as we wanted to be. I don’t think anybody had problems with each other off the court, we just simply weren’t connected enough.”

Suns owner Mat Ishbia said it was a no-brainer to pay Booker whatever it took to keep him in Phoenix and lead his franchise. He believes in the former Wildcat to get them there, even after the dust has settled on outgoing and incoming pieces elsewhere.

The one constant is all that matters.

“Devin Booker is the franchise player; he’s one of the greatest Suns of all time, as we all know. He’s been here his whole career and we signed him to an extension hoping to keep him here his whole career,” he said. “The best part about Devin is he wants to be here just like we want him here. That’s what a great marriage looks like. Everyone wants to be in it together. … He’s the guy, he’s the franchise player.

“To compete for championships, you have to have a top 10, top 15 player in the NBA, and Devin Booker is that. Hopefully Devin Booker can step up even more than that. He’s that kind of guy. … He’s one of the best players in the NBA and I’m super excited to see him succeed this year and for years to come. I said this a couple of years ago, ‘I’m a lucky guy to own a team that has Devin Booker as a franchise guy.’ …

“He wants to be here, we want him here, the fans love him. He’s everything to the community out there. How could we not have Devin Booker here?”