SportSpyder - The Latest Phoenix Suns News

22 August 2025

• [Last Word on Sports] - Why The Suns Should Build Around Devin Booker
  Over the past few years, the Phoenix Suns have featured multiple stars in their starting lineup. The last two seasons featured a potent trio with , and . But after exiting in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs and failing to qualify for the 2025 postseason, the Valley's big three disbanded. Durant left for the Houston Rockets, while Beal headed to the LA Clippers---both searching for a title in the autumn of their careers. And then there was one. Ever since being drafted by the Suns in 2015, Booker has been helped by teammates. In fact, he has been accompanied by at least one teammate averaging at least 18 points per game in eight of his 10 seasons from the likes of , and . The two seasons not included were the 2021 NBA Finals run and the campaign afterwards, where the Suns gained the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with the help of , and . Barring any trades, both and the team in general, Booker is set to be the only face of the team when the Suns start their regular season schedule on October 22nd against the . Yet, it might be the right move for the organization. Why The Suns Should Build Around Devin Booker Reason #1: He is smart with possession Despite the Suns never being kings of the NBA, they have been kings of one-on-one chances. Durant and Booker were both in the on individual chances last season. The chart also featured players such as , , and . All of them had more possessions than Booker, who had 497, and Durant, who had 583. With Durant gone, the Suns need someone who can find a way around defenders. Booker can provide those contested points, improving the Suns' production. His isolation can also provide comfortability on the ball, and poise that can spread throughout the team in tense situations. Additionally, the 2024-25 season was the first time since Booker's rookie voyage that he was not the team's leading scorer in points per game. Furthermore, he will enter the 2025-26 campaign with more motivation to dominate and take responsibility down the stretch. He excelled in doing that during the Suns' title-contending years with Paul at point guard. If Phoenix can utilize Booker in possession on and off the ball, the results can be lethal, both on the court and in the standings. Reason #2: He can lead a young core Booker has been viewed as a star player since joining the Suns. He has worked with mentors on the court (such as Bledsoe and Warren), and counterparts, including Durant and Beal. But many have seldom called the 28-year-old a leader at the NBA level. That could change this year, with the Suns receiving and , along with three draft picks, which include , and , in the Durant trade. That is a lot of players who will need to learn the Suns' philosophy and culture. It is also something that can set the tone for Jordan Ott's coaching staff going into the former assistant's first season in the Valley. Additionally, the Suns find themselves in rare territory with Green, who was the Rockets' leading scorer last season. While Green could lean on and for leadership in Houston, Booker can provide more guidance. He and Green can work together to create, and maybe challenge each other in the points category. In doing so, they could also become one of the best guard tandems in the league. Reason #3: He cares about the Valley , and are just a few legends that spent their entire career in the Valley, becoming a historical figure for their respective team. Despite , and (basketball legends in their own right) suiting up for the Suns in the NBA Finals, none of them spent their entire career in Arizona. Enter Booker, who on paper has done almost everything with the Suns. He won Rookie of the Year, played in the NBA All-Star Game four times, and . Yet, he continues to show up for the community through his . He also . More importantly, Booker agreed to a , the highest extension salary in NBA history, that would keep him in the Valley until the 2029-30 season. In an age of coaching turnover and star players leaving teams in hopes of gaining a ring, Booker remains focused on serving his adopted home. The team may have faced recent failures to reach expectations, but its fans continue to smile for him. © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The post appeared first on .
• [PHNX] - Is Devin Booker WORSE Than Karl-Anthony Towns, Ja Morant?
  Devin Booker has been disrespected his whole career, but is the Phoenix Suns star really a worse player than Karl-Anthony Towns and Ja Morant?
• [Arizona Sports] - Mat Ishbia believes he's taken some time to find the right culture with Suns & Mercury
  Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia gives Burns & Gambo a look of what the 2025-26 Suns will look like.
• [Arizona Sports] - How will the Phoenix Suns look this upcoming season?
  Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia gives Burns & Gambo a look of what the 2025-26 Suns will look like.Subscribe to the Arizona Sports daily newsletter: https://bi...
• [Arizona Sports] - Mat Ishbia says Suns’ culture is ‘defined very clearly now,’ takes blame for it not happening sooner
  In washing away some of their old mistakes this offseason, Suns owner Mat Ishbia believes the team's culture is now defined clearly.
• [Newsweek] - Suns Called Out For Costly $100 Million Offseason Decision
  The Phoenix Suns made arguably the worst move of the offseason, and were criticized for it.
• [The Arizona Republic] - Report: 2024 NBA Finals MVP's father arrested after stabbing in Las Vegas
  The father of Boston Celtics shooting guard Jaylen Brown has been arrested in connection with a stabbing in Las Vegas, according to reports.
• [Sports Illustrated] - Unique Suns-Lakers Trade Idea Sees Phoenix Continue Retool Around Devin Booker
  How quickly can the Phoenix Suns pivot from a failed core of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker to a retooled roster competent enough to make and compe
• [The Arizona Republic] - NBA 2K25 player rating: Where do Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker, Jalen Green rank?
  The popular NBA2K26 video game is scheduled to be released on Sept. 5.
• [Sports Illustrated] - Where Do Phoenix Suns' Starters Rank Against Rest of NBA?
  Phoenix's starting group looks completely different heading into the 2025 season.