Booker hints that Johnson, Bridges could return to Suns

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams speaks with Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks in game three of the second round of the 2022 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Devin Booker hints that Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges could eventually return to Suns

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Feb 10, 2023 10:52 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns paid a hefty price to acquire former Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant ahead of the NBA's trade deadline. However, Devin Booker hinted after Friday night's win over the Indiana Pacers that two pieces of the Durant trade could eventually return to The Valley.

When speaking with reporters, Booker called losing Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges to Brooklyn " bittersweet" before leaving the door open for both to come back eventually.

"We'll be brothers for life and stay in contact," Booker said. "And we'll see what they're doing in 2026."

Devin Booker on Mikal and Cam:

“We’ll be brothers for life and stay in contact. And we’ll see what they’re doing in 2026.”

— andrew leezus (@AndrewLeezus) February 11, 2023

Booker is partially correct about 2026. Johnson is a restricted free agent at the end of the year. Meanwhile, the Suns would have to wait a while to add Bridges back to the fold. The 26-year-old is under contract for three more seasons and won't be an unrestricted free agent until 2026.

While Booker said he thought he'd play his entire career alongside Johnson and Bridges, he turned to the bright side of the deal, Durant.

"You have one of the best players to ever touch a basketball coming in here," Booker said. "So, it's exciting times for the Phoenix Suns."

It's unclear when Durant could make his Suns debut. Durant didn't play for the Suns on Friday and hasn't suited up since leaving the Nets' contest against the Miami Heat with a knee injury on Jan. 8.

The Suns have two more games left before the All-Star break, and they might err on the side of caution and keep Durant out until they return to action against one of his former teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder, on Feb. 24.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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