Is Devin Booker’s future with Suns in question after Kevin Durant trade?

Does Durant trade signify the end of Booker with Suns?

Booker’s passion for winning is equal or greater than his loyalty. The four-time All-Star has stated in the past that he wants to have a Kobe Bryant type of legacy with one franchise. He has done that with his help in the community and an entire city rallying around Booker. However, even Bryant had his doubts in his times with the Los Angeles Lakers, requesting a trade in 2007.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak responded to that trade request by going out and getting an All-Star in Pau Gasol, leading to Bryant and the franchise adding two more rings. In Booker’s case he had the opposite happen, with the Suns forced to trade Durant for middling pieces that don’t raise the team’s championship aspirations.

Booker has stated that he doesn’t want to go through another rebuild, a sentiment shared by owner Mat Ishbia. Since taking over the team in 2023, Ishbia has had a competitive spirit that has led to risky trades to try and raise the roster’s championship ceiling. That bravado has led the franchise to its current status of uncertainty with its star player.

Ishbia has made it clear that the team will never trade Booker and have done much work this offseason to make him happy. Booker was trusted to give his opinion on the hiring of new head coach Jordan Ott and reportedly “stamped” him for the position. Reports have indicated that the franchise will also likely offer him a record-breaking two-year, $150 million extension, keeping him in the Valley till the end of the 2030 season.

Until his name is signed on the dotted line of that extension, it’ll be unclear what Booker’s mindset of the Suns are heading into next year. Will the young superstar value loyalty over legacy, only time will tell.