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Mar 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) helps up guard Devin Booker (1) from the floor during the second half of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

'Last Two Years Were the Toughest' – Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker Opens Up About the Team’s ‘Disconnect’ Last Season

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Sep 28, 2025 11:09 PM ET

During the 2024-25 NBA season, the Phoenix Suns were a mess. Although they had three talented scorers in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, they couldn’t make things work. It was their second season together, and they were expected to perform better than the previous year. Unfortunately for the Suns, it got worse, and the team finished with a 36-46 record, missing the playoffs.

This summer, there were significant changes to the Suns’ roster. The front office orchestrated trading away Durant to the Houston Rockets in a record, seven-team deal. In return, Phoenix received Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, three first-round picks in the 2025 NBA draft and two future picks. They also had Beal agree to a contract buyout.

This left Booker as the lone star on the team. The Phoenix Suns star discussed what went wrong with the squad the previous season during their Media Day on Wednesday. According to the four-time All-Star, there was a bit of “disconnect” among the players since they didn’t have the same goals.

“There was a disconnect. I don’t think there was any hatred in our last group amongst the guys. I just think when you are all on a different plan and don’t have the same common goal or same objective than that’s what it turns into,” Booker said during his interview at “The Burns & Gambo Show”.

"Definitely the toughest two years of my career."

Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker discusses why the last couple of seasons were more difficult to navigate than even the lean years when winning didn't come easy.@BurnsAndGambo pic.twitter.com/AgcUrJubYK

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) September 25, 2025

According to Booker, the last two years were even harder than his first two in the league.

“Oh yea, way harder… We had started a rebuild then. And this last couple of years, it was a win a championship or bust. And we didn’t even make the Play-In. Definitely the toughest two years of my career.”

A former NBA player has demands for the Phoenix Suns star

“Dude Couldn’t Dribble For Real” - Phoenix Suns Star’s Development Gets Praised By D’Angelo Russell 15 Feb 27, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after being fouled by the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

It’s a new challenge for Booker and the Phoenix Suns next season. There have been predictions and polls, expecting them to be one of the worst teams in the league. The pressure is on the team, and more importantly, on the former Kentucky guard, according to former NBA player Kendrick Perkins.

Perkins demands that Booker step up and prove that he’s capable of leading the team during the recent episode of ESPN’s “NBA Today.”

“I’m looking at Devin Booker right now and saying, he’s on the clock,” Perkins said. “When I say on the clock, it’s time for Devin Booker to show the world that he belongs…”

“Can he be that guy, that number one option of this Phoenix Suns franchise? Yes, he went to the finals three or four years ago, but he had CP3, he had DeAndre Ayton…”

For Booker’s 11th year in the league, there’s a lot at stake and pressure.

Sep 24, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1), forward Dillon Brooks (3) and guard Jalen Green (4) pose for portrait during Media Day at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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