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What Stephen A. Smith is ‘Wondering’ About Devin Booker Could Have Massive Phoenix Suns Impact

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Nathaniel Holloway | Last updated Mar 4, 2025 12:00 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns have had a terrible season thus far and they are heading into an offseason that could see them make some major changes to their roster.

Entering the season, the Suns were expected to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference thanks to their superstar trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, along with them having the NBA’s highest payroll.

Instead, the Suns have disappointed as they have seen their playoff hopes take a major hit over the past month. Phoenix currently sits 11th in the west standings with a disappointing 28-33 record.

Of course, the Suns also sit four and a half games behind the Dallas Mavericks for the final Play-In spot in the West and they are running out of time to make a run.

If Phoenix is unable to make a run for a Play-In spot late in the regular season and they end missing the playoffs, they are expected to make some major changes in the offseason, which could see them trade away both Durant and Beal and rebuild around Booker.

While that may be the case, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith recently shared what he thinks could end up happening in Phoenix.

“I’m wondering when Devin Booker is gonna ask out,” Smith said on ESPN’s NBA Countdown earlier this week.

Stephen A: "I'm wondering when Devin Booker is gonna ask out?" pic.twitter.com/E5zyw4m7Tu
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) March 2, 2025

Of course, it is expected that if the Suns do make roster changes in the offseason that they will look to rebuild around Booker, but Smith brings up an interesting point.

Booker has stated that he would love to stay in Phoenix for the entirety of his career, but if the Suns continue to miss the playoffs or be an early exit, he could eventually demand a trade due to them not supplying him with help.

It also does not help that Phoenix’s big three has failed, especially after the franchise gave up most of their future to build it after the Suns had made it to the NBA Finals with Booker leading the way.

If the Suns continue to make poor decisions down the stretch of Booker’s career, it could eventually cause him to demand a trade, which would be absolutely devastating for the franchise.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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