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‘Why shouldn’t he…’ Charles Barkley tells Devin Booker how to feel as $150 million Phoenix Suns future becomes clear

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Jul 15, 2025 1:18 PM ET

Charles Barkley believes Devin Booker earning nearly $70 million a season should only evoke one emotion for the young star.

Despite all the turmoil surrounding the franchise, Devin Booker has no intention of leaving the Phoenix Suns. He intends to be with the franchise for as long as possible.

Booker is looking to sign a two-year, $150 million contract extension with the Suns. After Phoenix traded Durant to the Houston Rockets, the plan is to build around Booker.

That will become a lot easier once the Suns agree to a buyout with Bradley Beal. Building a new core around Booker will be challenging, given the Suns’ cap restraints and lack of assets.

Jalen Green is a young piece the Suns can add around Booker. Green himself backed himself and Booker to thrive as a backcourt duo.

But with the amount of money Booker is set to make, the Suns will always be his team. And Charles Barkley thinks the superstar now has nothing to be upset about.

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Charles Barkley says Devin Booker is lucky to earn $150 million

Charles Barkley spoke in an interview recently with Dan Patrick. When talking about his former team, the Phoenix Suns, the legend had a message for Devin Booker.

While he is happy for Booker earning the massive amount of money he will when he signs a new contract, Barkley warned that the young star has nothing to complain about anymore.

“He [Booker] should be the happiest person. He should just go around shaking people’s hands… Well, he’s gonna be happy twice a month, the 1st and the 15th. The 1st and the 15th, he’s gonna be real happy.

“You know, God bless these guys for how much money they make. I made more money than Dr. J and Bill Russell, and those guys. But these guys should always be in a good mood.

“Think about it, Devin Booker, who’s a hell of a player, is going to make $70M a year to dribble a stupid basketball. Why shouldn’t he be in a good mood? He’s the luckiest dude in the world.”

Phoenix Suns must bolster current roster as best they can

Heading into this new era, the Phoenix Suns are truly starting from scratch, as they have no assets to make any big, splashy trades.

Furthermore, the Suns are at the mercy of Bradley Beal’s big salary decision today which could make things tougher financially.

Regardless of the challenges they face, the Suns must try to find some players on cheap contracts to try and pad out their roster. Devin Booker may be re-signing, but he isn’t guaranteed to stick around forever.

Head coach Jordan Ott has praised the Suns’ signing Isaiah Livers on a two-way contract. Quite frankly, the best hope for the Suns is to find more underrated, economical prospects that can develop into stars.

Another big priority must be to develop the young talent. Suns’ #10 pick Khaman Maluach is showing a lot of promise, and the coaching staff must make sure to give him all the right tools to succeed.

Booker is doing the Suns a huge favor by committing his future to the team. The least the Suns can do is reward Booker’s loyalty with a solid plan.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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