After finishing 11th in the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns find themselves preparing for a crucial offseason focused on hiring a new head coach and addressing major roster decisions. Central to these plans is Devin Booker, whose role has been reaffirmed by Suns owner Mat Ishbia amid swirling trade rumors.
The Suns parted ways with coach Mike Budenholzer and have considered making significant roster moves, including discussions about trading Kevin Durant. However, recent speculation suggesting that Devin Booker might be traded has been firmly dismissed by Ishbia. Known for his aggressive approach to building a championship contender—having previously acquired stars like Durant and Bradley Beal—Ishbia emphasized that Booker remains the cornerstone of the franchise.
“It’s silly. So here’s what I’ll tell you: I have Devin Booker in the prime. In order to win an NBA championship, you got to have a superstar. You got to have a great player,”
Ishbia said, cutting off questions about a possible Booker trade.
Booker, who secured a four-year, $220 million contract extension in 2022, also reaffirmed his commitment to Phoenix. He expressed deep pride in the local community that supported him from his early days and acknowledged the pressure of being the franchise player.
“I take pride in the community in Phoenix, the people that have supported me since I was 18, when things were ugly,”
Booker said.
“And the people with us fell just short of accomplishing what we wanted. That’s the responsibility of being a franchise player, and I wear that with honor. So it might not look the most pretty right now, but we’ve got to get it done, and I am going to do it.”
Booker is arguably the Suns’ most crucial player, serving as both the face of the franchise and its all-time leading scorer with 16,452 career points as of the 2024–25 season. His loyalty is notable in an era when star players frequently change teams, but this steadfastness will require smart organizational decisions, particularly in coaching, to maximize the team’s potential.
Booker’s Influence on Coaching Selection Reflects Ishbia’s Commitment
The Suns are indicating that Booker will play an active role in selecting the next head coach, a move signaling the importance of aligning the coaching hire with the star player’s outlook. This involvement is seen as a strong sign of owner Ishbia’s desire to keep Booker as the team‘s franchise cornerstone rather than considering a trade.
“Devin Booker has had a level of involvement with candidates in this stage of interviews, this also shows Mat Ishbia’s loudly stated determination to keep Booker in place as the team’s cornerstone,”
noted an expert comment shared publicly.
Since Ishbia’s takeover in 2022, the Suns have experienced instability on the sidelines, having changed head coaches three times in three years: Monty Williams in 2023, Frank Vogel in 2024, and most recently Mike Budenholzer. This revolving door has contributed to a lack of cohesion that the Suns hope to resolve with careful coaching choices.
Potential Coaching Candidates from Successful NBA Staffs
The Suns are focused on several top assistant coaches from respected NBA teams as they pursue their next leader. At the top of their list are Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott of the Cleveland Cavaliers, alongside Dave Bliss, a coach from the NBA Finals-contending Oklahoma City Thunder.
Johnnie Bryant joined the Cavaliers bench last season after spending four years as an associate head coach with the New York Knicks, where he earned praise from Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.
“Johnnie has got a bright future,”
Thibodeau commented.
“He is an excellent teacher. He’s done a great job.”
Jordan Ott has a long history of working with current Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson, having followed him from Brooklyn to Cleveland, with a two-year stint at the Los Angeles Lakers in between. Both Bryant and Ott bring strong resumes from respected coaching trees.
Chris Quinn from the Miami Heat and Sean Sweeney of the Dallas Mavericks are also considered potential candidates as part of the Suns’ search for fresh leadership that can stabilize the franchise and support Booker’s ambitions.
Looking Ahead: The Role of Booker and Coaching in Suns’ Pursuit of a Title
Devin Booker’s guaranteed role combined with Ishbia’s commitment to building around him highlights the Suns’ strategy for the upcoming seasons. The franchise’s ability to pick a coach who can effectively work with Booker and the existing roster will be critical in transforming their recent struggles into success.
As the Suns proceed with interviews and final evaluations, Booker’s influence on the coaching decision marks a shift toward a player-centered approach in the organization. This could enable a more cohesive team environment aimed at achieving the championship aspirations that Ishbia envisions for Phoenix.