PHOENIX — Following their worst loss of the season, the Phoenix Suns are continuing to spiral out of control after a new report revealed that coach Mike Budenholzer preferred franchise star Devin Booker take a step back from being a leader.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Senior NBA Insider Chris Haynes reported on the matter in his most recent Haynes Brief, stating that Budenholzer pulled the 28-year-old star aside weeks ago and asked him to “tone it down to allow for the coach’s voice to be heard.”
“This completely shocked Booker,” Haynes added.
Sources: Weeks ago Suns coach Mike Budenholzer called a meeting with Devin Booker imploring he tone it down vocally, leaving the star shocked. Inside that meeting which provides context to Booker’s postgame remarks on communicating. #haynesbriefs
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— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 28, 2025
Following their crushing loss to the New Orleans Pelicans Thursday, Booker spoke to the media with a pointed message; that the team needs more communication if they want any chance at turning the ship around.
“It could be fixed with just a little bit more talking,” Booker said. “Things get tough, we get quiet as a team, and from my experience and what I’ve seen, that’s not the way to get through it.
“No skipping over the details and always taking the ‘get ’em next game’ mentality. At some point you’ve got to draw a line and it should’ve been drawn a long time ago. I’d rather two people say the wrong thing to each other out there than nobody talk at all and leave the gray area.
“I always look at myself first — um — but I also talk a lot.”
Oct 26, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer reacts alongside guard Devin Booker (1) against the Dallas Mavericks in the home opener at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Suns are now 27-32, have lost nine of their last 11 games and are 3.5 games behind the Sacramento Kings for the No. 10 seed and the final play-in spot. Budenholzer may have crossed a line with the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, and, at this point in the season, it may not be salvageable.
WATCH: Devin Booker holds Suns teammates accountable after 124-116 loss to Pelicans
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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenoNBA, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
