PHOENIX: The Phoenix Suns superstar shooting guard Devin Booker is at a crossroad in his career. After making his first Finals appearance less than four years ago, Booker is on the most expensive roster in the NBA that missed the playoffs and has endless internal turmoil. The uncertainty of the franchise’s future is unknown, but ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins believes that Devin Booker should save himself to avoid becoming a “loser.”
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Apr 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) and guard Devin Booker (1) react on the bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Perkins on Booker’s time with Suns:
“This is gonna tell me a lot about Devin Booker. He’s just starting his prime. His prime has been activated. This team is not going nowhere. I don’t want to ever get to the point where I look at him and call him a loser, but if he comes to a place where he’s okay with being there and not leveling up to go to an organization where you actually can compete for a championship and you’re ready to just stay there for another rebuild, I got a problem with that.”
Dec 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins looks on during the fourth quarter between the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. in a semifinal of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Booker has had no indication that he wants to leave the Valley and has continuously confirmed he wants to play his entire career in Phoenix. However, after back-to-back disappointing seasons, the rumors began to build up and could manifest into the mind of the four-time All-Star to preserve his legacy. The 28-year-old shooting guard still has a decade-long playing career ahead of him and plenty of time to turn the franchise around.
The modern NBA superstar doesn’t abide by that mindset, with many switching teams at the first sign of a setback. Booker hasn’t followed those norms, enduring lottery purgatory for the first five years of his career, before finally breaking free and making the playoffs in 2021.
Nov 10, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; A general view of fans as they await Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) before the start of a game against the Sacramento Kings at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
Media members like Perkins will try to force a narrative that Booker needs to leave Phoenix to elevate his superstar status. The 10-year Suns guard hasn’t let other pave his path to the NBA and likely won’t change that philosophy a decade into his professional career.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
