PHOENIX — To the surprise of many, former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook signed a deal to join the Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker was actually quite relieved.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The 17-year veteran agreed to a deal with the Kings Wednesday afternoon after a long offseason of uncertainty. The Suns open the season against Sacramento at home on Oct. 22, and Booker reacted to the signing.
- “I was,” Booker said on being surprised it took until a week for Westbrook to find a home. “I think it’s better for the league. I have a lot of respect for Russ. I’m happy he’s found a spot. It just happens to be the team we’re playing first this year.
- “I’m definitely happy for him and his family. He deserves it for the amount of work he’s put into this league.”
Westbrook joins an interesting Sacramento squad riddled with talented veterans like Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. Many would argue, though, that in an ultra-competitive Western Conference, both the Kings and Suns have a similar ceiling, despite Sacramento appearing more talented on paper.
The two will get their first taste of each other when they take the court in the Mortgage Matchup Center on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. PT.
Devin Booker Ranked 16th on BR NBA Top 100
Oct 3, 2025; Palm Desert, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots past Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) at Acrisure Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Phoenix houses two of the NBA’s Top 100 players, according to Bleacher Report’s preseason NBA Top 100 — veteran guard Devin Booker and his backcourt mate, the newly acquired Jalen Green.
The guard duo projects to be one of the most dynamic scoring backcourts in the NBA, and Bleacher Report agrees.
Phoenix’s lead man comes in as the 16th-ranked player on the list, sitting in between Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams at 15 and Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler at 17.
Bleacher Report’s Analysis:
Here’s what Zach Buckley said about the 11-year veteran’s ranking:
“Messiness with the Suns overall hasn’t really dimmed Booker’s star yet. He’s been remarkably consistent throughout the organization’s many transformations, albeit with some bigger fluctuations in his three-point splash rate than his reputation as a net-shredder might suggest.
Oct 3, 2025; Palm Desert, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots past Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) during the second half at Acrisure Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
“Hopefully, this latest roster-reshuffling isn’t the one that dooms Booker. He’ll get all the shots and touches he cares to handle without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, but Booker’s responsibility list will be burdensome, and the defensive attention he receives could be overwhelming.
