The Phoenix Suns are turning the page, and all focus now lands on Devin Booker. After the failed superteam experiment with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, Phoenix is now building a younger, tougher roster. This new direction brings a major challenge: Booker must become a true No.1 option and lead the Suns back.
Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins believes this is the season that will define Booker’s standing among elite guards. “I’m looking at Devin Booker right now and I’m saying he’s on the clock,” Perkins said on ESPN. Drawing comparisons to rising superstars Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Perkins noted that past accolades mean little in today’s fast-changing NBA.
“When I say on the clock, it’s time for Devin Booker to show the world that he belongs. Belong in the company of an Anthony Edwards. Belong in the company of an SGA. Can he be a guy that could be that number one option of this Phoenix Suns franchise? I’m waiting to see it.” Perkins also pointed out that Booker already reached the NBA Finals in 2021 with Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, but frequent roster changes since then mean the franchise’s success now depends squarely on him.
New Roster, Bigger Responsibility
The Suns’ offseason overhaul only raises the stakes. In a major seven-team trade, they sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets and brought in Jalen Green. They also added defensive specialist Dillon Brooks and promising rookie Khaman Maluach to their younger roster. Meanwhile, Booker’s résumé keeps growing — he became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer and signed a $133 million extension. The new deal will keep him in Phoenix through the 2029-30 season.
Now, the real test is whether he can turn individual brilliance into collective success.
Booker Embraces Pressure and Leadership
Booker is fully aware of what lies ahead and is embracing the challenge of leading a revamped squad. At the Suns’ media day, he spoke about his mission, saying, “From being at the bottom and, you know, almost getting the job done, I have unfinished business here.”
He elaborated on his leadership role, adding, “I know how much it would mean to this city and this organization. So, you know, that’s my job as a leader. It’s my responsibility as a franchise player to communicate to everybody the importance of basketball in this town and how serious we take it.”
With the 2025-26 season marking the start of a youth-focused rebuild, the Suns are betting on Booker to set the tone. Leadership, accountability, and the ability to elevate those around him will be the key measures of success — and the NBA world will be watching to see if he can deliver.
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