The Phoenix Suns, despite boasting the dynamic duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, could not clinch success this past season. In response, the organization opted for a bold move by trading the veteran star to acquire young talent Jalen Green, signaling a shift towards a youth-focused strategy. As part of this transition, they gave Devin Booker a big contract extension, which fans loved. However, a former NBA Coach of the Year criticized the team’s new direction.
“You start giving out money, For what? What did we achieve? What did we do? You’re giving me this money cos I’m the best player on our team, and you think it’s gonna make me happy. It’s a sugar high. What about winning? This team, to me, has been mismanaged,” Sam Mitchell said, via SiriusXM NBA radio.
Sam Mitchell’s argument has ignited a fierce debate among fans, splitting opinions across the spectrum. Some supporters back his stance, claiming the renewal appears unjustified, especially after the team failed to clinch a spot in the 2025 NBA playoffs despite having a superstar like Kevin Durant on the roster.
On the flip side, many fans believe that delaying Booker’s renewal risks losing the team’s leading scorer, who posted an impressive 2024-25 season with averages of 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. This decision bears significant weight for the future competitiveness of a team that is already experiencing a decline.
Jalen Green makes surprising confession about Devin Booker setting a new tone in Phoenix
Despite having arrived relatively recently at the Phoenix Suns, Jalen Green already claimed to have spoken with Devin Booker. After that, he made a confession about how they feel heading into the 2025-26 season. “He’s (Booker) excited. He’s ready to do what we gotta do, he understands the situation we’re in right now. People don’t expect us to do anything. People don’t expect us to come out of the West at all,” he said, via Phoenix Suns’ X account.
Moreover, Jalen highlighted the similarities between the Suns’ modest expectations for the upcoming season and those of last year’s Houston Rockets. In doing so, he underscored his proven ability to transform a team’s fortunes, signaling his potential to deliver similar success in Phoenix. If Green and Booker develop a strong on-court chemistry, their combined scoring prowess could establish the Suns as formidable contenders in the league.