Don’t worry about Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker’s hand

It was announced on Sunday evening that Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is likely going to have hand surgery causing him to be out indefinitely. This is nothing to worry about.

In 2017-18 Devin Booker missed some time because of a broken right hand – his shooting hand. It seems that he has either re-injured that hand, or that after a busy summer it is still irritating him and reached a point that surgery is the next option.

This is nothing to worry about.

Regardless of if this injury is one that he has had to deal with all offseason, it is something that crept up on both he and the Suns, or it happened playing a pickup game on Sunday morning, there is absolutely zero doubt that prior to signing his max extension (of 5-years and $158 million), the franchise did a full body scan of Booker, meticulously prying over every formerly injured nook and cranny, as well as every joint and muscle that could possibly become a problem for him in the future.

Yes, it is disconcerting that Booker might need surgery in general.

Yes, the timing is both curious and unfortunate since training camp is literally only days away (18 days from Monday the 10th).

But whether or not the Phoenix Suns’ medical staff was waiting for a particular timing of some sort, or the injury came on as a surprise, Booker’s body was well checked over and the franchise was not afraid of anything in regards to potential issues that would have made a max extension anymore of a risk that is possibly could be.

While the word “indefinitely” is a little worrisome, and plenty of star players have missed very large chunks of time unexpectedly due to injuries that nobody foresaw completely derailing their careers (three who played for the Phoenix Suns come to mind in Danny Manning, Anfernee Hardaway, and Grant Hill), those types of injuries are extremely hard to prevent and impossible to fully protect against.

Obviously I am not a part of the medical staff, and I wasn’t in on his physicals. But you you offer a player $158 million dollars without any general medical assurances of long-term health? And if for a second you say “yes,” ask yourself this question:

Would Robert Sarver?

If Devin Booker is out for a few weeks, or a few months, I expect that not only is every precaution being taken to make sure that he doesn’t return until there is zero risk of further injuring his hand, and that the team will be well aware of the potential for re-injury and keep his training regime in tune with the health and prosperity of his entire body.

Training camp is drawing near, which means the 2018-19 regular season is just over the horizon.

Devin Booker’s injury should not be anything to worry anyone. The franchise is finally on the rise, even if Booker misses a little time.