There were many takeaways from the Phoenix Suns after their 2025-26 media day, but the one constant that was there when they needed him most was Devin Booker. The 28-year-old in his prime superstar conducting himself with all of the poise you would come to expect from a man entering his 11th season with the same franchise.
Booker also got fans firmly onside with his proclamation that he had "unfinished business" in The Valley, which sounds like he has accepted how this coming season is going to go. Booker clearly wants to bring Phoenix its first NBA Championship, but he also realizes that it won't be this year when that happens.
Will Booker still be face of Suns when they contend again?
Adam Mares and Tim Legler took to their All NBA Podcast in the aftermath of the Suns' media day, and Mares brought up a pressing question that the fanbase does not want to hear. As Mares correctly puts it, Booker is in his prime now. But will he still be at the peak of his powers - and more importantly actually in Phoenix - by the time the roster around him is ready to try and win it all again?
Just as importantly, does Booker have what it takes to lead a growing team all the way back to contention? He's been in this spot before, and the timely addition of Chris Paul helped get that group all the way to the NBA Finals. But the last 18 months or so have been weird for Booker, having seen him go from the "I'll Do It" Team USA super role player, to deferring to Kevin Durant on the court.
To give Legler credit, he has always been a staunch defender of Booker. He both thinks that he's got years left in his prime yet, and is capable of routinely putting up 30 a night. So when he says the Western Conference isn't getting any easier and Booker any younger, then you know it is reason to panic.
Legler also believes if anybody can bring a team back to contention once again, it is Booker. Unfortunately for the player though, it is not just he who gets to decide that. Owner Mat Ishbia has shown he can be wildly impatient. If another opportunity to swing for a disgruntled star comes - and with the Suns now actually having some young assets - do you trust him not to do it?
Which is why this is all so concerning. Booker will be making monster money by the time he hits his 30s, and there is no guarantee that he will be playing for a championship by then. He will only become harder to move by that point, which could see both player and franchise stuck together if this rebuild doesn't work. Sobering thoughts indeed.