Devin Booker has looked like a man on a mission since the Phoenix Suns returned for media day and training camp ahead of the new season, going so far as to say he has "unfinished business" in The Valley. Fans taking that to mean he hasn't yet brought them a championship, although the wait is surely going to continue for several years yet.
As much as the vibes are high in Phoenix right now - and with guys such as rookie Khaman Maluach impressing the veterans on the roster - Booker is entering another rebuild at 28-years-old. Making all the money and being viewed as a franchise icon sure does help soothe that reality, but we all know he would rather contend every year.
Booker will never win if Suns keep changing head coach.
If there is one area the front office could do a better job of trying to ensure Booker can go on some more deep playoff runs, it is with changing the head coach less. Even better, finding the right coach who they can build around long-term, which is exactly what they have done this offseason in adding Jordan Ott.
But even that isn't straightforward, as Steve Nash was recently brought on as a senior advisor. Nash has a great relationship with Booker and his one and only top gig in the past was with the Brooklyn Nets, with Ott on his coaching staff. The reason that didn't work out? Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving wanted him gone. Phoenix sure would look like a good place to prove those guys wrong.
Devin Booker is entering his 11th season with the Suns.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) September 25, 2025
He has had:
- 134 teammates
- 8 head coaches
- 3 general managers
- 2 team governors
(via @PHNX_Suns)
Really the fact Booker has had a whopping eight head coaches in 11 seasons just isn't good enough. Everybody from the European Igor Kokoskov to Monty Williams being given the opportunity to make it work. You could argue that the 2021 group that is so beloved in The Valley made it to the finals in spite of coach Williams, as opposed to him being one of the reasons why.
His next stop with the Detroit Pistons was a disaster, and he hasn't been seen since. Even Tom Thibodeau was spotted in the practice facility, and he would have been an interesting choice if the timelines matched up. He might ride his star players and starters hard, but he also gets results up to a point.
So for all of the upheaval in Phoenix this offseason - including getting a new head coach - the Suns failed Booker in this area long before coach Ott was given the job. He needs somebody who will stick around longer than a couple of seasons, and who he can grow with together. Hopefully Ott can be that guy, or else Nash will get a go. Then Thibodeau. Then... well you see the problem here don't you?