Since the Phoenix Suns made Kevin Durant available at the deadline, there has been nonstop talk about his future with the organization. He vetoed the trade to the Warriors because he didn't want to be moved midseason, but the summer will be a different ballgame.
As much talk as there has been about KD's future, there hasn't been enough about Devin Booker's. He's in his 10th season in Phoenix, and at 28, he still has a lot of basketball left in him. While that might be comforting to some Suns fans, it could mean he may eventually want to join a winning organization, whether that be this summer or sometime after.
Last month after the trade deadline, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said Booker is "untouchable" and wants to stay in Phoenix for his entire career. However, the Suns shouldn't take that as a guarantee that the star won't change his mind.
The front office shouldn't be reluctant to consider a Booker trade, either. He'd give Phoenix a better return than Durant or Bradley Beal could. The Suns have put themselves in a terrible position with the highest payroll in the league, and nothing to show for it but disappointment. Tearing it down wouldn't be a bad idea for Phoenix, but that doesn't seem like something Mat Ishbia wants to do.
Keeping Devin Booker happy won't be easy for the Suns
The most straightforward way the Suns could keep Booker happy is to win, but unfortunately, that hasn't been the case. Phoenix is coming off a win over the Clippers, but is still three games back from the final Play-In Tournament spot. The Suns' upcoming schedule is daunting, with three of their next four games against top five teams in the West.
Booker signed a five-year supermax with Phoenix in 2022 that runs through the 2027-28 season. If the Suns trade Durant and Beal this summer, the weight of the organization will be on Booker's back. He's one of the best guards in the league, but he can't turn Phoenix into a true contender on his own.
The desire to contribute to a winning culture elsewhere could lure Booker away from Phoenix, as there would be several teams vying for his services. It doesn't look like the Suns will be able to offer him that, at least not for a while.
Watching Booker leave Arizona would sting, but there isn't one fan who should blame him if he ends up asking out.