Expectations for Devin Booker in Suns’ 2025-26 season?

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00:00Welcome everyone to a deep dive into Devin Booker's pivotal new chapter with the Phoenix

00:05Suns. Devin Booker is now entering his 11th season in the NBA. Does that make you feel a

00:11bit nostalgic? Booker has positioned himself as a contender for the title of the greatest player

00:15in Phoenix Suns history. Despite the franchise facing some pivotal decisions, there has been no

00:20indication this offseason that he is overwhelmed by the surrounding distractions, this is likely

00:25due to his familiarity with such circumstances. Given the high standards he set for himself early

00:30in his career, the past two seasons have not met his expectations. He has consistently worked to

00:36enhance his game, aiming to establish himself as a top 10 player in the league and fostering

00:41championship aspirations for the Suns each year. Now, he finds himself starting anew without

00:47teammates Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, and he must demonstrate that he can rise to the challenge

00:52once more. What can we anticipate from Phoenix's leader in the 2025-26 season?

00:59We reached out to our hosts and Suns analysts for their insights. Be sure to tune in to Arizona

01:04Sports 98.7 and the app as the Suns kick off their season at 7 p.m. MST on Wednesday night

01:11against the Sacramento Kings. What are your expectations for Devin this season? What does

01:16the future hold for Devin Booker? Kellen Olsen, a reporter for the Suns and co-host of the Empire of

01:22Suns podcast, as well as Arizona Sports at Night, elaborates on this question. He believes that

01:28the current season will significantly influence the trajectory of Booker's career. There is no

01:33indication that the Suns need to convince Booker of their vision or long-term plans, as he has

01:38consistently expressed loyalty and comfort with the Phoenix organization. However, the drive to win

01:43ultimately takes precedence over everything else. Olsen suggests that Booker's competitive nature

01:50will push him to prioritize winning, even if he remains with the team longer than necessary,

01:55similar to Damian Lillard's situation in Portland. If the culture in Phoenix is evident and the younger

02:01players show promise, indicating a potential playoff team by 2027 or 2028, that would be a

02:07positive sign. Conversely, if the season does not meet expectations and is deemed a failure,

02:12the Suns may have no choice but to make further changes around Booker. This raises questions about the

02:18direction the team will take moving forward. The Suns are set to make a decision regarding Devin

02:23Booker, similar to the one they made for Kevin Durant. For Booker, the focus is on returning to

02:30his peak performance, which is undeniably all NBA caliber. This means achieving that level not just

02:36because other star players are sidelined due to injuries. The questions now are whether he can rise to

02:42that challenge, maintain his defensive intensity, and adopt a playmaking style reminiscent of Steve Nash to

02:47elevate his teammates' performance. Additionally, he needs to find a way to collaborate effectively

02:52with Jalen Green. In the past, I wouldn't have even considered these questions, but now I feel it's

02:57necessary to address them. While I still have confidence that he can accomplish these goals,

03:02there is a concern that my unwavering belief may eventually wane. John Gambadoro, co-host of Burns and

03:09Gambo, believes that Booker will thrive without the presence of Durant and Bradley Beal,

03:14and he also points out that the Suns are moving on from what he describes as one of the least

03:19effective coaches in their history, Mike Budenholzer. He anticipates that the Suns will perform better

03:25and secure more victories than they did last season, attributing this improvement to the concept

03:29of addition by subtraction. The team is becoming younger, more athletic, and longer. While they may

03:36miss the scoring abilities of Durant and Beal, Gambadoro emphasizes that the team's success is not

03:42solely dependent on those contributions. The Suns struggled significantly on the defensive end,

03:47showed a lack of effort when faced with challenges, and were led by a coach whose performance was far

03:51from satisfactory. I anticipate that this team will demonstrate resilience, competing fiercely for

03:57possessions, loose balls, and rebounds, while also stepping up to defend and maintaining their effort

04:03even when faced with adversity. This renewed approach will likely enhance Booker's performance.

04:09Over the past two years, it was clear that he faced considerable difficulties.

04:14However, with a balanced mix of experienced players and younger talent, along with a return

04:19to a more enjoyable team dynamic, he is expected to feel revitalized. Dan Bickley, co-host of Bickley

04:26and Murata, notes that many skeptics believe Booker has lost his competitive edge, suggesting that his

04:32drive has diminished due to lucrative contract extensions and a partnership with Nike.

04:37I choose to disagree with this perspective. I believe that Booker will reclaim a significant

04:41part of his reputation in the upcoming season and will rank among the top three scorers in the NBA

04:47for the 2025-26 season. Kevin Zimmerman, co-host of the Empire of the Suns podcast and digital content

04:54manager, points out that, both intentionally and unintentionally, Booker has positioned himself in a way

05:00that he has positioned himself as a follower of Kobe Bryant, which has significantly influenced his

05:06reputation, both positively and negatively. Known for being a relentless scorer, he consistently

05:13delivered strong performances throughout the challenging years of the 2010s. For the fans in

05:18Phoenix, he symbolizes loyalty in a professional sports environment where unsuccessful talent acquisitions

05:23have become a frequent occurrence. However, this loyalty, both from him and the fans, will face

05:29challenges in the coming years. Booker has maintained a demeanor that contrasts with Kobe's. He is a subtle

05:35yet effective player who shows patience with his teammates. For the first time since establishing

05:39himself as a star, he has the opportunity to lead without the influence of veteran players. On the court,

05:45he will once again, similar to his performance during the 2019-20 bubble season, recognize when it is his

05:51moment to take charge of a game. With Durant and Beal no longer in the picture, his role becomes much

05:57more defined. I anticipate that he will reclaim his status as the top player. Now, it is time for him

06:04to adopt another approach that is not typical of Kobe, selecting the moments when he should assert

06:09himself. As the primary scorer and playmaker for this young team, Booker is expected to step up

06:15significantly. Last season, he led the NBA in hockey assists, showcasing his ability to facilitate plays.

06:22Dave Burns, co-host of Burns & Gambo, believes that Booker's statistics will likely remain consistent

06:28with previous seasons. To an observer, it may appear that he is having a typical season. However,

06:34there could be an increase in his points per game due to a rise in shot attempts. It's also plausible that

06:41he will see a boost in free throw attempts and achieve a career high in assists per game.

06:46The most attention, however, will be on his dedication to defense. Not too long ago, he was

06:52known for his defensive efforts, whether under Monty Williams or during his time with the Olympic team.

06:57That defensive capability is still present, and if he fully commits to the coaching of Jordan Ott,

07:01it should resurface, as the system requires it. Additionally, I will be monitoring whether he

07:08experiences his usual soft tissue injury during the late December to early January period, which has

07:14become a common issue for him. An injury this season could severely impact the already limited chances

07:21this team has. Regarding his future, I believe he will remain with the team through both good and bad

07:26times, as he has consistently demonstrated loyalty. While a disastrous season could potentially alter that

07:34perspective, I remain skeptical. Mitch Vareldzis, the host of Here Come the Suns and co-host of

07:40Arizona Sports at Night, anticipates that Booker will emerge as the team's top scorer, likely averaging

07:47around 28 points per game with approximately 20 shot attempts each night. This scoring level aligns with

07:54his performance during the Suns' peak years earlier in the decade. With no need to share the spotlight

07:59with Durant and Beal, Booker should have the opportunity to reclaim his role as the focal point

08:04of the Suns. If he fails to return to that pre-Big 3 performance level, it would signify a decline,

08:10raising concerns about the significant extension he will be receiving in a few years. Luke Lipinski,

08:16co-host of Wolf & Luke, believes that Booker will be remembered as one of the greatest players

08:20in history. When he eventually retires, Devin Booker will be recognized as the greatest player

08:26in Phoenix Suns' history, solidifying his status as the face of the franchise year after year.

08:33However, this season marks a significant shift for him. For the first time in five years,

08:38he will not be sharing the court with a guaranteed Hall of Famer like Chris Paul or Kevin Durant.

08:43In addition to his skills as a player, Booker has now stepped into the role of the clear leader of

08:48the organization. He is fully embracing this responsibility which will play a crucial role

08:52in shaping the future of the franchise. The new additions to the team, of which there are many,

08:57have come in with the understanding that Booker is the central figure. The media narrative will

09:02inevitably link the Suns' successes and failures to him. This is a comfortable position for Booker,

09:07as he is no longer a 20-year-old rookie trying to establish himself in the league,

09:12as he was during the last major overhaul of the team. He is confident in his identity,

09:17aware of his abilities, has experienced the NBA Finals, and has earned an Olympic gold medal,

09:23all while continuing to improve. The Phoenix Suns are currently constructing their team around

09:28Devin Booker, and it seems that most fans are supportive of this direction. Vince Morota,

09:33co-host of Bickley Morota, points out that it is quite rare to find a national NBA analyst who

09:38believes that Devin Booker will finish his career in Phoenix. Similarly, it is just as uncommon to

09:43encounter someone in the Valley who thinks he might leave in the future. This upcoming 11th season is

09:49particularly significant for Booker, he is expected to have the chance to excel as a versatile scorer

09:54once again, potentially competing for the league's scoring title. However, the emphasis this season will

10:01be on leadership. Throughout his career, Booker has demonstrated that he is capable of being an all-NBA

10:07player, but for the first time since the 2019-20 COVID season, it is clear that this is his team.

10:14This year is crucial for establishing a foundation of leadership, ensuring that his skills are well

10:19developed when the Suns aim to be contenders again, which is likely to be in two to three years.

10:24So, what are your final thoughts on Devin Booker's legacy and future as this new era begins?

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