Devin Booker‘s new five-year, maximum-salary extension with the Suns will begin on July 1, and as the team considers its other offseason moves, the standout guard hopes to have some say in those decisions, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.
“It’s probably the summer I’ll be most involved in my career,” Booker said this week.
Assuming they hold the No. 2 spot in the NBA’s lottery standings, the Suns will have a top-six draft pick at their disposal. The club is also expected to have some cap room available, though Tyler Johnson‘s $19MM+ player option will cut into Phoenix’s cap flexibility, as will Kelly Oubre‘s cap hold.
Of course, it’s still not entirely clear who will be making the final call on personnel moves in Phoenix. Currently, interim co-GMs James Jones and Trevor Bukstein are running the show, but the Suns are conducting a search for a permanent head of basketball operations. Booker is counting on staying involved in the decision-making process even after that hire is made, as Rankin relays.
[RELATED: Kevin McHale, Jim Paxson Among Suns’ GM Candidates?]
“When I signed my deal, I think it was an understanding, through the franchise and myself, that moving forward, we both have the same goals at hand and that’s to get better,” Booker said. “It’s not a one-sided thing. It’s not whatever I view, whatever they view. I think it’s a collective agreement. Moving forward, throwing in any advice I can, stay in the loop and watch what’s going on and know what’s going on.”
Although he may have one eye on the Suns’ offseason, Booker has been at his best on the court as of late. Since the All-Star break, the 22-year-old has averaged an impressive 31.6 PPG, 6.8 APG, and 5.0 RPG with a .465/.331/.887 shooting line. He has cracked the 50-point mark in each of his last two games.
The making of another BRON BRON. We met get as well hire Tragic right now and trade for Ball and make the entire thing a circus
The owner had live goats put into the office of the GM in the past; and you’re worried that the franchise might become a circus? Already is, son.
Literally. A circus. Live goats. In an office. That pooped. Everywhere.
At least they will be asking someone who has dribbled a basketball what he thinks of other players. As f’d up as they are, that is actually progress. Sad.
James Jones won 2 rings in Miami and 1 in Cleveland holding Lebrons jock. I get you probably mean Sarver …. but what’s Booker REALLY gonna say/do?
Uh. James Jones dribbled a basketball.
Suns have no direction. Trading for Mikal, when you have Warren and Jackson made little sense. Signing Ariza made less, trading Ariza for Oubre made even less, and then trading for TJ… What are the qualifications to be a Suns GM?
Qualifications are; yes Mr. Sarver, right away Mr. Sarver, can I get you a cup of coffee Mr. Sarver?
If they were trading up they should have either had Philly take SGA or talk to CHA about trading for SGA. Instead of Mikal Bridges who can ball, but they already got a dozen wings on game night.