Suns Owner Made Strong Statement on Devin Booker's Future in Phoenix

The Phoenix Suns bowed out of this year’s postseason without winning a game in the first round, prompting speculation about how the roster might change next season.

Devin Booker has been the team’s top superstar for many years now, leading some to believe they might be entering a drastic reboot or rebuild. Phoenix previously tried to team up league stars such as Chris Paul or Kevin Durant, and while they reached the Finals with CP3, they’ve yet to make any noise since.

Could that mean it’s time to move on from Booker? Following the crushing loss to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, Suns’ owner Mat Ishbia responded to the notion of a potential parting of ways with Booker.

More news:Lakers' Austin Reaves Hit With Strong Criticism After Loss to Rockets

“Devin Booker is our franchise player. I love Devin Booker. Devin Booker loves being here. Our coach loves Devin Booker. Our GM loves Devin Booker. Devin Booker’s gonna be here,” Ishbia told reporters, adding, “Devin Booker’s gonna lead us to a championship here in Phoenix.”

According to Ishbia, the plan is to “build the right team” for Booker, and he’ll get better, just like everyone involved in the Suns’ situation. He called Booker “great for the city” and “great for the community.”

Ishbia also claims the “national media just says stuff to say stuff,” and sometimes he’ll respond, but other times he won’t bother with it because it’s “just ridiculous.”

“I’ll ride into a fire with Devin Booker, and I’ll do it proudly … Devin Booker is not getting traded. Devin Booker is our franchise player,” he said in his strong remarks about the Suns’ superstar.

He also reiterated that Booker will win a championship with the Phoenix Suns, and he’s “excited” to be there when it happens.

Booker just wrapped up his 11th season with Phoenix and continues to contribute at an All-Star level.

This past season, the team had new talent to help Booker after trading away Durant. Among the bright spots were Booker’s new teammates, Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, who were key to the winning season they had and to securing a playoff spot through the play-in tournament.

They finished just ahead of Booker in scoring average during their four playoff games, with Brooks leading the way. However, the team still didn’t have enough to take down a team as powerful as the Thunder.

It still seems like much is missing to boost the Suns’ chances of winning that championship. It could simply be the roster they have now getting another season of games under their belts to show what they’re capable of, and younger players developing or emerging as better players.

The biggest issues the Suns need to address remain with the frontcourt and free agency. Mark Williams dealt with injuries, playing just 60 games this past season, so they could look to find a better option.

They’ll need to re-sign free agent guard Collin Gillespie, although that could come with a major cost. Other free agents apart from Gillespie and Williams include Koby Brea and Isaiah Livers.

They won’t have a 2026 NBA Draft pick until No. 47 in the second round, but they could potentially find a diamond-in-the-rough type player there. Otherwise, it remains to be seen how Ishbia and the Suns roster can truly get Booker to a championship in Phoenix as they face some of the other heavyweight contenders around the league.

More news:LeBron James Fires Back at Rockets' ‘Better Team' Comment After Game 5 Loss

For more about the NBA, head over to Newsweek Sports.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 12:19 PM.