On July 10, 2025, Devin Booker made NBA historical past by signing a two-year, $145 million max extension with the Phoenix Suns. This deal, the richest in annual wage in league historical past, solidifies Booker’s place because the face of the franchise and sends a transparent message concerning the Suns’ route for the remainder of the last decade.
Breaking Down the Deal
The settlement will maintain Booker in Phoenix by way of the tip of the 2029–30 NBA season. At a mean of $72.5 million per 12 months, this extension barely eclipses the file lately set by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose four-year, $285 million contract with Oklahoma Metropolis averaged simply over $71 million yearly.
In line with AZ Household, the Suns structured the contract to offer Booker both 35% of the 2028–29 cap or 105% of his earlier 12 months’s wage, whichever is larger. This ensures that the deal stays on the most degree attainable beneath the NBA’s collective bargaining settlement.
Why the Suns Did It
The extension alerts that Phoenix is all-in on constructing round Devin Booker. Whereas the staff’s current historical past has been a rollercoaster—from a Finals look in 2021 to lacking the playoffs in 2025—the entrance workplace clearly believes that Booker stays the cornerstone for any future competition.
With Kevin Durant gone to Houston and Bradley Beal’s future unsure, the Suns seem like handing the reins solely to Booker. Workforce sources say Booker was closely concerned within the number of new head coach Jordan Ott, indicating that his affect on staff choices now extends effectively past the court docket.
Is It Too A lot?
Critics argue that this sort of contract could be an overpay for a participant whose groups haven’t superior previous the second spherical since 2021. Booker is a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA choice, however some analysts level out that he lacks the MVP-caliber accolades that sometimes accompany such historic paydays.
But it’s onerous to argue towards rewarding loyalty. Booker has spent his complete profession in Phoenix, turn into the franchise’s all-time main scorer, and remained dedicated even because the roster underwent radical modifications. In an period the place stars typically change groups to chase championships, that degree of dedication is uncommon.
Monetary Implications
From a wage cap perspective, this extension ties up much more of Phoenix’s monetary flexibility. If Beal stays, the Suns might enter the luxurious tax with three gamers making over $50 million every. This leaves little room for signing depth or making vital mid-season trades until drastic measures are taken to shed wage.
Alternatively, having a famous person locked in could be a magnet for veterans chasing a hoop or younger gamers on the lookout for mentorship. The Suns might pivot towards a mannequin much like what Miami has performed with Jimmy Butler—construct round one central determine and adapt season-to-season based mostly on availability and worth contracts.
Rising Participant Valuations
Booker’s deal is the newest signal that the NBA’s monetary panorama is present process a fast transformation. As media rights income and worldwide growth drive up league earnings, participant salaries—particularly for top-tier stars—are climbing to unprecedented ranges.
This extension might be a trend-setter. Different elite gamers getting into their late 20s could now push for short-term, high-value offers as a substitute of long-term safety. The mannequin offers gamers flexibility whereas nonetheless securing generational wealth, and it supplies groups a tighter aggressive window with elite expertise.
The Legacy Issue
Booker is already a Phoenix icon. He’s the franchise’s all-time main scorer, holds the file for many 3-pointers made, and was the engine behind their 2021 Finals run. However the lack of current playoff success weighs on his legacy.
This contract might be his defining window. If the Suns fail to contend by 2030, Booker dangers being remembered as an amazing scorer who by no means translated his expertise into constant profitable. If they will construct a contender round him—by way of trades, draft picks, or a shock breakout star—his place in NBA historical past might rise dramatically.
What Comes Subsequent for the Suns
There are a number of methods Phoenix might strategy the subsequent 5 years:
Run It Again: Retain Booker and Beal, add veteran position gamers, and hope that Jordan Ott’s system produces playoff-caliber basketball.
Pivot to Youth: Use Booker as a mentor and reset the roster by way of the draft and good trades, specializing in constructing for 2027–30.
Go All-In Once more: Bundle future picks and younger belongings to amass a co-star for Booker, repeating the Durant-era “superteam” technique.
None of those paths are straightforward. The West is stacked, with Oklahoma Metropolis, Denver, and Minnesota all on the rise. The Suns should be strategic, not determined.
The League-Large Affect
This contract reverberates far past Phoenix. It marks a shift within the construction and expectations of famous person extensions. Groups should determine whether or not to comply with the Suns’ lead or persist with extra conservative long-term offers. Gamers, in the meantime, could now prioritize leverage and adaptability over whole years assured.
Furthermore, this might reignite debates about max contracts and cap inflation. Ought to the league revisit the 35% cap max if superstars proceed to signal offers approaching $75M per 12 months? If cap percentages don’t maintain tempo with market worth, stars could proceed to pursue shorter, extra aggressive offers.
Ultimate Ideas
Devin Booker’s new deal is a landmark second for each the participant and the franchise. It represents perception, threat, and ambition in equal measure. Whether or not it pays off will rely solely on what occurs between now and 2030—on the court docket, within the entrance workplace, and within the locker room.
Booker guess on Phoenix, and Phoenix guess on Booker. The subsequent 5 years will decide who gained the guess.
