The Suns Are Fading And Devin Booker Shouldn't Go Down With Them.

Written by Brandon Pulmano

Founder | Sideline Society Media

At this stage of his career, Devin Booker could use a change of scenery. Approaching 30 years old, he finds himself on a Phoenix team that just got swept by the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The first and only time he reached the Finals was back in 2021 five years ago with a completely different roster, one led by Chris Paul.

Now, half a decade later, Booker is the one carrying the load on a far less talented squad. The supporting cast around him has deteriotated. The front office has yet to surround him with the kind of talent needed to seriously compete in the West. At some point, loyalty to a franchise has to be weighed against the reality of what that franchise can actually build.

With the Western Conference only getting more competitive featuring powerhouses like Oklahoma City, Minnesota, and Denver the window isn't getting any wider in Phoenix. Then you have an up and coming San Antonio squad looking to make their mark in the west. The Suns have shown no clear path back to contention to be honest. Booker is too good to spend his prime years in the first round.

A fresh start could do wonders for him. He has never truly had the chance to play a complementary role alongside another elite star. His scoring ability, shot creation, and clutch gene make him exactly the kind of player a contender would love to plug in as a number two option.

Three teams that could make sense are the Golden State Warriors, the Detroit Pistons, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Warriors could pair him with a revamped core looking to chase one more championship window. The Pistons, one of the league's most exciting young teams, could use a veteran scorer to ease the pressure of Cade. In Minnesota, sliding in alongside Anthony Edwards could form one of the most dynamic backcourts in the entire league.

Booker has given Phoenix everything he has.

But sometimes the best move for a player and his legacy is knowing when it's time for a new chapter.