Devin Booker’s $145 Million Extension: A Record-Breaking Deal That Could Haunt the Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker’s $145 Million Extension: A Record-Breaking Deal That Could Haunt the Phoenix Suns

On Wednesday, the Phoenix Suns made headlines when Devin Booker signed a two-year contract extension worth a staggering $145 million. The deal averages $72.5 million per season, making it the richest annual extension in NBA history, surpassing even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s $71.25 million supermax average. While the figure reflects Booker’s elite status within the franchise, it also raises serious concerns about Phoenix’s long-term strategy and financial future.

The extension ensures that Booker remains the face of the Suns into his mid-30s, but it comes at a time when the team already faces major cap space limitations and is stuck in a competitive limbo.

A Price Tag Higher Than Production?

Booker’s new deal instantly triggered reactions across the NBA world. ESPN analyst Kevin Pelton graded the extension as a failure, arguing that Booker isn’t producing at a level that justifies such a massive payout. In his assessment, Pelton placed Booker closer to a top-25 player than a top-10 talent, calling the extension a risky commitment.

“When this extension kicks in,” Pelton wrote, “it’s more likely that Booker will be a complementary piece rather than the franchise centerpiece the Suns are paying him to be.”

Pelton’s words hit a nerve because they reflect a growing sentiment among analysts: Booker is very good, but the Suns may have confused loyalty with logic.

Devin Booker: A Phoenix Icon, But at What Cost?

There’s no question that Devin Booker is beloved in Phoenix. Since joining the team in 2015 as the 13th overall pick, he’s grown into a multi-time All-Star and was a critical piece of the Suns’ 2021 run to the NBA Finals. He remained loyal during the team’s darkest years and became the emotional leader of the franchise.

In many ways, he embodies what every small-market team hopes for—a star who sticks around, builds a winning culture, and elevates the team to national relevance.

But the NBA is a business. And good business decisions often require emotional detachment. As much as fans admire Booker’s loyalty and impact, that doesn’t automatically make him worth $72.5 million per year—especially not at ages 32 and 33.

The Bradley Beal Parallel: A Cautionary Tale

The Suns don’t need to look far to see how bad contracts can strangle a franchise. Just ask them about Bradley Beal. Phoenix traded for Beal in 2023, absorbing the remainder of his bloated deal that still has several years and over $150 million left. Beal’s impact on the court has failed to justify his paycheck, and injuries have further clouded his future.

Phoenix now considers waiving and stretching Beal’s deal, a move that would lower his annual cap hit to $19.4 million—but drag it out over five painful years. This approach may offer short-term financial relief, but it creates long-term payroll headaches that limit roster flexibility.

While Booker remains a far better player than Beal at this stage, the potential for a similar outcome exists. As stars age, injuries mount, and performance inevitably declines. The Suns are betting that Booker will continue performing at a high level well into his 30s—a bet history suggests is unlikely to pay off.

No Draft Picks, No Cap Space, No Way Forward?

Mat Ishbia, who became Suns owner in 2023, has made bold and aggressive moves since taking over. He traded away critical draft assets and young talent to form a core of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker. On paper, it looked like a superteam capable of challenging for a title.

But reality hasn’t been so kind.

The Suns flamed out in back-to-back postseasons, and their lack of bench depth and injury concerns continue to haunt them. More importantly, the front office has no cap space, few trade assets, and no real draft capital to reshape the roster.

Trading Booker could’ve opened the door for a proper rebuild. He would command a king’s ransom—multiple first-round picks, young players, and future flexibility. But Ishbia never entertained that option. He remains fully committed to Booker as the franchise’s anchor.

Unfortunately, commitment alone doesn’t win championships.

Paying for Past Performance, Not Future Production

By the time the extension begins, Devin Booker will be well into his 30s—a point in most players’ careers when athleticism declines and durability becomes a concern. Guard play often depends on quickness, stamina, and mobility, all of which typically deteriorate with age.

The Suns are paying for what Booker has done, not necessarily what he will do.

Even now, Booker isn’t the best shooting guard in the NBA. That title arguably belongs to players like Luka Dončić (who plays a hybrid role), Anthony Edwards, or even Jalen Brunson. While Booker brings elite scoring and leadership, he doesn’t consistently dominate on both ends of the court or carry teams singlehandedly.

So why would Phoenix commit the highest annual salary in league history to a player who might already be past his prime?

Emotional Loyalty vs. Championship Logic

It’s hard to separate emotion from decision-making in sports, especially when a player like Booker becomes synonymous with the team’s identity. But the best franchises know when to walk away or restructure. Look at the Golden State Warriors—they’ve faced tough choices with Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. The San Antonio Spurs let stars walk when it made strategic sense. The Miami Heat rarely overpay unless they believe it leads directly to titles.

The Suns, on the other hand, seem stuck between timelines. They’ve locked in aging stars to enormous contracts, hoping to squeeze out one magical playoff run. But without young talent, draft picks, or financial flexibility, they lack a clear path to sustained success.

What the Future Holds for Booker and the Suns

Devin Booker has done everything asked of him—and more. He stayed loyal, improved every year, and gave Suns fans unforgettable moments. He deserves recognition, respect, and reward. But this extension may become the deal that burdens Phoenix for years to come.

If Booker declines—or suffers significant injuries—the Suns will hold two of the worst contracts in basketball with Beal and Booker. That scenario would leave them stuck in the dreaded middle of the NBA pack: not good enough to win, not bad enough to rebuild.

Phoenix fans can only hope that Booker continues to defy the odds, that Beal finds his rhythm, and that Mat Ishbia finally makes calculated decisions rooted in reality, not emotion.

Until then, the extension remains what it is: a massive gamble with high emotional reward—and even higher financial risk.