Suns boss looks firmly at Booker s future: "We are building a team around him"

According to Nico Martinez, a contributor to US sports media F/W. After two years of failed super team experiments, the Suns are starting over – but they are not worried about losing their team star. According to Suns owner Ishbiya, there is no extra pressure to win just to make Booker happy, as he believes Booker is completely committed to the team’s long-term vision.

"I don't feel any pressure to win to make Devin happy," Suns owner Matt Ishbiya said on SiriusXM NBA radio. “Devin will be happy because we will work hard to win, we will do something to align with the vision and identity he agrees with. We don’t need any extra pressure to win; we want to win every day, we want to get better every day, but expectations have changed. When you have Kevin, Devin and Brad, people think it's a championship or a bankruptcy, and unfortunately we're bankrupt for two consecutive years. It didn't work. We have Booker and I don't worry about him at all, just that he is a Phoenix Suns basketball player. He is the best scorer in history, everyone knows him and loves him, and he is great in the community. Devin is part of our future and present and we will build around him and hopefully make fans proud, and that's where I'm most excited. ”

Ishbiya, who has coached since February 2023, finally talked about the current situation of the team after a humbling season for them to have a small rebuild. As Booker is now the last piece left in the failed Big Three experiment, the Suns are still committed to building their identity and the entire future of basketball around his skills, even if it takes time to get back into the competition. Earlier this month, they proved it with a lucrative two-year $154 million contract agreement.

The 28-year-old guard has played 673 games for the Suns (and 47 playoff games), averaging 24.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game, shooting percentage 46.4%. On February 3, 2025, he surpassed Walter Davis to become the Suns’ all-time scoring champion, and his achievements will now last forever. Throughout everything, Booker has always been loyal to the Suns and has never shown any sign of wanting to leave. His loyalty has never wavered and the team intends to reward this gesture by making him the center of everything they do. Booker is now part of the Suns’ identity, especially from one of the worst periods in their recent memory.

Over the past two seasons, the Suns have been struggling to keep pace with the Western Conference, and their season has ended in disappointment despite the addition of Kevin Durant and Bradley Bills. At least for now, the Suns are changing direction and giving up the super team The model, instead supporting depth and flexibility in multiple positions. Entering the 2025-26 season, the Suns are re-optimistic about their position in the West. With a brand new roster, the focus is now on aligning with Booker’s vision and building a sustainable culture of victory. Young players, draft picks and cultural works will be the secrets of Phoenix’s success and should help them return to the Western Conference.

While the Super Team model may be past, the Suns still have a foundation worth building – starting with Devin Booker. If Ishbiya keeps his promise, the Phoenix will focus on stability, culture and continuity as they enter a new era led by one of the league’s most respected stars.