With Kevin Durant out of the equation for the Phoenix Suns, will Devin Booker step into a larger role?
Heading into the first game since Kevin Durant's departure from the Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker will enter another season testing his leadership role with the team. The seven-team trade sending Durant to the Houston Rockets is recorded as the largest trade in NBA history. Suns received Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, a first-round 10th pick and five second round picks.
Booker is going into his 11th season with Phoenix and in July of 2025, signed a two-year, $145 million contract extension. This signing keeps him with Phoenix through the 2029-2030 season. While having multiple team records and tons of accolades, the question of Booker being the man to get the Suns over the hump is what everyone is asking around Phoenix.
With the indefinite return of newly acquired Sun, Green, Booker will be needed to start the season off strong. Green is out for the 2025 season opener against the Sacramento Kings. Suffering a hamstring injury in training camp, and just did not get better during the Suns preseason trip in China, Green will be re-evaluated towards the end of October. His return is not certain.
Grayson Allen will assume the starting position during Green's absence. This moves the sharpshooter from being a key player off the bench to a role in the starting five, hoping to space out the floor for Booker. Being the perimeter shooter Allen is, makes the starting five much different without Jalen Greens high flying, athletic talent on the court. Putting more pressure on Booker as well as being a key playmaker, but also able to penetrate and kick the ball out to Allen on the perimeter, might be the help the Suns didn't know they needed.
The injury of Green also allows this Phoenix team, that has a deep bench, to have more of a fluid rotation and give other guards opportunities in Green's absence. Collin Gillespie is a good guard to to keep an eye on for minutes coming off the bench.
The Suns' starting lineup is set to be:
- Booker, Point Guard
- Allen, Shooting Guard
- Brooks, Small Forward
- Ryan Dunn, Power Forward
- Mark Williams, Center
We could also see first-round draft pick Khaman Maluach, from Duke University, coming in and possibly earning the starting center position, depending on the trajectory of play.
With less star power but a deep bench and an ideal mix of veteran and youth on the Suns, they are hoping for an MVP year out of Devin Booker and potentially a deep run later in the year.