Phoenix Suns Rival Reportedly Keeping Eye on Devin Booker

There's no doubt that Devin Booker is already a franchise icon for the Phoenix Suns. 

This doesn't mean that the outside world won't have eyes set on the five-time All-Star, though - and for good reason. 

This potentially includes the Golden State Warriors, who are major fans of the 11-year veteran according to Tim Kawakami of the San Fransisco Standard.

“I think the Warriors like him too much, if you ask me. But they love him. Steve (Kerr) loves him. Booker loved playing for Steve…I know the Warriors would be first in line saying, ‘we got three first round picks we can give you.’"

Kawakami is alluding to Booker playing under Kerr's leadership during the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics. The 6'5" shooting guard was a regular fixture in Kerr's starting lineups over both runs (each ended in gold), with Booker playing an instrumental role in earning each medal.

The Suns (clearly) aren't even slightly interested in parting with their franchise player, and Booker has never indicated a desire to leave Phoenix in his own right. This makes the Warriors' possible interest futile for the near future and beyond - as far as personnel goes.

This does raise the stakes of the matchup between the Suns and Warriors this season to an even higher degree, however. The tensions between Phoenix and Golden State are already raising heading into the 82-game campaign, with Dillon Brooks starting the trend of trash talk that extended to rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. 

The presence of multi-time All-Star Draymond Green raises the tensions as well. Green famously received a suspension for striking Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic during a game in December 2023. 

Outside of the tensions rests the on-court implications. The Warriors are attempting to make the most of Stephen Curry's twilight years in the NBA, but appear to be stuck in neutral. The Suns, on the other hand, are climbing out of a challenging place that trades for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal placed them in.

Both teams appear destined to be representatives in the play-in tournament once again, so posturing in the standings will be key in each of the matchups between the two as well. 

While much is left to be decided over the next several months, it is clear that the Suns and Warriors are both in a similar situation - with one having an eye on Booker to solve their issues, while the other has an opportunity to continue building around the pillar.

The Suns and Warriors are playing one another on Oct. 24, Nov. 2, and December 28 this season, which is less than the four meetings that is customary for division opponents.