Devin Booker’s new contract with the Phoenix Suns is a milestone in NBA history in financial terms. This two-season extension worth $145 million ultimately represents the highest annual salary the league has ever paid to an athlete. But the deal also means the star is now committed to the franchise until 2030. Journalist Brian Windhorst questions whether it was a good decision for the shooting guard.
Devin is on the side of the franchise in all the decisions they make. But the truth is that the team should pay for the failures of the trades for
Kevin Durant
e
Bradley Beal
in the next few years. So, given that, you ask me if I think he was right to commit to Phoenix at the peak of his career? That’s quite questionable,” reflected the analyst from
ESPN
.
All recent decisions of the
Suns
, initially, point to the reconstruction of the roster around Booker. It is clear that the team’s ambitions will be much more modest than those that led to the fiasco last season. And as a result, many analysts bet that the team won’t even make the playoffs. Windhorst, however, admits that it’s a financial offer hard to refuse.
You can question Devin’s decision, but you don’t argue with money. If someone offers you $145 million, no matter what the proposal is, the most likely answer is ‘yes.’ That’s why he accepted and you can’t judge him. Moreover, as a declared fan of
Kobe Bryant
“he likes the idea of playing for just one team throughout the entire season,” said the experienced journalist.
The new contract of
Devin Booker
It guarantees him more money and security at the Suns. But that’s not all: it also brings power. After all, commitment happens in both directions. The forward-guard has established himself as a voice within the franchise. And, by the way, the strength of his voice is only going to grow. Windhorst believes that the star’s active participation was the first sign that the historic extension was just a matter of time.
Phoenix decided to offer this contract to Devin before the actual proposal. As soon as it started the
offseason
, they wanted to ensure that their star would be there for the long term. And, in the same way, Devin also decided to accept the offer a long time ago. I know this because he has been involved in all the team’s decisions in recent months,” said the journalist from
ESPN
.
Of course, a player cannot make decisions for an organization. But Windhorst found out that Booker was (at least) heard in the two recent crucial decisions of the Suns. “Devin participated in the interviews with
Jordan Ott
, who “won” the selection to become the new coach of the team. And at the same time, he was consulted before the deal for Durant’s exchange,” he revealed.
The value of Booker within the Suns goes far beyond what numbers and contract length can convey. He has played all ten of his seasons and nearly 700 games in the league with the team’s jersey. Moreover, he led the team to one of its appearances in the NBA Finals. And he’s still only 28 years old. For the franchise owner, Matt Ishbia, he is more than just a player. He has become a symbol, to summarize.
“Devin is the embodiment of this franchise, as he represents our best in terms of community and future. His achievements on the court have no precedents in the team’s history and he is always striving for excellence. Meanwhile, his character and leadership set the standards for our internal culture. Finally, his connection with our fans is a unique phenomenon,” praised the magnate.
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