A media outlet has publicly slammed Devin Booker's contract with the Phoenix Suns, calling it one of the worst in the NBA. The criticism centers on the deal's massive size and length, raising questions about whether Booker can justify the price tag.
Why is Devin Booker's contract being criticized?
The unnamed outlet argues that Booker's supermax extension, signed in 2024, locks the Suns into an enormous financial commitment. The deal is worth over $220 million across four years, making Booker one of the league's highest-paid players.
Critics point to Booker's playoff record as a key issue. Despite his individual brilliance, the Suns have only made one NBA Finals appearance during his tenure, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. Since then, they've failed to advance past the second round.
What are the specific complaints about the deal?
The outlet claims Booker's contract hamstrings the Suns' ability to build a competitive roster. With Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal all earning max or near-max salaries, Phoenix has little cap flexibility.
That trio alone costs the team roughly $130 million per season. Add in the luxury tax penalties, and the Suns face a massive payroll. The criticism suggests this top-heavy structure leaves the bench thin and limits trade options.
How does Devin Booker's performance factor in?
Booker averaged 27.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists last season. Those numbers are elite. But the outlet argues his value doesn't match his paycheck when compared to other superstars.
They note that Booker has never won an MVP award or made an All-NBA First Team. His defense is often described as average. For a player earning $50 million-plus per year, the outlet expects more two-way impact.
What does this mean for the Phoenix Suns?
The Suns are stuck with Booker's contract through the 2027-28 season. Trading him is nearly impossible given the salary. So Phoenix must build around him, Durant, and Beal.
That means relying on veteran minimum signings and draft picks to fill out the roster. The pressure is on head coach Mike Budenholzer to make this expensive core work. If it fails, the Suns could face a long rebuild.
Booker remains the face of the franchise. He's a four-time All-Star and the Suns' all-time leading scorer. But this criticism highlights the risk of paying one player so much when team success hasn't followed.
For now, Booker and the Suns will try to prove the doubters wrong. The 2025-26 season starts in October, and Phoenix needs a deep playoff run to silence the noise.