In the aftermath of a dramatic offseason, the Phoenix Suns have finally revealed the thinking behind two of their biggest recent decisions: the massive contract extension for Devin Booker and the blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. Both moves mark a major shift in strategy for a franchise that has experienced its fair share of highs and lows in recent years.
The 2025 NBA Summer League, while not a championship-winning event for the Suns, served as a showcase for the franchise’s new direction. And even though it was the Charlotte Hornets who walked away with the Summer League title, it was the Suns who arguably made the biggest impression by redefining their core.
One of the biggest developments was the franchise’s decision to commit to Devin Booker long-term. Booker, already a face of the franchise, was signed to a $145 million contract extension. This move was not just about rewarding past performance—it was a definitive statement that Phoenix is building its future around him. The organization sees Booker as the leader capable of guiding the team through the next chapter, and they’re doubling down on his value both on the court and in the locker room.
The other headline-grabbing development was the trade of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. While the move may have shocked fans initially, the writing had been on the wall. Durant’s time in Phoenix was tumultuous. Despite his undeniable talent and flashes of chemistry with Booker, the experiment didn’t yield the results the Suns had hoped for. The furthest the team advanced with Durant was the second round of the playoffs, and lingering chemistry issues—along with injury concerns—prevented them from reaching their full potential.
Durant’s final appearance in a Suns uniform ended unceremoniously, as he exited a game against the Rockets with an ankle injury. That moment served as a symbolic turning point. It was around that time, team executives say, that discussions about his future in Phoenix began to take a more serious tone.
In Las Vegas during the Summer League, Suns front office members opened up about the strategy behind the trade. According to a report from Spotrac, a team executive described their desire to strike a balance between rebuilding and remaining competitive. “When it became clear that was a direction we could do, we set a goal of not just going with a package of all young players and picks. We want to compete,” the executive explained.
That strategy ultimately led to the trade with Houston. In return for Durant, Phoenix received Jalen Green—a young, explosive guard with immense upside—defensive stalwart Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft (used to select Khaman Maluach), and five second-round picks. The deal was more than just a salary dump or a grab for draft assets—it was a carefully crafted combination of youth, experience, and potential.
Dillon Brooks brings veteran grit and defensive intensity. His reputation as a hard-nosed defender and competitor makes him a valuable addition to any team aspiring to make noise in the playoffs. Jalen Green, on the other hand, adds dynamic scoring and athleticism. He’s a player who can develop alongside Booker and potentially emerge as another cornerstone of the franchise.
The inclusion of Khaman Maluach, a promising big man, gives Phoenix a foundational piece to groom for the future. At just 18 years old, Maluach is still raw, but his potential was too great to ignore. His combination of size, agility, and shot-blocking makes him an intriguing long-term prospect.
The deal, while controversial at first glance, starts to make sense when examined through the lens of Phoenix’s broader goals. The Suns aren’t tanking—they’re retooling. Rather than going full rebuild, they are assembling a roster with more balance, depth, and flexibility. They’ve moved away from the “superteam” experiment that featured Booker, Durant, and Bradley Beal, recognizing that top-heavy rosters can be difficult to sustain and often lead to instability.
Durant’s tenure in Phoenix will likely be remembered as a mixed bag. While his performance on the court was rarely in question, the synergy just wasn’t there. Injuries, mismatched roles, and a lack of roster depth hampered the team’s progress. The much-hyped “Big 3” of Booker, Durant, and Beal never fully lived up to expectations. The Suns were supposed to be title contenders; instead, they fell short, and ultimately, the organization had to face hard truths.
Now, with Durant gone and Booker fully entrenched as the franchise centerpiece, the Suns are looking to build something more sustainable. The new approach reflects a growing sentiment around the league: depth and chemistry often matter more than star power alone.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia and team president Brian Gregory have clearly bought into this philosophy. Head coach Jordan Ott will now have the opportunity to mold a team that isn’t relying on three ball-dominant stars to carry the load. Instead, he’ll have more tools at his disposal, with players like Green, Brooks, and Maluach ready to contribute in a variety of ways.
Phoenix’s plan is to remain competitive while developing its next generation of stars. It’s a delicate balancing act, but one that could pay off if executed well. By committing to Booker, acquiring versatile talent, and replenishing their draft capital, the Suns are positioning themselves to contend in the short term while keeping an eye on the future.
It’s also worth noting that this reimagined Suns roster could be more appealing from a team culture standpoint. The locker room will now be centered around Booker’s leadership and players who are hungry to prove themselves. There’s no longer a looming question about whose team it is. It’s Devin Booker’s team, and everyone else will play a role in supporting that vision.
The Durant trade, viewed in isolation, might seem like a step back for a franchise that once aimed for a championship. But when seen as part of a broader strategic pivot, it becomes clear the Suns are not retreating—they’re recalibrating. And in today’s NBA, where flexibility and depth often dictate postseason success, Phoenix may be making a smart play.
In the months ahead, it will be up to Booker, Ott, and the revamped roster to validate the front office’s decisions. If Jalen Green flourishes, if Brooks helps anchor the defense, and if Maluach develops into a legitimate big man presence, this trade could be remembered not as the end of an era, but the beginning of something more resilient.
For now, the Suns are all smiles in Las Vegas—not because of a trophy, but because they believe they’ve found a clearer path forward. And in the ever-changing world of the NBA, that clarity might be the most valuable thing of all.
