The faces around the Phoenix Suns have changed, but the heartbeat of the franchise remains the same.
In a locker room filled with newcomers — from first-year coach Jordan Ott to offseason additions like Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Mark Williams, and rookie Khaman Maluach — one constant continues to steady the Suns: Devin Booker.
“I’m going to do what I can, and I’m always going to use my voice,” Booker told reporters on the Suns’ media day, Thursday, September 25 (PH time).
Now entering his 11th season, Booker has grown from a 19-year-old rookie trying to prove he belonged to the unquestioned leader of a team chasing relevance once again.
“The leadership aspect is going to be more important than ever this year — just realizing our roster, the age of our roster, and the experiences I’ve had and what I’ve seen,” he added.
Booker—who is four-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA Team selection, and Phoenix's all-time scoring leader—signed a two-year, $145 million will keep him in Phoenix through 2030 — a long-term investment in the star guard’s loyalty and drive.
[ALSO READ: Chet Holmgren, Devin Booker ink maximum contract extensions with Thunder, Suns—reports]
And yet, despite all the accolades, there’s still one box left unchecked: a championship.
“Although we didn’t get it done in ’21, I was able to see it go from the bottom almost to the top,” Booker shared during Phoenix’s last Finals run four years ago.
“It wasn’t easy, but just understanding that it’s an everyday grind — and it starts right now.”
Then came the words that drew knowing nods in the room: “I have unfinished business here,” Booker said.
"I have unfinished business here, I know how much [a championship] would mean to this city and this organization."@DevinBook on signing an extension with the Suns!
— NBA (@NBA) September 24, 2025
New Faces in the Valley
The Suns wasted no time reshaping their identity after last season’s disappointing 36-46 finish.
Phoenix dealt two-time champion and Finals MVP Kevin Durant to Houston in a massive seven-team trade that got them Green and Brooks.
[ALSO READ: Report: Kevin Durant headed to Houston Rockets in blockbuster trade]
In Green, Phoenix received an explosive guard who averaged 20.1 points over four seasons with the Rockets.
“I’m excited to play with Book. I think I’m going to learn a lot from him and I think we’re going to complement each other a lot, especially the system our guys are playing in. I’m very excited about it," Green said when asked on his partnership with Booker.
Jalen Green on playing with Devin Booker:
— NBA (@NBA) September 24, 2025
"I think we're going to compliment each other... I'm very excited about it."
Brooks, who is entering his 10th year in the league, is a defensive bulldog with an edge and brings grit along with a respectable 14 points per game and nearly 40% shooting from 3-point range.
Phoenix also drafted 7-foot-2 teenager Maluach 10th overall in this year’s NBA Draft, on top of acquiring Williams — another 7-footer — in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets.
Not the Odd Man Out
Furthermore, former champion coach Mike Budenholzer was sacked and replaced by Ott, on top of Phoenix buying out Bradley Beal’s contract, which paved the way for his signing with the LA Clippers.
[ALSO READ: Suns make it official with hiring of new head coach Jordan Ott: 'A dream come true']
The 40-year-old Ott arrived in Phoenix after years grinding through assistant jobs in Atlanta, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and most recently Cleveland, where the Cavaliers finished atop the Eastern Conference last season.
Now, he inherits a team in transition, but with a cornerstone most coaches dream of.
“First-year head coach, to have a superstar — a guy that’s proven in this league, a guy that’s done it at every single level: the NBA, the Olympics. I think whatever’s happened in the past has happened in the past.
“This is his team,” Ott said, referring to Booker.
"How lucky am I?"
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) September 24, 2025
🗣? Head Coach Jordan Ott on coaching a player of Devin Booker's caliber in his first year pic.twitter.com/iDMifkLV79
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.
