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Devin Booker was the franchise player before Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal were acquired and he remains the franchise player. He was the franchise player before Budenholzer and previous one-year coach Frank Vogel — Ishbia is on the hook for paying the departed coaches around $18 million combined next season, sources said — and Booker remains so as he finishes the first season of a four-year, $220 million extension. Booker is eligible to sign a two-year $149.8 million extension this summer, which Phoenix is expected to offer, sources said. In his first season under Budenholzer, Booker averaged a career-high 37.3 minutes, 25.6 points — his lowest since 2028 — and shot a career-low 33% from 3. As the season fell to pieces, Booker made a perceptible shift in speaking about the importance of his “voice.” It was multifaceted — and intentional, sources said. He and Budenholzer got into a dust-up during the season about Booker’s communication in team settings, such as in huddles and film sessions, sources said. Booker referencing it sent a message to the coach who was on his way out. And Booker, now 28 and 10 years into his career, is also subtly letting it be known he will have more to say going forward. -via ESPN / April 15, 2025
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