RealGM

There's been a lot of chatter about Devin Booker's absolutely monumental contract extension that'll make him the highest paid player in the NBA when it goes into effect. I, naturally, have my own feelings on it but would like to gauge the feelings of the gallery.

Does this move make sense? Does it hurt more than help? Is Ishbia insane?

Im confused about people complaining about the cost in terms about cap flexibility, aren't max deals based on a % of the cap? So since he's already on a max, how much more cap will he take up % wise once this kicks in compared to now?

starbosa10 wrote:Im confused about people complaining about the cost in terms about cap flexibility, aren't max deals based on a % of the cap? So since he's already on a max, how much more cap will he take up % wise once this kicks in compared to now?

They are tied to the team's cap. Here's the scaling as of today:

Years of Service:

0-6 years: Maximum of 25% of the salary cap.
7-9 years: Maximum of 30% of the salary cap.
10+ years: Maximum of 35% of the salary cap.

And I'm not complaining; I was just bringing forth the discussion as clearly it's a mixed bag and not a consensus opinion.

No! - If the Suns are in the Finals AND you're All-NBA 1st Team then maybe we can entertain the idea. But if your not even an All-Star, the Suns don't even make the playoffs, and we are WAY over the Salary Cap - then I question you for even thinking about such an extension. If Booker is serious about this then I now have questions on if he really cares about this team. How sorry are you for the state of the underachievement of this Franchise? Are you embarrassed for: Game 7 collapses? Being the highest salary team in NBA history and not even making the Play-in-Tournament? The lack of leadership on this team (when you are the "Leader")? I am embarrassed and I'm just a fan. Sorry, if you need more money so badly, then sell more Book1s. Don't handcuff this team any further.

You know what would be a true class, brilliant move - Don't just say I love being here I want to be a Sun for life and I will do whatever I can for the success of the Suns - show me with your actions. Sign for below market value - Sign for the team average.

If he did this he would end up recouping a lot of any lost salary with the boost to his PR (endorsements, shoes, etc.) and be a Legend/Icon for this State forever.

75M for someone who played 75 games this season. No playoffs, no ASG. 1M/game. Crazy.

Not winning anything with Booker as leader, just hoping the team is fun to watch.

SkyBill40 wrote:

starbosa10 wrote:Im confused about people complaining about the cost in terms about cap flexibility, aren't max deals based on a % of the cap? So since he's already on a max, how much more cap will he take up % wise once this kicks in compared to now?

They are tied to the team's cap. Here's the scaling as of today:

Years of Service:

0-6 years: Maximum of 25% of the salary cap.
7-9 years: Maximum of 30% of the salary cap.
10+ years: Maximum of 35% of the salary cap.

And I'm not complaining; I was just bringing forth the discussion as clearly it's a mixed bag and not a consensus opinion.

Thanks for clarifying! Wasn't referring to you specifically, more some of the more dramatic sky is falling people online so with the extension he'll be taking up 5% more of the overall cap then his current deal?

starbosa10 wrote:

SkyBill40 wrote:

starbosa10 wrote:Im confused about people complaining about the cost in terms about cap flexibility, aren't max deals based on a % of the cap? So since he's already on a max, how much more cap will he take up % wise once this kicks in compared to now?

They are tied to the team's cap. Here's the scaling as of today:

Years of Service:

0-6 years: Maximum of 25% of the salary cap.
7-9 years: Maximum of 30% of the salary cap.
10+ years: Maximum of 35% of the salary cap.

And I'm not complaining; I was just bringing forth the discussion as clearly it's a mixed bag and not a consensus opinion.

Thanks for clarifying! Wasn't referring to you specifically, more some of the more dramatic sky is falling people online so with the extension he'll be taking up 5% more of the overall cap then his current deal?

No; the current years of service rules will still be intact unless they are changed by that point. Still, one player occupying up to 35% of a whole team's cap space is ridiculous. And remember too that the team cap seems to increase annually. With the new media deals they landed, it's probably going to balloon up pretty soon.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44404893/sources-nba-salary-cap-increase-10-2025-26

Basketball is a team sport - The Suns will never win a championship with Booker if he thinks he should get 35% of the overall cap. The "Leader" of this team should not have such an individualistic mentality.

Dr Manute wrote:Basketball is a team sport - The Suns will never win a championship with Booker if he thinks he should get 35% of the overall cap. The "Leader" of this team should not have such an individualistic mentality.

Hard to say for sure what Booker actually thinks or expects from the team. Might he take less in the best interest of helping the team a la Tim Duncan? Does he expect, as the focal point, to be paid like it so he can get his "bag"? Or is he just taking what is being presented to him by an owner who clearly has an interest in having him stay?

I'd rather not speculate as to what he thinks, but I'd like to believe this is less about him and more about Ishbia.

SkyBill40 wrote:

Dr Manute wrote:Basketball is a team sport - The Suns will never win a championship with Booker if he thinks he should get 35% of the overall cap. The "Leader" of this team should not have such an individualistic mentality.

Hard to say for sure what Booker actually thinks or expects from the team. Might he take less in the best interest of helping the team a la Tim Duncan? Does he expect, as the focal point, to be paid like it so he can get his "bag"? Or is he just taking what is being presented to him by an owner who clearly has an interest in having him stay?

I'd rather not speculate as to what he thinks, but I'd like to believe this is less about him and more about Ishbia.

This is Phoenix, not Michigan - I hope Ishbia isn't afraid of Booker bolting - Booker will be getting paid $61 million in 2027 - realistically how many teams will have the cap space and the desire to sign him away from Phoenix in 2028. Ishbia must be smarter than paying Booker $75mil+ because of an unlikely scenario.

Dr Manute wrote:

SkyBill40 wrote:

Dr Manute wrote:Basketball is a team sport - The Suns will never win a championship with Booker if he thinks he should get 35% of the overall cap. The "Leader" of this team should not have such an individualistic mentality.

Hard to say for sure what Booker actually thinks or expects from the team. Might he take less in the best interest of helping the team a la Tim Duncan? Does he expect, as the focal point, to be paid like it so he can get his "bag"? Or is he just taking what is being presented to him by an owner who clearly has an interest in having him stay?

I'd rather not speculate as to what he thinks, but I'd like to believe this is less about him and more about Ishbia.

This is Phoenix, not Michigan - I hope Ishbia isn't afraid of Booker bolting - Booker will be getting paid $61 million in 2027 - realistically how many teams will have the cap space and the desire to sign him away from Phoenix in 2028. Ishbia must be smarter than paying Booker $75mil+ because of an unlikely scenario.

Hard to say, but the bottom line is that Booker will be under team control. If Ishbia wants, he can take calls on him; Ishbia can also ignore calls and keep his player.

When the Booker led Phoenix Suns win the NBA Championship in 2027, then I think Ishbia should happily pay Booker $75mil a year to reward our "Leader" and keep this championship team intact - until then, our players should keep working on limiting their TOs and improving their defense.

Ehhhhhhh mixed feelings about that.
He's our FP but didn't make the next step to become a true superstar in this league, like sga did.
It's sad but beggars can't be choosers.
Would hurt even more seeing him in a Lakers shirt, like Luka did.

kennydorglas wrote:Ehhhhhhh mixed feelings about that.
He's our FP but didn't make the next step to become a true superstar in this league, like sga did.
It's sad but beggars can't be choosers.
Would hurt even more seeing him in a Lakers shirt, like Luka did.

Nash requested to go to the Lakers and wore the purple&yellow - luckily he sucked there and we ended up getting some good picks back - so didn't hurt that much. I would be upset if Booker took off to LaLa Land, but I could get over it if it improved the overall success of the Suns.

People can correct me but I should note that Book has had his early extensions signed every time he was eligible. This was true under Sarver and it'll be true under Ishbia. He's absolutely earned his last two early max extensions and I was very pro being forward with getting him an extension early. This time around....it's a little different given where we are in our team trajectory. Book has 3 full seasons of guaranteed salary and while under the current CBA rules he is extension eligible (already), I do fail to see why we need to do it this offseason.

I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it or that I'm questioning whether he should continue to be the franchise guy moving forward but I don't think it's a no brainer like his previous extensions because of the 2nd apron implications and uncertainty around the team's projected competitive window.

I wouldn't be unhappy if he gets the extension, I just think....let's wait a season.

It's about return on investment on the court, his ceiling, and being hamstrung from entering a legitimate rebuild. The money could be spent in better places.

His contract is an indicator of how treadmill teams are made not championship ones. Unless we miraculously transport a younger CP3 from the multiverse - we know who he is and it's not even close to being a $70mil a year player.

Seriously, at most a No.2 on the roster sucking up the largest salary spot is sheer mindlessness.

kennydorglas wrote:Ehhhhhhh mixed feelings about that.
He's our FP but didn't make the next step to become a true superstar in this league, like sga did.
It's sad but beggars can't be choosers.
Would hurt even more seeing him in a Lakers shirt, like Luka did.

He has never shown the intangibles and tools SGA has. Becoming THAT caliber of player was never on the table of his career path.

I thought the NBA should have built something into the CBA where homegrown stars could get paid the extra super max amount but it only counted at the normal max for cap reasons.

I think it's good for the game to have star players stay with their franchises and I have no issue with players getting a ton of money but witb the way the CBA is structured these deals are hard on your cap. They should fix that.

I'm all for Devin finishing his career here.

Booker: below average defense, not an all-star, not in the playoffs. Disappears from the face of the earth in pivotal games. Blames the league for his poor play and not making the all-star team. Not even a pillar to the community. Does some token events here and there in pHx but disappears most of the time.

Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know this is insanity and stupidity on another level to even consider giving Booker that type of money.