Kofi Inkoom
The Phoenix Suns are facing a pivotal offseason in 2024, with numerous uncertainties looming, especially regarding key players like Devin Booker.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith stirred the pot some few days ago by suggesting Booker’s desire to play for New York, as he disclosed on First Take:
Devin Booker to Knicks ? pic.twitter.com/Z61eCgd2re
— NBArepublic.com (@nba_republic) April 29, 2024
“I don’t know if it will ever happen. Devin Booker wants to be in New York. That’s what I’m being told. Now, he might deny it. I haven’t spoken to him. I’m just telling you: the scuttlebutt in the NBA circles is that the brother wants to be in New York. So, if you’re Phoenix, you got at least two people, probably three, who are all getting paid about $150 million combined, don’t want to be there.”
However, PHNX Sports’ Gerald Bourguet countered these claims, citing a source from Booker’s camp who refuted Smith’s assertions:
“A source from Devin Booker’s camp who’s intimately familiar with the situation told PHNX Sports that these rumors are unequivocally false.”
Bourguet further acknowledged the Knicks’ historical interest in Booker due to his previous connections:
“According to that source, the Knicks have been interested in Booker dating back to Leon Rose’s instatement as team president back in 2020. Rose, a former CAA player agent prior to being hired by New York, once served as Booker’s representation, and other Knicks personnel with connections to the 27-year-old Suns star recently put out feelers about his potential interest in coming to New York.”
Despite the Knicks’ interest, Bourguet emphasized that Booker’s loyalty lies with the Suns:
“However, the Knicks’ interest in Devin Booker is one-sided, and the source was adamant about squashing this latest, unfounded rumor. Booker has remained loyal to the Suns franchise through some of its darkest days and has talked about bringing the super-team to him in Phoenix. Year 1 of his first super-team didn’t go according to plan, but Booker has succeeded in attracting established superstars like Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal to join him on the Suns.”