More HoopsHype Rumors
May 1, 2024 | 5:17 am EDT Update

Devin Booker wants to stay in Phoenix

There may come a day where Booker is convinced he can no longer win with the Suns and decides to pursue titles elsewhere. But that day isn’t here yet, according to the source within Booker’s camp. As a student of the game and its history, Booker understands the value of sticking with one franchise for his entire career, following in the footsteps of guys like his idol Kobe Bryant. So even after a disappointing first-round sweep, the source says Booker is steadfast in his desire to get over the hump in Phoenix, stating bluntly: “This is his city.”
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.

Knicks would would be willing to offer almost anything for Devin Booker

Adding a young superstar with four All-Star selections and one All-NBA selection (and possibly a second to follow soon) like Booker to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference makes sense from the Knicks’ perspective. He and Jalen Brunson would form an electrifying, high-scoring backcourt for one the NBA’s most pleasant surprises, and according to a source, New York would be willing to offer almost anything to make that pairing happen.
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.

Mann discussed guarding the Slovenian during a recent episode of Podcast P with Paul George, presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment. “Sh*t, it ain’t easy. I’ll tell you that,” Mann said. “I think it is more mental than anything with me because he’s going to make the tough shots. He’s going to take the tough shots and you see them go in, you think you playing good defense, you see them go in. It’s just tough. “The pump fake he going to get you a couple times in the series. He got P [Paul George] a couple times. I don’t know why he got P, after I told him to stay down on the move but he still jump. But yea, I think mentally it’s just taxing, but a lot of film is helping me out and the coaches for sure.”