Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns reportedly are progressing toward finalizing a five-year, $158-million max contract extension, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Arizona Republic‘s Scott Bordow.
Drafted 13th overall in the 2015 Draft, Booker is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal. Here’s more from Bordow on the negotiations between the Suns and Booker:
A source close to the situation described the meeting as “productive” and that the parameters of a maximum contract were discussed. The source said there is “mutual interest from both sides in working to finalize a deal.”
Any deal can’t be signed until July 6, the conclusion of the free agent moratorium.
If the deal is consummated, Booker, 21, will become the highest-paid player in Suns history.
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There had been speculation that Phoenix might wait a year to offer Booker an extension in order to have more cap space for the 2019 free agency period. But $38 million in salaries will come off the books when the contracts of Trevor Ariza, Tyson Chandler and Jared Dudley expire following the 2018-19 season, and the Suns will be anywhere from $15 million to $25 million under the cap even with a Booker extension deal getting done this summer.
Booker expressed his willingness to sign a deal back in October, when he told azcentral sports that, “I’ve been treated right from the day I was drafted, even when I was a rookie and didn’t play much. The city of Phoenix took me in with open arms and made me a part of their family. I’ve learned the history and traditions of the team. I know how much the city cares about the franchise and that means a lot to me, playing somewhere where people actually care about the franchise.
“I love it here, I bought a house here and I intend to be here for a long time.”
The 21-year-old sharpshooter quickly developed as one of the NBA’s best young stars, averaging 24.9 points last season, which was best for top 10 in the league. He won the JBL Three-Point Contest during NBA All-Star 2018 and also became the third youngest player in NBA history to reach 4,000 points, trailing only LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
The Suns have been busy in the offseason, selecting Deandre Ayton No. 1 overall in the 2018 Draft and trading for No. 10 pick Mikal Bridges. Phoenix also agreed to terms with forward Trevor Ariza on the first day of free agency and waived point guard Tyler Ulis one day prior.
The Ulis release reportedly caught Booker off guard, leaving him upset with the front office. The two Kentucky Wildcats were great friends and built a bond in college.
Booker isn’t upset enough to be going anywhere else as he’s expected to be locked up with the franchise until 2023-24 once the deal is complete.
