Suns GM says Devin Booker has say in front office decisions
Dec 27, 2017, 3:57 PM | Updated: 5:54 pm
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives on Minnesota Timberwolves forward Taj Gibson in the second half during an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov 11, 2017, in Phoenix. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 118-110. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker turned 21 years old this season but he’s already becoming the face of the franchise as the team’s best player and one of the best young scorers in the NBA.
With that comes keeping Booker happy in Phoenix while the rebuild (and losing) continues, and Suns general manager Ryan McDonough revealed Wednesday he’s an important part of the team’s decision-making process.
When asked if Booker will have a say in the potential return of interim head coach Jay Triano, McDonough confirmed that and more on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Burns & Gambo.
“He’ll have a say for sure,” he said. “He’ll have a voice not only in that decision but in other key roster decisions as well, whether that be which free agents we go after, probably less so who we target in trades because that usually involves players going out on your end too, but which other players around the league we would like to acquire either via trade or free agency when their contract comes up.”
The answer is noteworthy given the organization’s decision to not interview any other candidates in a similar situation at the end of the 2015-16 season when interim head coach Earl Watson was brought back in a permanent role after receiving the strong backing of the players prior.
When it comes down to the big decisions, though, McDonough said that still comes down to the guys at the top.
“Ultimately we make those decisions, usually it comes down to what Robert and I decide with consulting with our group,” he said. “But he’ll certainly have a voice and we’ll make him a partner in our process.”
With that answer in mind, having Booker in a spot of influence shows the Suns’ belief in him being the future and wanting to keep him happy long-term. That’s a notable wrinkle, as Booker is eligible for a contract extension next summer.
“I always talk to Devin around the draft as well,” McDonough said. “He’s a young guy who follows the college game closely so around pre-draft time we bring in players to work out. He and a lot of our young players are present at some of those workouts so we like getting their takes, especially Devin’s take.”
Especially Devin’s take, indeed.
