Mat Ishbia: Suns star Devin Booker is not getting traded

There’s been plenty of national chatter centered on whether Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns would benefit from moving on from one another.

Phoenix owner Mat Ishbia made sure to squash all of it in one fell swoop on Thursday.

Suns owner Mat Ishbia squashes any trade chatter out there regarding star Devin Booker:

“I’ll ride into a fire with Devin Booker and I’ll do it proudly. … Devin Booker’s not getting traded.” pic.twitter.com/q3ttWzH717

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) April 30, 2026

“Devin Booker’s our franchise player. I love Devin Booker. Devin Booker loves being here,” Ishbia told reporters during his end-of-season press conference. “Our coach loves Devin Booker, our GM loves Devin Booker. Devin Booker’s going to be here. Devin Booker’s going to lead us to a championship here in Phoenix. That’s what he’s going to do. We’re going to build the right team around him. He’s going to get better, just like I’m going to get better, just like everyone in our organization.

“I’ll ride into a fire with Devin Booker and I’ll do it proudly. He’s going to have my back. I’m going to have his back. Devin Booker’s our guy. … The national media just says stuff to say stuff sometimes. Sometimes I like to respond, sometimes I don’t. Devin Booker’s not getting traded.”

Since Phoenix was swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs, a place it wasn’t expected to sniff heading into the year, the Booker talk has taken off.

ESPN’s First Take host Stephen A. Smith was among the national pundits throwing out the idea, believing Booker has grown too comfortable in Phoenix and isn’t “starving” to win.

Smith and Kendrick Perkins then went a step further, linking Booker to his hometown team, the Detroit Pistons.

“I believe Devin Booker is a certified No. 2. A Robin to a Batman that a guy like Cade Cunningham that you brought up is missing,” Perkins said. “Cade Cunningham, Devin Booker in the backcourt, now you got smoke.”

Booker, who has four years and a combined $250 million left on his contract, is coming off a season (64 starts) where he averaged 26.1 points on 45.6% shooting and 33% from deep. He added 3.9 rebounds and six assists across 33.5 minutes per game on his way to his fifth All-Star nod.

His efforts played a part in Phoenix making a surprise run to the playoffs under first-year head coach Jordan Ott.

The guard’s play took a dip in the postseason, though, with Booker averaging 21.3 points on 46% shooting and 25% from 3-point range. He chipped in 4.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. He posted career playoff lows in points and 3-point percentage.

Ishbia, however, doesn’t seem concerned.

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