‘He’s our centerpiece’: Suns GM Brian Gregory reinforces Devin Booker’s importance to the club
· Yahoo Sports
PHOENIX — Phoenix Suns general manager Brian Gregory reinforced Mat Ishbia’s message: Devin Booker remains the central figure in the franchise’s future.
Jun 10, 2025; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns general manager Brian Gregory during an introductory press conference at the Verizon 5g Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Speaking in the aftermath of Phoenix’s first-round sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Gregory doubled down on Ishbia’s public praise of Booker’s season. He pushed back on a growing narrative that questions the All-Star guard’s long-term fit.
“I think there’s so many things that [Booker] does on the court that isn’t evaluated, or seen, or maybe even the impact hasn’t been in the forefront,” he said during the club’s end-of-season presser Thursday.
The timing comes as the club’s abrupt postseason exit intensified discussions among fans and analysts, pointing to inconsistency from Booker. Long viewed as the franchise cornerstone, the guard has faced backlash for his performances in the four-game series and is often compared to other teams’ cornerstones and how they perform in crunch time.
However, the organization isn’t letting a four-game series determine how it views its star guard.
The comments help stabilize perception, as Booker’s regular season was still strong enough to earn him an All-Star nod — as Gregory mentioned — which indicates he continues to compete at a high level. The Suns’ general manager also acknowledged how Booker is selfless when it comes to making plays, not just racking up points but setting up opportunities for teammates to get their shots.
“When these other guys have career years, [Booker] has a lot to do with it.”
Mar 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts against the Denver Nuggets in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
A general manager’s backing, so publicly and right after the owner does the same, carries significant weight in how the organization views its club. Around the league, silence or even ambiguity from front offices after playoff losses can signal potential change. Gregory’s comments offer clarity and a message to both the locker room and the marketplace that Booker isn’t on the table and will remain a major part of the franchise.
By aligning with Ishbia’s stance, Gregory reinforced that the organization has Booker’s back and aims to quiet speculation before it continues to shape the offseason narrative.
Mar 3, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images
“[Booker]’s our centerpiece.”
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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