Report: Devin Booker Was ‘Shocked’ When Mike Budenholzer Implored Him To Be Less Vocal

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer implored Devin Booker to be less vocal. 

Booker was “shocked” by Budenholzer’s request. 

Sources: Weeks ago Suns coach Mike Budenholzer called a meeting with Devin Booker imploring he tone it down vocally, leaving the star shocked. Inside that meeting which provides context to Booker’s postgame remarks on communicating. #haynesbriefs

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— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 28, 2025

The Suns are only 27-31 on the season. They are in 11th place in the Western Conference standings. 

Phoenix hired Budenholzer after Frank Vogel was fired following one season. The Minnesota Timberwolves swept the Suns in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. 

One of the best scorers in the NBA, Booker is averaging 26.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.8 assists this season while shooting 45.5% from the field, 34.4% from beyond the arc and 89.6% from the free-throw line. 

This could be the final season of the Booker-Kevin Durant era. NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN recently reported that the Suns are expected to trade Durant this offseason. 

Durant is making $51.2 million this season. He’ll make $54.7 million next season in the final year of his contract. 

The San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat will pursue a Durant trade this offseason, an NBA source told Hoops Wire.

Durant is a four-time scoring champion, a two-time champion, a two-time Finals MVP and a one-time regular-season MVP. The future Hall of Famer has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Suns.

The Warriors had a deal to acquire Durant at this year’s NBA trade deadline, but KD blocked it because he didn’t want to get traded this season. 

“I just didn’t wanna get traded midway through the season,” Durant told NBA reporter Malika Andrews of ESPN. “It was nothing against my time with the Warriors. Or I heard it was because I don’t like Draymond (Green). At the end of the day, I just didn’t wanna move and I wanted to see it through with my team in Phoenix and see what we can do through the rest of the season. So I’m glad I’m still there.”