150 million locks Booker, the Sun really wants to take a gamble this time

The free agent market in 2025 just kicked off, and a big news exploded the entire league: the Phoenix Suns are discussing a two-year contract renewal with a total value of nearly $150 million. This backcourt core wearing the No. 1 jersey has never changed his club since entering the league in 2015. Now it is once again regarded by the team as the pillar of the future, and negotiations for high-paying contract renewal are on the agenda.

This contract renewal is not just an ordinary retention operation, but also a deep bet on future bets. Once the signing is completed, Booker will be locked until 2029, and the Suns have completely expressed their attitude: to continue to build the team's core framework around Booker and completely block the possibility of other reconstruction routes.

Book's performance is indeed worthy of a maximum salary. In the past season, he has remained one of the most stable scorers in the league, averaging 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and his shooting percentage has reached 46.1%. At critical moments, stand up, play the leading role on the organizational side, and output on the scoring side, Booker's influence on both offense and defense cannot be underestimated.

What is more worth mentioning is that Booker is not that kind of "data brush". The ability to control rhythms, scoring explosions in key rounds, and increasingly skillful cooperation with teammates all make people feel his maturity and self-evolution in playing style. The existence of Durant and Bill did not weaken Booker's presence, but instead allowed him to make his value in a more efficient and comprehensive way. The reason why the renewal negotiations received such high attention is that Booker is not only the core of the team's tactical system, but also a city symbol in the hearts of Phoenix fans. From a teenager who entered the league in early 2015 to the main player who led the team to the finals in 2021, Booker almost dragged the sun out of the quagmire bit by bit. The team that once ranked at the bottom of the West and had a poor record has now become a strong team that cannot be underestimated every season. Booker's growth trajectory is almost a microcosm of the Sun's revival.

Sun's management did not hesitate for too long. They know very well that there are not many players like Booker on the market. If he is allowed to enter the free market, I am afraid that thirty teams will line up to grab people. More importantly, against the backdrop of Durant's old age and Bill's unstable form, Booker is the only core in this team that is both young, stable and able to support the storefront. There is also a signal behind this contract renewal. The Suns are not planning to give up the short-term competitive window, but are preparing to continue betting on the combination of "Book Durant" and strive for the championship again. Even though they have not been able to go far in the past two seasons, they still believe that as long as the core remains unchanged, one day they will usher in an explosion moment.

But the problem also follows. The Sun's salary structure is now extremely tight, and the three core contracts almost fill the salary cap and luxury tax line, and its flexibility has dropped significantly. Booker signed another big contract, although it was a boost to the team's morale and a promise to the fans, it was a limit bet on the future for the management.

This also means that the Suns may have to make some adjustments next, and even clear out some high-paying role players in exchange for a more adaptable puzzle. For example, in the front line and inside line, find stronger defensive players to match Booker's ball-holding ability; and for example, tapping potential young players from the base salary market and injecting fresh blood into the bench. The contract renewal has not been officially announced, but it has once again closely bound the city of Booker and Phoenix. In an era when superstars frequently flow, his "one city in ten years" is particularly precious. Fans love him not only because of their overscoring scores, but because he represents a sense of responsibility and belonging to the city, the team, and the fans.

It is worth mentioning that although this contract of Suns is a short-term renewal, it is not a "short-sighted operation". Through a 2-year maximum salary renewal, the Suns are able to retain future flexibility while ensuring Booker won't lose easily. Three years later, the Suns can once again offer Booker a super maximum salary, and Booker will further increase his value with his qualifications.

This move is considered a win-win situation by the industry: the players receive the respect and reward they deserve, while the team continues to control the rhythm, leaving enough room for long-term construction.

In the next three years, can Booker lead the team to the finals again and even win the golden O'Brien Cup? No one dares to guarantee it. But what is certain is that when the Suns usher in a critical battle again, the first person who stood up would still be the one wearing the No. 1 jersey.

He may not be the most dazzling superstar in the league, but he is the most dependable soul figure for this team and this city.

The Suns chose Booker, which is equivalent to choosing to continue dreaming, choosing not to admit defeat, and choosing the possibility of winning the championship again. Whether these promises can be fulfilled in the future can only be left to time, but at the moment, Booker is still standing here with his ambition and loyalty.

He didn't leave, nor would he leave easily.

This time, he and the sun will continue to write together.