“Phoenix enters next season not only as a luxury tax team for a fourth straight year but a projected $25 million over the second apron,” wrote ESPN analyst Bobby Marks. Last season made it obvious that the team was certainly not getting its money’s worth. Despite spending over $214.371 million on salaries, aka the highest amount out of all NBA teams for that tournament, the team ranked 11th on the Western Conference Points chart by the end of the 2024-25 NBA season. Therefore, going into the 2024-25 season, the Suns needed to improve their roster while also ensuring they did not spend too much on player salaries. Well, one of those things had been abandoned quite quickly.

According to NBA reporter Chris B. Haynes, the Phoenix Suns and star player Devin Booker are in talks on a contract extension. Booker is reportedly eligible for a two-year, $150 million max extension. The player has a good chance of getting it since, after trading off Kevin Durant, he is the player around whom the team needs to build. If that wasn’t enough, ESPN’s Shams Charania has now confirmed that free agent guard Tyus Jones has agreed to a 1-year, $7 million deal with the Orlando Magic. Jones had previously been with the Phoenix Suns under a 1-year, $3.003 million contract. Now, the team has lost him because they couldn’t provide him with a contract that matched the Magic’s offer, or was a little above it.

The Phoenix Suns are currently set to spend $208.22 million on salaries. The number will increase once more deals are finalized. Despite that, the team is already $12.275 million over the 2nd apron limit, thereby opening them up to severe penalties. The need of the hour is to save.

On one side, the Suns are making savings by not even giving small raises to free agents during contract negotiations. On the other hand, they are about to give their star player a contract that would make him the highest-paid player of the 2025-26 season. Even Stephen Curry boasts a veteran extension that pays him $62.587 million. Needless to say, not many were impressed and were willing to highlight their surprise to everyone.

NBA Fans highlight surprise over Devin Booker’s Upcoming Contract Extension: “Holy loyalty overpay”

Take this social media user, for example: “Holy loyalty overpay”. Well, even if Devin Booker is eligible for a two-year, $150 million max extension, there is no guarantee that he will receive that much amount only. The Suns can negotiate, given their dire situation, or Booker himself can choose to take a pay cut. NBA fans might remember how, last year, Jalen Brunson was eligible to sign on to a five-year, $269.1 million extension by the 2025 off-season. Instead, he signed a contract for a four-year, $156.5 million extension, sacrificing over $113 million in pay. Though no one expects him to, Booker can only pull off a Brunson.

One individual wrote, “Uh, $75 million a year??? Did you have a typo?” Not really. At least, not from the looks of it. Devin Booker is among those rare NBA players who have remained with just one team throughout their career. The 4x NBA All-Star still has a good decade-long tenure in the NBA remaining. Even then, his loyalty to the Phoenix Suns, whom he has been since he was drafted back in 2015, is commendable. Especially since the team has not made it past the Conference Semi-Finals since 2021, and did not even qualify for the playoffs in the recent NBA season.

One social media user wrote, “he really must love his off the court life in PHX, i respect it”. Yes, well, if you are not winning championships on the court, or being able to even put up a memorable win record with your teammates, then you must be making up for it when off the court. From living in a $220 million lavish mansion to partying on yachts, the NBA star is not afraid of going big when living a luxurious lifestyle. A 2-year, $150 million contract would ensure Booker continues maintaining his lifestyle.

Yet another individual wrote, “That is utterly absurd. Having that and then Bradley beals ridiculous contract”. Of course, the Bradley Beal situation is something the Phoenix Suns have been trying to get out of, but can’t. The player hasn’t been able to play at the level that was expected from him after his contract awarded him $46.74 million for the 2023-24 season, and $50.2 million for the 2024-25 season. With 3 years remaining on the contract, the Suns want to get rid of him, but the ‘no-trade’ clause prevents them from doing so. According to rumors, Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia is “literally strongly contemplating” sitting Beal down for the rest of the upcoming season. The team can’t do something by themselves, but they can make the environment for Beal uncomfortable enough to force him to leave by himself. Until then, he will continue eating into the team’s money.

One social media user wrote, “Overpay omg”. Devin Booker signing a 2-year, $150 million extension could place the Phoenix Suns under heavy scrutiny. After all, the money that could have been used to recruit players who could improve the Suns’ roster is instead going to one solo star. It will be especially hard to live down doing this act if the Phoenix Suns do not qualify for the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row.

Overall, the majority of reactions saw people united in being surprised or dismissing the potential high-paying contract. It could come Devin Booker’s way in the coming days. Whether the Suns’ star agrees to that massive bag or pulls a Jalen Brunson and takes a pay cut is something that remains to be seen. But do you agree with fans here?