Day: March 14, 2025

While the 2025 NBA draft is considered significantly stronger than 2024 and is headlined by Cooper Flagg, the 2026 draft could be even stronger. Darryn Peterson, A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Nate Ament are all potential candidates to be selected first. Because of the depth in next year’s class, the NBA could again have a crowded field of teams extending their rebuilds.

“Right now there are nine teams tanking,” one league executive said. “And next year’s draft is going to have maybe more franchise players than this year’s draft. A year from now, you may still have nine teams tanking.”

The Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets will likely be amongst the worst teams in the NBA again next season, while the New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers could climb back up the standings next season with better health. The Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago Bulls are more unknowns at this point though all seem more motivated to compete.

Both the Phoenix Suns and Devin Booker are fully committed publicly and privately to continuing their partnership. With Booker in place, the Suns plan to “pivot and reload” around him in the offseason.

“Never happen,” Mat Ishbia said, interrupting the question about a Booker trade. “It’s silly. So here’s what I’ll tell you: I have Devin Booker in the prime. In order to win an NBA championship, you got to have a superstar. You got to have a great player.”

The Houston Rockets have repeatedly expressed interest in Booker, who would fit their timeline as a proven star still in his 20s. The Rockets own the Suns’ first round picks in 2027 and 2029.

When Booker was first drafted, the Suns averaged more than 60 losses during the first four seasons of his career. They then quickly became a title contender in 2021 and Booker is determined to reach those heights again with the Suns.

“I mean, it’s a rare breed,” Booker told ESPN. “I take pride in the community in Phoenix, the people that have supported me since I was 18 when things were ugly. And the people that are with us, we just fell short of accomplishing what we want. So I want to do it, and I want to do it here.

“That’s the responsibility of being a franchise player, and I wear that with honor. So it might not look the most pretty right now, but we got to get it done and I’m going to do it.”

Booker is eligible to decline his $62.8 million player option for 27-28 to sign a three-year, $212 million extension this offseason.

The Phoenix Suns could embark on a “pivot and reload” around Devin Booker this offseason, according to Mat Ishbia. The Suns have had a disappointing season and are expected to trade Kevin Durant and could also revisit their options on Bradley Beal. The Suns’ front office believes the team isn’t as far from contention as the current standings indicate.

As a source close to Ishbia said, “For better or worse, there’s no ‘trust the process’ to Mat Ishbia.”

“I’ll just say that we’re going to evaluate in the offseason,” Ishbia said. “We’re going to find a way to win, and it’s probably a lot easier winning with Kevin Durant than without him. But at the same time, yes, if we’re not good enough in this iteration of the Phoenix Suns, we’re going to find a way to be better next year.”

Ishbia also defended where the Suns are under his leadership.

“People like to say, ‘Oh, he’s too involved.’ What?” said Ishbia, who splits his time between Phoenix and Pontiac, Michigan, where the headquarters of his family’s United Wholesale Mortgage are located. “Honestly, you think I watched film on the players we’re drafting? They say, ‘We like Ryan Dunn.’ I say, ‘OK, how do we get him?’ I don’t watch film, I don’t interview the player. It’s just silly what people talk about.”

Ishbia considers it his obligation as an owner to “give the best resources, give the support, make sure that we make it a destination in Phoenix, create a great fan experience.”