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US basketball player Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns speaks to the media during the NBA All-Star media day at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, on February 14, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns have played solid basketball this season. They sit seventh in the Western Conference standings after missing the playoffs a year ago. They have been one of the surprises in the Western Conference so far.
Phoenix doesn’t have the top-shelf talent that it did a year ago. Kevin Durant was the best player on the team, but they still didn’t play well. Bradley Beal was also on the roster, but he was constantly hurt. Then, the Suns made the decision to trade Durant in the offseason.
Since that decision, the Suns look like a happier team on the court. Devin Booker seems to agree with that assessment and seemingly took a veiled shot at KD.
GettyPhoenix Suns guard Devin Booker shoots the ball. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Suns Star Devin Booker Takes Shot at Kevin Durant
While doing a postgame interview, Booker seemed to take a veiled shot at Durant and how the team was put together a year ago.
“Winning is fun. Team chemistry is fun. We’ve just built a camaraderie throughout the year. We’ve gotten closer. It’s fun to be a part of, man.”
With those comments, it seems like Booker didn’t have a lot of fun playing on the team last year with Durant and Beal on the roster. Despite the injuries the team has dealt with, he still seems like he’s having a better time playing with this group of guys.
The Sus have a different identity with this year’s team, relying more on defense. Dillon Brooks has helped establish that, although he is facing some issues now. Booker is still the leader of the team and is the Suns’ best player, so he understands how the vibe has changed.
All of the Suns seem to have a better time this year, but they still have to figure out a way to make sure they qualify for the playoffs. If the season ended now, they would have to participate in the play-in.
GettyHouston Rockets forward Kevin Durant shoots the ball. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Kevin Durant is Better Off Not Being in Phoenix
Durant has played well with the Houston Rockets. It seems that both teams have gotten a win out of the trade that was made in the offseason. Without Durant, the Suns have the 10th-best defense in the NBA. They are able to lean on that while they continue to get the offense together.
Jalen Green is finally healthy and is starting to figure out where he belongs in the offense. He was hurt for most of the first half of the season, so he has to develop some chemistry with the rest of the team. The Suns are hoping he can help improve the efficiency of the offense.
Brooks will be out for at least a month, so the Suns need to be more offense-oriented until he gets back. Booker seems happy to have the roster that Phoenix has built for this season. Now, they just have to make the playoffs.