Devin Booker, Budenholzer Reportedly Had 'Dust-Up' Over Star's Communication to Suns

Before the Phoenix Suns fired head coach Mike Budenholzer on Monday, his disconnect with franchise player Devin Booker was on full display for the team.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that Budenholzer and Booker clashed over the way the star guard communicated with the team, causing Booker to assert his supremacy over the coach within the franchise.

"As the season fell to pieces, Booker made a perceptible shift in speaking about the importance of his 'voice.' It was multifaceted -- and intentional, sources said," Windhorst explained. "He and Budenholzer got into a dust-up during the season about Booker's communication in team settings, such as in huddles and film sessions, sources said."

Booker completed the first season of his four-year, $220 million extension. Upon Budenholzer's firing, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the 28-year-old "remains the foundation of everything they're doing in Phoenix." He's eligible for a two-year, $149.8 million extension this summer, and sources told Windhorst that the Suns are expected to offer him that deal.

Budenholzer coached Phoenix to a 36-46 record, finishing 11th in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020. He was fired one year into the five-year, $50 million contract he signed with the team before the season.

In his lone year under Budenholzer, Booker averaged career highs of 37.3 minutes and 7.1 assists per game, and his 75 games played were his most since the 2019-20 campaign. However, his average of 25.6 points was his lowest since 2020-21, and his 33.2 percent shooting from three-point range was the second-worst mark of his career.

As Phoenix's tumultuous season neared its end, Booker made it clear that he planned on being more of a leader going forward.

"[I need] to be a leader and use my voice more," Booker said last week. When asked whom in particular he needed to speak to more, he responded, "Everybody."