5 offseason moves the Phoenix Suns have to make

Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns stands on the court with Mikal Bridges #25, Devin Booker #1 and Cameron Johnson #23 during the first half of Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Footprint Center on May 15, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1): Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Sign Devin Booker to max extension

The Phoenix Suns are incredibly disappointed in how this season ended, and that’s led to teams making mistakes in the past, but there is one thing that shouldn’t even be a consideration. The Suns need to sign Devin Booker to his max extension the second it becomes available. Did he have a bad Game 7? Yes. Was he playing hurt all postseason? Probably.

Booker is going to be eligible for the supermax if he makes the All-NBA team. That contract will pay him $47.1 million in 2024-25, $50.8 million in year two, $54.6 million in year three, and $58.4 million in the final year of the deal. Paying one player nearly $60 million in one season, close to half of the current salary cap, sounds insane. However, the salary cap keeps going up. If the NBA ever considers expansion, the salary cap will explode. The Suns are making money hand over fist, and Booker is the reason this team is going to be a contender for the next five years.

Booker is only going to be 31 years old at the end of the extension. Obviously, the big worry is injuries, but this most recent bout seems like a fluke. He returned as soon as he could, and the Suns just came out flat in a do-or-die game. Booker should have taken over the game, but he didn’t. It happens. He had some heroic performances last season, including two games where he had 40+ points in the NBA Finals against the Bucks. Booker has a track record, and he deserves this insane contract.

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