Early Friday morning, new controversy emerged surrounding the Phoenix Suns. A report suggested that head coach Mike Budenholzer had a direct message for Devin Booker—one that the Suns star reportedly didn’t take well. According to the report, Budenholzer asked the shooting guard to scale back his vocal presence on the court.
The revelation came as a shock to Booker, who is known as one of the league’s most outspoken players—not just in trash talk, but in team huddles, discussions with coaches during timeouts, and play-calling. The message was seemingly delivered before Thursday’s game, and Booker’s body language indicated he was making an effort to comply with his coach’s request.
Following the report, Budenholzer faced questions about the claim, which he firmly denied.
“His communication is awesome,” Budenholzer said. “There are conversations that Devin and I have all the time, and I’m good with those conversations. We don’t always agree on everything. I think he actually appreciates it.”
Booker has long emphasized the importance of communication, a point he has reiterated throughout the season. However, the report appeared to leave him frustrated. In response, he posted a cryptic message after the Suns suffered their third consecutive loss.
Budenholzer Backs Booker Despite Suns’ Struggles
Although Phoenix has star players like Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant, the team ultimately belongs to Booker, who has been the franchise cornerstone since being drafted in 2015. However, he has endured significant coaching turnover, with Budenholzer becoming his third head coach in as many seasons, following Monty Williams and Frank Vogel.
Budenholzer’s hiring was initially seen as a smart move—pairing an offensive-minded coach with a dynamic scorer and playmaker like Booker. Yet, the past few weeks have been challenging. The Suns are 1-4 since the All-Star break and face the toughest remaining schedule in the league.
On top of their struggles, the idea of telling a franchise player to “tone it down vocally” has raised eyebrows. Phoenix is currently one of the league’s worst defensive teams, ranking third-worst in defensive rating, while their offensive efficiency remains similar to last season. With no major improvements on either end, the rationale behind such a request is questionable.
Regardless, Budenholzer has made it clear that he supports Booker and his leadership. Whether that support fully aligns with reality remains open for debate.
