Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker addresses media before China Games
Devin Booker held a news conference in Macao, China, leading up to the Phoenix Suns’ preseason matchups against the Brooklyn Nets.
Provided by the Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker was surprised it took this long for Russell Westbrook to land with an NBA team, but he’s glad to see the nine-time All-Star joined the Sacramento Kings even though the Phoenix Suns are opening their regular season against them Oct. 22.
“I think it’s better for the league,” Booker said after Suns practice, Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the team’s practice facility. “I have a lot of respect for Russ. I’m happy he’s found a spot. It just happens to be the team we’re playing first this year.”
The Kings added Westbrook, the 2016-17 NBA MVP, on Wednesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. The move comes a week before the Kings face the Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center.
“I was.”
Devin Booker on being surprised it took so long for Russell Westbrook to land with an NBA team.
“It’s better for the league. I have a lot of respect for Russ.”
Suns open regular season vs. Sacramento.
“I’m definitely happy for him and his family. He deserves it.”… pic.twitter.com/Rs6pADSIAn
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 15, 2025
“I’m definitely happy for him and his family,” Booker continued. “He deserves it for the amount of work he’s put into this league.”
Westbrook has played for five different teams since the 2019-20 season after starting his career with Oklahoma City and spending 11 seasons with the Thunder.
He played for the Denver Nuggets last season, averaging 13.3 points and 6.1 assists in 75 games.
Westbrook joins a Sacramento team featuring Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan under coach Doug Christie.
The Kings reached the play-in tournament as the No. 9 seed last season with a 40-42 record, but were eliminated by No. 10-seed Dallas.
The Suns went 36-46 and missed the playoffs last season with a Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Booker.
Phoenix fired Mike Budenholzer after one season, hired Jordan Ott to mark its fourth head coach in four seasons, traded Durant to Houston and bought out Beal, who now is with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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