There have been rumors about the state of the Phoenix Suns locker room having tensions amid the 2024-25 NBA season. The Suns have struggled to be competitive in the Western Conference and have fallen to the 12th place with a 16-19 record. Additionally, the trade rumors regarding Bradley Beal have not helped silence the noise around them.
Devin Booker, however, has said nothing in the wake of the team’s news. This led former Suns star Charles Barkley to criticize his leadership skills for not holding his teammates accountable throughout their tumultuous season.
“I said to you guys last year, maybe Devin could be that guy,” Barkley said. “Devin’s a hell of a player. But I think he’s just too nice of a guy also. He doesn’t hold the other guys accountable. I think that’s why they want to get Jimmy Butler.”
“Cause Jimmy’s not gonna have none of this stuff going around here.”
Charles Barkley says Devin Booker doesn’t hold his teammates accountable
" I think he's just too nice of a guy also. He doesn't hold the other guys accountable. I think that's why they want to get Jimmy Butler."
(🎥 @AZSports )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 9, 2025
Talks about Phoenix’s locker room arose following the report about the decision to move Beal and Jusuf Nurkic from the starting lineup. NBA Insider Chris Haynes revealed on Sunday, following the Suns’ four-game losing streak.
“Now there’s also tension in that locker room,” Haynes said. “I’m told certain players are unsure of their roles and frustrated with how they’re being used and the coaching staff, they’re still trying to figure things out. So this situation, it will be something to monitor moving forward.”
Sources: In midst of 4-game losing streak and tension in locker room, Phoenix expected to make drastic change by removing Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic from starting lineup beginning Monday at Philadelphia. #haynesbriefs pic.twitter.com/utz0FNLppB
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 6, 2025
Additionally, Butler has been rumored to be a trade target by the Arizona team. This came after the Miami Heat star requested a trade from the organization. The Suns were named the top destination for the six-time All-Star.
2016 champion says Devin Booker isn’t getting along with All-Star teammate
2016 champion Richard Jefferson spoke about the Suns’ season on Wednesday’s episode of his podcast with Channing Frye, “Road Trippin’.” Throughout the team’s struggles, Jefferson mentioned that the two main stars of the team, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, aren’t getting along.
“At what time has K.D. been teaming up with his boys worked out the way he would like?” Jefferson asked. “Because before, he loved Devin Booker. There was a mutual respect. Now, they’re not getting along. Don’t really mess with Bradley Beal. Bradley Beal’s out. Now, they’re gonna bring in Jimmy Butler potentially because that’s what K.D. wants.”
Jefferson’s assertion about Booker’s relationship with Durant is unsubstantiated. The two eventually teamed together since they respected each other.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
