Vasilije Micic reflected on his brief stint in Phoenix and offered insight into Devin Booker’s role alongside Kevin Durant.
Speaking on the X&O’s Chat, Micic described Booker as “different” but also praised his leadership and team-first mindset.
“Booker is an outstanding guy, but different,” Micic said, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “He was a bit in the shadow, but not in a bad way, because he really respects KD so much.”
The Serbian guard, who joined Hapoel Tel Aviv this season after leaving the NBA, suggested Booker’s voice was muted at times due to Durant’s presence. He emphasized that the Suns’ all-time leading scorer had his own leadership qualities but often deferred out of respect.
“His own leadership, which is pretty solid,” Micic added. “He’s very much about the team, about involving all the players, couldn’t really come through because KD is way bigger than the whole story.”
Booker averaged 25.6 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds last season, ranking second on the team in scoring. Despite the numbers, Micic noted that Durant’s stature and influence shaped the team’s hierarchy.
Durant, who put up 26.6 points per game in 2024–25, was traded to the Houston Rockets before the draft. The Suns received Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and No. 10 overall pick Khaman Maluach in the blockbuster deal.
With Durant gone, Booker now stands as the unquestioned franchise cornerstone. The 28-year-old guard has been the face of the Suns since entering the league in 2015, climbing to the top of the franchise’s scoring list and earning three All-Star selections.
In playoff play, Booker has been even more prolific, averaging 28.0 points per game across 47 appearances. His 2023 postseason run, where he averaged 33.7 points on 58.5 percent shooting, remains one of the most efficient scoring stretches in modern history.
