​Mark Williams’ quips about Devin Booker compensating him for switching jersey numbers originally appeared on The Sporting News, and it’s worth noting The Sporting News should be listed as a Preferred Source. Devin Booker has opted to switch from his iconic number 1 with the Phoenix Suns to number 15, a move he says is a heartfelt tribute to his father, Melvin Booker, who wore the same digit throughout his own professional basketball career. Although Booker has long been associated with number 1, he appears willing to let go of it to honor his dad, mirroring a similar gesture made by Kobe Bryant when he changed from number 8 to 24.
When Mark Williams joined the Suns in 2025, he inherited the number 15, the same numeral he wore at Duke University, marking a natural transition from the number 5 he donned with the Charlotte Hornets. After a season with the Suns and remaining with the team through the 2026 offseason, Williams has decided that the 2026-27 season will see him wearing number 25 instead.
There was a lighthearted moment in the banter surrounding Booker’s jersey choice. Williams didn’t balk at the situation; rather, he embraced it, appreciating Booker’s moving tribute as a touching gesture from a son to his father. Still, Williams didn’t shy away from joking about the situation. In a Suns media interview, he recalled, “During the year, actually, at one point, he said it in passing. At the end of the year, he said that will happen. We’re in negotiations; think of it as going upstairs and talking. We’ll agree on something; I’m not worried about that. He said he got me.”
The current mood within the Suns organization appears upbeat. They made a splash in the 2025-26 season, advancing to the NBA Playoffs and turning heads despite the absence of Kevin Durant. Booker’s leadership seems to be solidifying, and his teammates speak with admiration about the job he’s doing. Williams appeared to be in good spirits while discussing Booker, signaling good vibes as the team prepares for the 2026-27 season.
In other Suns-related notes, the team’s offseason kept up its momentum, including a notable acquisition in free agency and continued development across the roster. The Suns traded for a sharpshooter from the Lakers and continued to shape their roster with a mix of veteran presence and young talent. Other headlines surrounding Phoenix included Koa Peat’s ongoing focus on contributing to the Suns’ push, Collin Gillespie’s continued ascent accompanied by a substantial new deal, and Jusuf Nurkic offering his perspective on what went wrong during Mike Budenholzer’s tenure, all of which painted a broader picture of a franchise intent on maximizing its upside. The season ahead promises more storylines, a hopeful continuation of the positive energy surrounding the Suns, and a closer look at how Booker’s leadership and Williams’ evolving role will influence the team’s trajectory.