After serving as a Phoenix Suns’ front office leader from 2017-25, current NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations James Jones has a unique view on the franchise star than most in the league office.
He made his respect for guard Devin Booker’s perspective evident in an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio on Thursday. That’s despite fining the Suns star $35,000 for making critical comments about the officiating in a Game 2 loss against the Thunder.
Jones said he understood where the tension of postseason basketball might have played a role in Booker’s postgame press conference.
“I don’t want the [Devin Booker comments toward officiating] to take away from a great game… but I get it, this is the playoffs”
James Jones, Executive VP, Head of Basketball Operations, reacts to Booker’s comments after GM 2 t.co/U91Jb62Hxo@TermineRadio | @JumpShot8 pic.twitter.com/aCdmuraZKZ
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) April 24, 2026
“I don’t want the comments to take away from a great game, great competition and things that happened on the floor,” Jones said. “But I get it, this is the playoffs. It’s emotional, and ultimately, players have their point of view and their perspectives, and they’re going to say what they need to say.”
Jones spoke highly of Booker’s character before stating his belief that the guard’s desire to win will be reflected in Game 3 Saturday.
“Devin, evidently, has always been an honest guy who tells it like it is, and he wears his emotions on his sleeve cause he’s passionate about it … for Devin, we know he wants to compete and more than anything, he’s just looking to bounce back for Game 3,” Jones said.
Booker questioned the integrity of the NBA, while Phoenix owner Mat Ishbia suggested bias in the officiating.
The league’s official statement after fining Booker and rescinding the Suns guard’s technical foul from Game 2 on Thursday read: “Following an investigation including multiple interviews and video review, the league found no basis to any claim of bias or misconduct by game officials.”
“Even though it’s not what we want to hear at the league office…it’s not like it falls on deaf ears”
NBA’s VP of Basketball Operations @MalikRose discusses Devin Booker’s postgame comments following the Suns’ Game 2 loss to the Thunder
FULL SHOW HERE: t.co/XvyIdd1opR pic.twitter.com/VYB0Mbuloj
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) April 24, 2026
NBA vice president of basketball operations Malik Rose admitted that a player of Booker’s caliber making such critical comments adds more gravity to the situation. The former player and executive added that Booker’s comments were heard and taken seriously.
“Reputation does play a factor, so when somebody like a Devin Booker does say those things, even though it’s not what we want to hear at the league office, we’ll adjudicate it properly,” Rose said. “But it’s not like it falls on deaf ears.”
Rose also complimented Booker by saying he “has carried himself at a high standard for his entire 11-year career” before claiming that the case was now closed.
“I’ve been on the road so I wasn’t in the office this week, but I’m pretty sure his complaint was heard and both teams are aware and all that stuff,” Rose said. “It was handled.”
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