Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton were teammates at the Phoenix Suns for six years. The duo had become a powerhouse at the franchise and even led their team to the NBA Finals in 2021. Ultimately, Giannis (Antetokounmpo) and Co. halted their dream run as the Milwaukee Bucks won the championship in six games.
One year later, a complex contract extension negotiation between the Ayton camp and the Suns finally settled after Phoenix matched the Indiana Pacers’ offer for Ayton, which was for four years and $133 million. Subsequently, Ayton was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team trade deal in September 2023.
Suns Fans Caught on Mic, Devin Booker’s Sly Diss Towards Deandre Ayton
While the Bahamian didn’t leave the Suns on the best of terms, the trade might have caused tension in his friendship with Booker, who has been with Phoenix since he was drafted in the NBA in 2015.
On Friday night, the Suns and Lakers played their first preseason game of the year at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, CA. Two former teammates were up against each other after Ayton agreed to a two-year, $16.6 million deal with LA, thereby parting ways with the Portland Trailblazers during the offseason.
During the preseason game on Friday night, the Suns’ fans picked up on Booker’s diss comment directed towards Ayton after the latter missed a hook shot. The mic heard a loud voice saying, “Hell Nah!!” soon after the missed shot, and fans quickly identified that Booker shouted that.
— ❝к𝑒𝐥ｌⒾ𝕖❞ (@Valleyheat1968) October 4, 2025
Fans were quick to share their reactions to the video on social media. “Court mics picked up a loud ‘HELL NAH’ on that Ayton hook shot miss, and I recognized the voice,” commented one fan. “Ayton washed up,” commented another fan. “Devin Booker’s beef with DeAndre Ayton makes me so happy,” yet another fan commented.
Some other fans made hilarious comments about the incident. One commented, “He’s seen the bad post game up close for years. ” Another said, “Lmaoooo had me laughing so hard. Book is the best. Yet another fan said, “Sh*t was hilarious.”
Booker Gave His Honest Opinion On What Ayton Can Bring to the Lakers
Ahead of the preseason game, Booker was asked to reflect on what he thought his former teammate could bring to the Lakers’ playing style in the 2025-26 NBA season. Booker bluntly replied, “I guess we’ll just have to see.”
Devin Booker when asked what his former teammate, Deandre Ayton, cam bring to this year’s Lakers team: “I mean, I guess we’ll just have to see” pic.twitter.com/WgtwUnVCu0
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 3, 2025
While the incident made rounds on social media, neither player commented on it in their post-match interview. Ultimately, the Suns beat the Lakers in the preseason opener, 103-81. Phoenix will play its next preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets at Venetian Arena, while the LAL will play against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
