The deafening silence between Deandre Ayton and Monty Williams doesn’t bother Devin Booker way too much.
For the Phoenix Suns star, the absence of interaction from both sides can’t even be considered a distraction for the ball club moving ahead to the 2022-23 campaign.
“No,” Booker said when asked if the ongoing absence of communication between the two disturbs the team, via Duane Rankin of Arizona Republic. “Guys look good to me.”
The conflict between Ayton and Williams reached cryptic heights when the big man revealed that he hasn’t talked yet with his mentor since the franchise’s miserable defeat against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 7 of 2022 Western Conference Finals.
The two had an issue with each other, wherein Williams cited Ayton’s lack of effort in which he placed the center on a minute restriction on the eventual downfall. In the Suns’ meltdown during the first half of the one-sided clash, the two were seen having a verbal altercation.
In his response to the disclosure of Ayton, Williams detailed that he only wants nothing but space from his players to gain much needed rest in the offseason.
“We’ve been on top of each other for a long time,” said Booker.
“I didn’t talk to coach much at all this summer, either,” Booker added. “The times that I did, he stressed the fact that getting away and having that feeling of missing the game and missing your team. It’s a long season. We’re with each other every day. I think it’s fine to get away from each other.
“We’re about to spend the next seven, eight months right on top of each other every day. I mean, we see each other more than we see our families. I think it’s always good to get away, get quiet and remove yourself from this industry and lifestyle.”
The Suns will commence the upcoming season with a rematch against the Mavericks on Oct. 20.
