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By Connor Moreno
Cronkite News

PALM DESERT, Calif. — As Devin Booker wrapped up his routine of feeling out the game ball before the Phoenix Suns tipped off last Sunday’s preseason game, Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell jokingly tried to steal the ball in front of referee Kevin Cutler to stop Booker from getting comfortable.

After exchanging a few words and laughs, the two guards embraced with a dap-up and a hug and lined up on their respective sides of the jump ball circle to open the 2024 NBA preseason – marking the start of the 10th season for the friendly foes.

From getting each other in trouble for breaking curfew at the NBPA Top 100 camp in 2014, to hitting golf balls at Booker’s mountainside driving range in the 2024 offseason as a part of Russell’s “Backyard Podcast,” their friendship has mostly been unknown to the public.

But Sunday at Acrisure Arena, their bond was hidden in plain sight at midcourt.

“I guess a lot of people didn’t know (about our friendship),” Booker said Sunday. “But ever since I did the pod(cast) even people are like, ‘Man, I like your guys’ relationship.’ I’m like, ‘Man, that s— is so deeply rooted,’ it’s been such a long time.”

The 2015 first-round draft picks have had varying careers over the past decade. Russell, a one-time NBA All-Star, was drafted second overall by the Lakers and has become a bit of a journeyman – spending time with Brooklyn, Golden State and Minnesota before returning to the Lakers at the 2023 trade deadline.

Booker, a four-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA player and two-time Olympic gold medalist, has spent his career carving out his name in Phoenix sports history and will likely retire as the greatest Sun of all time.

But their kinship dates back even further than that Top 100 camp.

“Probably eighth grade, going into ninth,” Russell said in the podcast. “I was just like, ‘Bro, what’s your name? You’re cold bro what’s your name?’ Because I remember we was guarding each other and he was just polished, so I was just a fan. And from that point on, every camp we found a way to be roommates.”

Everything about Booker and Russell’s path to the NBA was different. Their bond strengthened every summer together at prospective camps, but their games grew equally as they were apart.

Booker, who was born in Michigan and went to high school in Mississippi, committed to the University of Kentucky where he was named SEC Sixth Man of the Year as a staple in one of John Calipari’s most memorable teams.

Russell, who was born in Kentucky and went to high school in Florida, committed to Ohio State University and averaged 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game en route to earning the Big Ten Conference Rookie of the Year award.

Different conferences and different roles turned into different NBA draft processes. Russell was projected in the top three and didn’t have nearly as rigorous a process as Booker, who was projected in the late-lottery range.

“They didn’t do no workouts, I’m in and out of flights,” Booker said of Russell and 2015 No. 1 draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns. “Every day him and Karl just back at the spot getting their training in. I’m (in) Phoenix, Denver, East Coast, I went to Charlotte, Miami.”

Russell added, “Then he would come back and be like, ‘Bro that s— was crazy, they had me doing this, had me doing that,’ (and) I’m like, ‘What? How? Tell me!’ I didn’t really get to experience it.”

Those times were crucial to the rookie guards who were exposed to different aspects of the league through each other. Booker confided in Russell about the difficulties of being a rookie guard backing up Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight on a 23-win team. Booker wasn’t permanently inserted into the starting lineup until Phoenix’s 39th game.

And Russell would reciprocate, detailing his time as a rookie point guard during a season where “it was all about Kobe and (his) farewell tour.” Russell reportedly butted heads with then-Lakers coach Byron Scott and lost his starting spot for a big chunk of the season.

Talking to each other nearly every day laid the groundwork for what their relationship would come to be – mutual growth while their journeys took them to different places.

“Book’s way was a little different, he wasn’t playing, he had to earn it,” Russell said as he admired his golf swing on Booker’s mountainside range. “Mine was different, I was (the) number two pick. I was starting, in and out of the rotation.

“But our stories were different to find a way to be at the top of this damn mountain.”

Their stories led them to Sunday. They’ve proven to be friendly off the court, but they both know it’s strictly business on it.

And so Suns guard Bradley Beal took LeBron James down the lane with 11 minutes left in the first quarter and kicked the ball out to Booker, who was open as Russell was helping on the drive. With no hesitation, Booker let the 27-footer fly over Russell’s closeout. Swish.

A few minutes later, Russell had the ball at the top of the key with Booker right in front of him. Russell lobbed the ball to Anthony Davis at the left elbow and cut to the basket off a backdoor screen from Austin Reaves, sinking a layup with Booker trailing him closely.

Booker responded shortly after with an and-one 3-pointer. 13-11 Suns.

Then Russell with a contested layup. 13-13.

Now Booker with a patented 14-footer. 15-13 Suns.

A few possessions later, Russell dribbled into a 28-foot fastbreak three. 18-15 Lakers.

Booker came back promptly with a corner three. 18-18.

Russell ended their first-quarter skirmish with a 15-foot jumper. 20-18 Lakers.

The two guards were on opposite sides of the ball, yet their games elevated each other. Different colored jerseys but the same No. 1 on their backs. The same appreciation for one another.

“It’s not enough I could say about that dude,” Russell said. “My relationship with him off the floor is something I value, something I always learn from, something I always look forward to encountering.”

Booker, describing how fruitful their relationship has been, added, “It’s been everything, for real. It’s a relationship that I cherish and will continue forever.”

The 10-year veterans meet four more times in the next month and a half, including another preseason game Oct. 17 at Footprint Center and the Lakers’ regular-season home opener Oct. 25.

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