Devin Booker’s importance to the Phoenix Suns franchise continues to grow.

General Manager Ryan McDonough said Thursday that Booker will have a voice in all of the organization’s major decisions going forward, including the search for a new coach, free agency and the draft.

“With his emergence and importance to not only what we’re doing in the short term but hopefully in the next decade-plus, I think it’s important to make him a partner in the process,” McDonough said.

McDonough’s comments tie in with Phoenix’s plans to make Booker the face of the franchise. It’s expected that the Suns will offer Booker a max five-year contract extension worth $156 million next summer, and Booker told azcentral sports in October that he’d sign the deal.

“I know how much the city cares about the franchise, and that means a lot to me, playing somewhere where people actually care about the franchise,” Booker said. “I love it here, I bought a house here and I intend to be here for a long time.”

It’s not new for Suns management to seek input from its players. McDonough said that, in particular, he talks to Phoenix’s younger players about college prospects in the draft because “a lot of them have played with those guys or against those guys and they know them personally.” The players’ input also played a part in McDonough and Managing General Partner Robert Sarver making Earl Watson the full-time coach in April of 2016.

But Booker’s influence will be more acute. McDonough said the Suns plan to build their team around Booker, so it only makes sense to get his opinion on everything from a coaching hire to free agents the team might want to sign.

“Kind of show him the blueprint and vision we have not only for the rest of this season, but for the summers of 2018, 2019, 2020, etc.,” McDonough said. “In terms of what he thinks are important characteristics for a head coach to have, what’s important to us as an organization and how we build over a number of years.”

That’s a lot of responsibility for a 21-year-old, but the Suns believe Booker is, as McDonough put it, “a really smart mature young guy who kind of gets the bigger picture.”

Booker said he appreciates the Suns’ trust in him and welcomes the bigger role he’ll have going forward.

“I think that comes with what people call being the face of the franchise,” Booker said. “I appreciate that because at the end of the day, it’s determining my future, too. It’s a heavy role, one I’m going to have to do a lot of research on, to see the type of players I want to play with. I’m sure I won’t be making the final decision but just throwing in my two cents and advice.”

Booker’s influence could portend well for interim coach Jay Triano. Earlier this month, Booker told azcentral sports that he’d like to see Triano retained as the permanent head coach. Triano has led the Suns to a 13-20 record since replacing Watson, who was fired three games into the season.

“Me and Triano have that relationship,” Booker said. “He’s somebody I’m comfortable with and somebody I’ve been around for a long time. I love Triano. I don’t make those calls, but he’s been doing a wonderful job since he’s been here and I would vouch for him. He’s been really good.”

In the meantime, if Booker is going to have a say in whom the Suns draft next June, he better start watching a lot of college basketball.

“Fine with me,” Booker said. “I love it.”

Reed assigned to NAZ Suns

Rookie guard Davon Reed, who’s missed all season after undergoing knee surgery, has been assigned to the Northern Arizona Suns. McDonough said the plan is to have Reed stay with the Suns’ G-League affiliate for up to a week-and-a-half, which means he could play up to four games with the NAZ Suns.

“Part of the thought process with the assignment is having him go through full practices and workouts with their team, so if and when he’s ready, he’s comfortable rather than have him get healthy up here and air-drop him in,” McDonough said.

McDonough Reed’s progress will be evaluated over the next week to 10 days to determine if he’s ready to join the Suns.

Forward Danuel House, who’s on a two-way contract, also was assigned to the NAZ Suns.

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Friday's game

Suns at Kings

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento.

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR 98.7 FM

Update: The Suns are 4-2 in their last six games. After being sidelined for three weeks with a strained left adductor muscle, Devin Booker returned to Phoenix’s lineup Tuesday and scored 32 points in a 99-97 win over Memphis. The Kings are 12-22, but they’re coming off a home win against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Sacramento beat Phoenix 99-92 back on December 12. The Kings will be without rookie point guard De’Aaron Fox (quadriceps tear). Zach Randolph leads a balanced Kings lineup in scoring at 15.5 points per game.