Ryan Russillo of The Ringer created a stir earlier this week by declaring during an episode of Bill Simmons’ podcast that Devin Booker’s desire to leave the Suns is “the worst-kept secret in the league.” However, that claim has been repeatedly refuted in recent days.
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7, one of Phoenix’s most plugged-in reporters, emphatically shot down the idea that Booker wants out of Phoenix, calling it “100% not true” and adding that “not one time has he ever told anyone he wanted out” (Twitter link). For good measure, Gambadoro added, “Don’t listen to this garbage.”
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype conveyed a similar sentiment, citing a source who says there’s no truth to the idea that Booker wants out. Scotto also noted that multiple executives who have been in touch with the Suns say the star guard won’t be traded.
Elsewhere, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reported that the Timberwolves have been looking into Booker’s possible availability for months but have been given zero indication he’ll be available. And Zach Lowe of ESPN wrote this week that the Suns have shown no interest in moving Booker for either of the top two picks in this year’s draft.
The notion that Booker would have become dissatisfied with his situation in Phoenix this year doesn’t make a lot of sense. The Suns were one of the most impressive teams in the Walt Disney World bubble this summer, winning all eight of their seeding games and finishing the season with a .466 winning percentage — it was the first time in Booker’s career that number didn’t end up below .300.
On top of that, Booker still has four years remaining on the contract extension he signed in 2018. Even if he did want out of Phoenix, he wouldn’t be in a strong position to push for a trade.
“He has no leverage,” an Eastern Conference executive told Scotto. “He’s locked up for four more years. There is no way for him to demand a trade with that much time left on his contract.”
While the Timberwolves and other clubs will likely keep checking in with the Suns to see if anything changes, it sounds like a safe bet that Booker will remain in Phoenix for the foreseeable future.
Sportswriters and making stuff up, a classic combination
I mean, do you think sometimes people say things for clicks and views? I doubt it.
Podcasting must not be paying enough…gotta boost the # of subscribers by shoveling some BS and I don’t mean Bill Simmons.
even if the wolves get booker at some point, there would need to be some other moves to even be considered a contender. that defense would be brutal.
but hey i’d take a big three of KAT, Book, and Dlo any day
even if the wolves get booker at some point, there would need to be some other moves to even be considered a contender. that defense would be brutal.
but hey i’d take a big three of KAT, Book, and Dlo any day
Why wouldn’t he want to join a contender. Does he like losing?
So you’re saying he’d want to stay in Phoenix and avoid Houston? Sounds right.
Huh? Houston went much deeper this year. By all measures they were more of a contender even if you prefer Devin Booker’s trading cards to James Harden’s…I’ll wait…
Big surprise Houston “went much deeper this year” without Steph Curry to end them, like he does EVERY YEAR.
Okay…if injuries are everything then Golden Warriors lose to a healthy Chris Paul…you can’t have it both ways…sorry :(
It would be awesome if the Warriors make the playoffs next year and lose to the Rockets in the first round. Golden State is far from being a lock to make the postseason, but I hope they get there.
You seem to think that GSW will get one of the last PO berths (if they get one at all). Then I don’t see how they could play Houston in the 1st round.
They’re gonna be saying the same thing about Harden
It’s comical watching Rockets and Warriors fans bicker.
Can’t see why Booker would want out either really. They just had a great return in the bubble. For once in his career the team looks pretty well balanced they have a good coach and they continue to try build around him.
I think they should look to draft a PG and have him be back up to Rubio and then eventually take over the starting position but in the mean time play that sixth man role. I’d also seriously look into a trade of Aaron Gordon for Kelly Oubre. Both have similar contract around 17mil and both with 2 years. This would allow Bridges and Cam Johnson more minutes at the 3.
I like the direction of the Suns they just need to stay with it for now. If they have another 40 wins or less year then I wouldn’t be surprised if Booker left
The facts are before the bubble Phoenix was disappointing, and you know fans they hate to see a talent like Booker (a great guard) wasting his time and his youth, so they come up with stories like this one. Patience…it is a virtue.
I want to know which Eastern conference executive said Booker has no leverage, because that’s not at all correct. If you’re the best player on your team (and Booker is, at least for now), and other teams have interest in you, you *absolutely* have leverage. All you have to do is demand a trade in the media. You’ll get fined, but you’ll cause such a headache for the team that they’ll eventually trade you to end the nightmare.
The only reason more players don’t do this is that they don’t want to hurt their public image, because that costs them endorsements.
Lol your analogy is the same as saying “well humans technically could live underwater…they just couldn’t ya know, breathe.” Okay Booker shoots his way out of town…tell me who has leverage when they’re so desperate to get out of a situation that they’re willing to do anything…
So you’re saying that, if Booker demands a trade, he not only hurts himself, but also hurts the team because he’s less valuable?
If so, you’re starting to get it!
Now pretend that, before Booker goes on ESPN and says he wants out, he tells the GM he’s done. The GM can either a) ignore the fact a player wants out and hope said player isn’t foolish enough to demand a trade publicly or b) start working on a trade, because sooner or later word will get out and leverage will be gone.
Smart GMs trade players who want out. Dumb GMs say “we’ve got a contract.”
“Hey TEAM X Booker’s available”
“Really?”
“Yeah”
“Why?”
(He wants to be traded and is unhappy here but hasn’t said it publicly.)
“Oh I dunno, franchise is going in a different direction”
“What do you know that we don’t?”
“Nothing! Chill! Do you want him or not?”
“Ok I’ll just take your word for it. Anything you want on our team is yours!”
“Ey James, can I call you James? James, the team sucks, it’s too hot here. I want out.”
“Devin…no one forced you to sign a contract. You seemed pretty happy about all that cash we gave you”
“Yeah we’ll take backsies”
“Sorry. Play or sit on the bench”
“I’ll demand a trade”
“Ok…did you recently start playing the drums because all I hear is a dum dum”
“The team will never recover, and you’ll get nothing in return for me”
“You always were a great shooter Devin. And look, you just shot yourself in the foot”
“Fine coach I’ll play. If I give up now there’s no way we’ll make the playoffs. Thanks”
“Welcome”
Any player who wants out always has and will say it publicly. If you don’t hear it officially, then its mere “terrible sportswriter filling word counts for a paycheck” and 1000% untrue.
Anyone who believes Booker would be traded. Should find another sport to follow. Suns are a young team. They are building a winner there. They just got Ayton. Who hasn’t played a full season yet. Get informed and stop drinking the koolaid or eating up the hype.
Booker should demand a trade, if he hasn’t already.
Phoenix is a dead-end – Robert Sarver is nearly as bad an owner as Jimmy Dolan, which is to say he is god awful. Sarver will inevitably manage to screw things up by undermining the GM, firing a coach, or making a dumb trade that hurts the team to save a few bucks.
Any young player on that team should be hoping for a trade.
So certain players under contracts can force their way out and impose their will on their employers! Unreal! Nowadays players are bunch of clowns and act like kids. Booker is good but not good enough to lead his team to the playoff. He won’t win s**t with lazy Kat just ask Jimmy Bucket!
Sorry to say but Bucket hasn’t won anything without KAT neither! & believe me in MIA he ain’t gonna win a ring any time soon, like in the next 5 years or so… so what is your point?
KAT is a generational talent, a perennial MVP candidate, Buckets will never even once be that!
He literally just signed his extension…literally.
That said the NBA has to change the way RFA works…it is terrible.
Realistically, if you are Minnesota, GS, or Charlotte… especially Charlotte, you give up your top draft pick for him.
Right?
You’ll be giving up a lot more than a top 3 pick in this draft. Or most other drafts, for that matter.
Booker is on the rise to legit stardom, especially if the Suns make the playoffs this year and he doesn’t totally flame out.
Minnesota should give up #1 for Booker.
^absolutely
we would have to give up a kings ransom. that being said, I still do it.