Within a discussion about Houston’s future trade options on the latest Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link), ESPN’s Tim MacMahon points out that the Rockets control “a lot of Suns draft capital” and have “let it be known they are Devin Booker fans.”
However, while Booker might be the sort of player the Rockets would be willing to go all-in for on the trade market, MacMahon quickly added that there’s no indication the Suns would be interested in making that sort of deal, despite having underachieved this season at 19-20 with the league’s most expensive roster. His ESPN colleague Brian Windhorst interjected to drive that point home.
“Devin Booker is staying with the Suns,” Windhorst said. “I don’t see any wavering on that whatsoever.”
“There’s interest that’s been expressed and no indication that it’s even a possibility,” MacMahon agreed.
Here’s more on the Suns:
- Ahead of Tuesday’s game in Atlanta, Doug Haller of The Athletic described the Suns’ five-game Eastern Conference road trip as a make-or-break stretch for a team with aspirations of contention. The trip got off to a disappointing start, as Phoenix’s road record fell to 6-12 with a loss to the Hawks. The Suns will visit Washington next, on Thursday, followed by dates in Detroit (Saturday), Cleveland (Monday), and Brooklyn (next Wednesday).
- After sitting out the second half of Sunday’s win over Charlotte due to left knee soreness, Suns wing Grayson Allen said he’s been managing an issue with that knee for “two (or) three years,” Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic relays. “That makes it sound like it’s always bad,” Allen said. “It’s not always bad. It’s one of those things that’s better if I don’t miss time. So it’s used to getting minutes and everything.”
- Within a discussion of all five Pacific Division teams, John Hollinger of The Athletic says the Suns are in a precarious position due to their pricey, underachieving roster and their lack of future draft assets. Hollinger suggests that if the club doesn’t trade Booker and Kevin Durant over the summer to get its draft picks back, “the next decade will be one of the most dismal chapters in NBA history.”
- Still, Hollinger doesn’t believe a fire sale is coming anytime soon and expects the Suns to consider using their 2031 first-round pick to pursue a roster upgrade. If they go that route, they should focus on a young player who can help the club now and in the future, according to Hollinger, who wonders if a deal involving Jusuf Nurkic and the Suns’ lightly protected 2031 first-rounder for Wendell Carter Jr. might appeal to the Magic.
- Hollinger’s trade suggestion was published before word broke that the Suns have agreed to acquire another center, Nick Richards of the Hornets. The full story on that trade agreement can be found here.
Never understood the excitement on Wendell , I get why 2 k used his name pre ext to Jam into every trade machine as his salary was very movable but he’s underwater today post ext on a team that would prolly love to move off his current contract
it’s getting tight in Orl soon on the ledger and Goga has made him beyond expendable.Orl would do backflips if Phx sent that
“The next decade will be one of the most dismal chapters in NBA history.”
Didn’t most of us say this about the suns in the Richards article? I love all the knowledge we have here posting regularly on this website and of course it starts at the top with the fantastic hoopsrumors writers. We’re on it before many of the pros say it.
So yeah, the suns need to have a major fire sale and do it yesterday lol, no matter what Hollinger suggests. Of course, as we mentioned, Devin Booker needs to stay to keep butts in the seats and merchandising afloat.
You can say Beal was a mistake ……. Probably was
But they didn’t give up much for him.
Trading Ayton imo was worse.
LOL… you probably shouldn’t comment on other teams…. the Suns got Grayson Allen along with Nurkic out of the Ayton deal, which was all about turning one overpaid player into two smaller & more movable contracts
Ayton (2Y, 69 M) has been just as bad as Nurkic (2Y, 38 M) at twice the price.
Allen was a starter last season (lead the league in 3PT%), and signed an extension that makes him tradeable…. Something Ayton was NEVER going to be if they can’t even more off Nurkic.
Considering Suns have no options. They should be bringing in Fultz. Smith Jr. And every NBA player out there who has a chance to make team. Even if they find one player. It would be major.
lol
Fultz is a free agent because he’s not healthy.
You’re just throwing names at the wall rather than looking for GAMES that make sense next to established HOFers.
What is Dennis Smith Jr gonna do besides make KD and Booker play 4v5?
Suns have Booker and 76ers have Maxey. They could still be play-in teams in 2030
Lakers are smart. Hollywood can sign a superstar like Luka or Edwards then go from there
Lakers will be better than them after 5 years
CP3 (or another player they would’ve replaced him with at some point) – Booker – Bridges – Cam Johnson – Ayton
Would that team be worse than 19-20 now?
Yes, a team with Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson is going to be worse than a team with Kevin Durant, this is just being prisoner of the moment.
Lest we forget the aforementioned 2023 Suns team was 30-26 prior to trading for KD.
They won 49 games the following year with no point guard.
Real2K , not so fast. Johnson and Bridges each make only $25M. They save you $50M over KD and Beal (who you don’t want if you already have Booker, Bridges, and Johnson). That $50M player(s) has to be considered in your comparison.
When you trade a lot of assets for a player in his mid-30’s, it better pay off in year 1 or year 2. Otherwise you’ll regret it
Trading two role players for KD wasn’t the mistake.
Neither was dumping Ayton.
Come on home, Book. The Piston’s are finally on the right track, with a solid coach, GM, and a superstar in the making.
There is no doubt that if the Suns can’t pull out a lopsided trade in their favour(which is not going to happen), it should be reset time for Phoenix in the offseason. At a minimum, unless they finish strong/make a great trade, they have to explore deals for KD. I don’t see them wanting to deal Book, and they’re in no position to attach assets to clear out Beal. Keeping this team together for a couple of non-contending seasons will make the time to rebuild even longer and likely sees Book request his way out of town.
The problem with waiting to trade KD is that his value is fading fast. He’ll be 37 years old next season and he’s been injured often.
At this moment, he’s able to help a contending team win the 2024-25 Championship. Worth an extra FRP, maybe two FRP’s, over what he’ll get you this summer.