Major changes could be coming to the Suns this summer, but they won’t include a trade of Devin Booker, owner Mat Ishbia told Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
Ishbia admits the team has fallen far short of expectations as it faces a desperate race to overtake Dallas and sneak into the play-in tournament as the 10th seed. But even if Phoenix misses out on the postseason, Ishbia plans to rebuild around the 28-year-old guard rather than consider trade offers.
“Never happen,” Ishbia said about the possibility of parting with Booker. “It’s silly. So here’s what I’ll tell you: I have Devin Booker in the prime. In order to win an NBA championship, you got to have a superstar. You got to have a great player.”
Sources tell MacMahon that the Rockets have made several calls about Booker, but have failed to make any traction. Houston is uniquely positioned to leverage a deal, holding swap rights for the Suns’ first-round pick this year, along with the team’s unprotected first-rounders in 2027 and 2029. All those assets were originally sent to Brooklyn in the Durant trade two years ago.
Booker is likewise committed to staying in Phoenix and has no plans to request a trade, according to MacMahon. He went through four extreme losing seasons early in his career before helping turn the Suns into a winner and eventually reaching the Finals in 2021. He’s ready to repeat that process and wants to spend his entire career with one franchise. He has shared his intentions with Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartlestein and general manager James Jones, MacMahon adds.
“I take pride in the community in Phoenix, the people that have supported me since I was 18 when things were ugly,” Booker said. “And the people that are with us, we just fell short of accomplishing what we want. So I want to do it, and I want to do it here. That’s the responsibility of being a franchise player, and I wear that with honor. So it might not look the most pretty right now, but we got to get it done and I’m going to do it.”
There’s far less certainty surrounding Kevin Durant, who’s widely expected to be on the move this summer. Durant admitted being “blindsided” when his name came up in trade talks before last month’s deadline, and there’s heavy speculation that he’ll want to continue his career somewhere else next season. Durant, who will turn 37 in September, has one year left on his contract at $54.7MM.
A potential deal with the Warriors died when Durant said he didn’t want to return to the Bay Area. Sources tell MacMahon that Phoenix also discussed frameworks of Durant trades with the Timberwolves, Heat and Rockets, with some of those sources pointing to the Knicks as a possible fit. Houston officials told ESPN that the Suns called them to gauge their interest in Durant.
MacMahon’s sources said Suns management will consult with Durant and business partner Rich Kleiman on any trade discussions that take place this summer. Durant will be eligible to sign a two-year, $122MM extension with his new team.
Ishbia indicated that a Durant trade will be one of many strategies the front office plans to explore once the season ends.
“I’ll just say that we’re going to evaluate in the offseason,” Ishbia said. “We’re going to find a way to win, and it’s probably a lot easier winning with Kevin Durant than without him. But at the same time, yes, if we’re not good enough in this iteration of the Phoenix Suns, we’re going to find a way to be better next year. “
Bradley Beal, who was reluctant to waive his no-trade clause to help the Suns complete a deal for Jimmy Butler, suggested to MacMahon that he might be more open to changing teams during the offseason. Beal, who was demoted to a bench role in January and February, feels like he has been disrespected at times.
“It is a different deal in the summer,” he said. “Everything is kind of more laid out on the table. You got more options.”
Idiotic choice if Beal isn’t moved.
Well, it’s only idiotic if Beal agrees to waive his no trade clause AND they don’t trade.
Booker can get them back the most player and draft capital, its pretty idiotic keeping him around too.
Only to you …. Yet your Curry doll is worn out again. Hypocrisy at its best lol
That’s not what hypocrisy means. You are mentally unwell, Al. Please seek help. Your essay posts on here never make a lick of sense. Welcome to my mute list.
Poor Davey is upset again. Maybe a nap and some warm milk will help.
Doncic trade changed the expected package back in a deal for a star player. …. If they ain’t dealing with Houston, who can put Jabari Smith in a package, or Detroit, who can put Jaden Ivey in a package ……. Gonna be real hard to pry a young player with promise away from another team. Draft capital can cause you to become Utah or Washington with a lot of picks, and still not add any talent worthwhile.
Good, I want to see Suns suck for next decade, keeping Booker guarantees it.
This owner has torn this team’s future apart, only been owner for a couple season trade the house for Durrant, then Beal and what does he have to show for it a team that is the bottom feeder of the NBA. The Suns need to totally rebuild again ala this time like OKC build up through the draft, take your lumps for the next three or four seasons. Quit going for the super stars from other teams, build your own do your own do diligence.
They actually DID that with Ayton, Johnson, Bridges, and Booker. Then Jerry Jones 2.0 bought the team and decided to play with it like he was in a fantasy league.
Stupid.
Beal can’t be moved till end if year. Or even next year. It is what it is.
Moving KD is right move. Getting value to start the redo of this team. Booker is their home grown star. Suns can be competitive next year. While building for the future.
Only miracle is ……. Beal balls out next year. Making it easier to trade and get some kind of value. They can hope. KD imo has plenty of value still.
Devin Booker is no longer a “franchise” player. He can’t win you anything without a lot of help. After shooting 36% from distance last year, Booker is currently knocking down just 34.6% of his shots from distance. Booker doesn’t elevate anybody on the floor. Good player, but no longer on any type of “great” trajectory.
Again with the timing. So suspicious. Why are they doimg this? Someone bigger is pulling strings, mark my words