Devin Booker Should be Completely off the Trading Block

It’s Rumor Mill central for the Phoenix Suns this offseason. Whether analysts believe Paul Millsap, Russell Westbrook, or Jahlil Okafor are headed to the Suns next, they continue to state trade ideas the Suns should not be interested in.

Devin Booker should not and will not go anywhere. If every fan can make one consensus agreement, it’s that Booker is the star of the future in Phoenix. There should be no way his name is brought up in trade talks unless the Suns are receiving the entire Golden State Warriors team in return. No, he isn’t worth that much. But the Suns don’t have another superstar of the future. They have Booker, who is the star now and for years to come.

At 19-years-old, Booker is young, talented, and the brightest light in Phoenix. As First-Team All-Rookie last season, Booker exhibited his talents to the NBA world. Proving he is one of the best young stars in the game. Lucky for Phoenix, who drafted this stud. Now, it’s time to make sure they build around him. Not let him go.

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There haven’t been many rumors surrounding Booker. There were talks that he had a shot to land in LA playing for the Lakers. Others say there’s a possibility he can be dealt to Boston for a handful of guys. Even Valley of the Suns’ very own, Kyle Fleeger, suggested the possibility of Booker ending up in Oklahoma City for Russell Westbrook.

The Suns shouldn’t send him anywhere, though. No player on the Suns’ radar is worthy of this future All-Star. Not even Russell Westbrook. The Suns finally have a solid young roster to grow with, and it should stay that way. Not saying that they should completely avoid all trade possibilities for veterans. But anything involving Booker needs to be a much bigger deal Phoenix’s way.

The player who lead a rookie class filled with talent like Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, Jabari Parker, and much more in free throw percentage (84%). Made the NBA All-Rookie First-Team. Became the first rookie since Blake Griffin to score 30 plus points in six or more games. And joined an elite group of teenagers to eclipse the 1,000 points mark. Adding his name to a list of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, and Dwight Howard.

He’s clearly a diamond in the rough found at the end of the lottery. Watching him play, it’s undeniable he is already NBA ready and has a lot left before he reaches his full potential. Plus, he’s a scorer. Something the Suns are in desperate need of. When you finish 22nd in the NBA in PPG, there needs to be change involving the offense. Booker is a great place to start that change. He has one of the best shots in the NBA. Can drive and pass. And can get hot at any second, even in clutch situations. There’s zero doubt he is the Suns’ offensive leader.

Booker finished fourth in rookies with 13.8 PPG. However, during his time in the starting lineup, Booker averaged 18.5 PPG, which would have led all rookies. Whether his name would have been taken more seriously as Rookie of the Year, if he was in the starting lineup all season, is something to think about. Which leaves the question to why these offseason rumors still have his name involved.

He’s one of the top rookies of his class. One of the most talented classes in many years. There isn’t even a question to whether or not he is going to do well in the NBA. At this point, it’s more of a question of how long it will take before he’s a top NBA player. No other player in the league is worth him. Not unless teams are throwing everything they’ve got at the Suns.

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But even if a team offered a top-tier player like Russell Westbrook, the Suns should still be uneasy. Everything has to be perfect to deal Booker. You can’t accept a trade for a player with one year left on his contract. Or a player who isn’t looking to come to Phoenix. Everything aspect of a Booker trade would have to be perfect. That’s the only way the Suns should even consider a trade involving his name. If a team can’t please the Suns, the shouldn’t get Booker.

Honestly, the Suns getting rid of Booker even for a superstar isn’t the best idea. When a player has his upside, it’s worth the wait. The sky is the limit for this kid. If the Suns were smart they’d let him touch the sky before deciding anything. Really, they shouldn’t even be talking about it. There is no need to make Booker worry when he’s your star. Take the slow road and build a team who can win with him. Adding Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender were a terrific start. Now, it’s time to not do anything dumb. Drastic moves are bad moves.

Remember that Devin Booker is your future. With the signing of Kevin Durant to the Warriors, and Dwayne Wade most-likely to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the chances of winning an NBA Championship over the next few years are slim. So, take that time to build around Booker.

If the Suns are successful, they can be the next Golden State Warriors or Cleveland Cavaliers.

Rumor: Russell Westbrook to the Suns?