Devin Booker’s injury could have wide-ranging effects

TORONTO, ON - December 05: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns injures himself and leaves the court early during the second half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on December 5, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - December 05: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns injures himself and leaves the court early during the second half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on December 5, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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The Potential for Trades

PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 4: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after making a three point basket in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 4, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Suns defeated the 76ers 115-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 4: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after making a three point basket in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 4, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Suns defeated the 76ers 115-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

I’m not really sure if an extended Booker injury would necessarily effect any trades the Suns could make, however, I could see one particular thing happen:

They stand pat.

Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns /

Phoenix Suns

Granted, outside of Booker himself, the Suns don’t have anyone on the roster that could garner them a whole lot in a trade. As highly valued as Josh Jackson was to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a potential trade for Kyrie Irving, it is unlikely that a team would call the Suns for Jackson with anything other than a single first round pick, or multiple that are heavily cordoned off.

Unless someone throws something currently unfathomable at the Suns for for Greg Monroe, Tyson Chandler, Alex Len, or Jared Dudley, I could see McDonough actually stepping away from the phone for a while and let the process of dealing without Booker’s injury play out.

As is expected, the Suns would presumably take a significant step back in the standings without Booker and thus losing would play into the hands of trying to add a few extra ping-pong balls. Leaving the team as-is will guarantee that, while also guaranteeing a team that could still compete enough to give Booker an extra incentive to rehab to his fullest preparing for a later return, with the team otherwise entirely intact.