Phoenix Suns superstar Devin Booker has the 11th best trade value in the NBA, according to The Ringer’s Bill Simmons.
Simmons, a long-time ESPN writer who now hosts his own podcast, was joined by journalist Ryen Russillo to dissect his ‘NBA Trade Value List‘.
The list constituted of 64 players, compiled into a host of separate categories. In comparison to a list of the league’s best players, this takes into account performance relative to contract.
Suns superstar Devin Booker recently signed a four-year, $224 million supermax extension, yet he still remains one of the most valuable assets in the NBA.
Booker had a career year in 2021-22, averaging career highs in points, rebounds, steals and blocks, while shooting 38.3% from three-point range.
Booker was lumped into Simmons’ category labelled ‘true franchise guys’, along with Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, Miami’s Jimmy Butler, the Clippers’ Paul George, Atlanta’s Trae Young and the Lakers’ Anthony Davis.
The three-time All-Star was at the top of that list, with Simmons’ alluding to Booker’s recent success.
"“I think he has the most trade value (of this group), he’s also had a lot of success. He came very close to winning the title, he’s a proven guy. We saw him with Chris Paul out of the lineup, at least in the regular season, keep that team going”."
Ironically, Booker was ranked immediately below Brooklyn Nets’ superstar Kevin Durant. There remains a potential that the two could become teammates after Durant requested a trade earlier in the month.
Although he ranked the two-time Finals MVP as having higher trade value, Simmons knows that Booker won’t be included in any such deal for Durant.
"“It matters when you become the guy. They don’t even need to tell Devin Booker, ‘hey we won’t trade you for KD’. He knows he’s not getting traded, he’s the guy in Phoenix”."
Booker and the Suns have a huge offseason ahead as they embark on making amends for their disappointing exit in the 2022 playoffs.