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3 Phoenix Suns players whose trade value increased in 2023

By Luke Duffy

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 05: (L-R) Ish Wainright #12, Josh Okogie #2, Deandre Ayton #22, Chris Paul #3, Jock Landale #11, head coach Monty Williams and associate coach Kevin Young of the Phoenix Suns look on during Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 05, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 121-114. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 05: (L-R) Ish Wainright #12, Josh Okogie #2, Deandre Ayton #22, Chris Paul #3, Jock Landale #11, head coach Monty Williams and associate coach Kevin Young of the Phoenix Suns look on during Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 05, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 121-114. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 07: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 07: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

3 Phoenix Suns players whose trade value increased in 2023.

3. Devin Booker

We will get the obvious out of the way early, but Booker was phenomenal in the postseason. Before getting stopped by the Denver Nuggets in six, he was having the kind of run that has ended in a parade for other players in the past. It wasn’t just that Booker averaged over 33 points per game throughout.

He did whatever the team needed him to, and he caught fire most nights to help the Suns beat the L.A. Clippers in five, before hanging around with the Nuggets longer than anybody else in the Western Conference could manage. Those 47 and 45 point nigghts versus the Clippers were special.

https://twitter.com/KEVlNGARNETT/status/1661249899894300672

Booker would repeat this trick, pouring 47 and then 36 in back-to-back wins to help his side out of a 2-0 hole versus the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic is that good, and right now it is looking like his year. But to write off what Booker did would be ridiculous, and despite seemingly being around forever, he is still somehow only 26-years-old.

He is a top 10 player in the league who the Suns wouldn’t trade, so why is he here? Well, Booker is now so good and has reached yet another level that it would not be ridiculous for him to headline a trade for any other player in the league. Not that Suns fans want that to happen, but even if he isn’t going to be traded anytime soon, his value still increased.

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Let’s say Giannis Antetokounmpo decides he wants out of the Milwaukee Bucks. Booker straight up is now a place to start the conversation, and that has not always been the case. Put another way and the front office likely wouldn’t trade him for Joel Embiid. You know, the guy who just won the MVP award this year.

Booker is special, and we are about to embark on his prime years. He’s not for sale at any price, but the price still went up a notch off the back of his playoff performances this season. He is the perfect player to have next to Durant, offensively at least, and his value is most certainly as high as it has ever been.

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