The Phoenix Suns have not had the season they wanted. For a while, it looked like they were destined for great things. Their 8-1 start to the season was elite, but ever since then, the year has been a disaster. Now, it looks like the entire team could be different next season, as a Kevin Durant trade seems inevitable, and there’s even a chance that Devin Booker could get moved.
It’s been reported that Booker would like to stay in Phoenix for his entire career, but maybe it’s better for the organization if they move on and get a haul for their franchise star.
So, as the brutal Suns season drags on to its bitter end, here are three trade packages Phoenix could get for Booker this summer to distract fans (and give them a reason to look ahead to the future).
Memphis Grizzlies
Depending on their performance in the playoffs this year, the Memphis Grizzlies could look to make a splash this summer, and Brook could be a perfect fit.
Getting back a player as talented as Desmond Bane would help the Suns maintain a solid level of talent moving forward, and they could evne look to trade him next season if they wanted to enter a full-on tank.
Vincent Williams Jr. is also a nice young player, and the picks they’d get in return would help replenish their draft cabinet.
For the Grizzlies, flipping Bane for Booker and using their picks to go all-in could be the difference between a high-level playoff team and a championship contender.
Detroit Pistons
With the emergence of Cade Cunningham as an All-Star, adding a guy like Booker could help take the Detroit Pistons to another level.
Adding Jaden Ivey would give the Suns a nice young prospect to jump start their rebuild with next to Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, and others. Tobias Harris could probably be flipped in another deal next year.
Phoenix would be able to get back a ton of picks in this trade, too, which would be ideal.
Meanwhile, the Pistons would create a Cunningham-Booker backcourt to pair with Jalen Duren, Malik Beasley, Ausar Thompson, and the rest of their core.
Oklahoma City Thunder
If there’s any team around the league that could help the Suns replenish their draft cabinet, it’s the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Lu Dort is a solid player, and Isaiah Joe is an elite shooter, but both are likely better as supporting cast members. Nikola Topic is a rookie, but he tore his ACL before the draft and has yet to play in an NBA game. He could be an interesting player for the Suns to get a look at.
The real prize in the deal, however, are the first-round picks the Thunder could offer. They have so many picks in this year’s draft, and beyond that, they could throw the farm at Phoenix for Booker.
There’s a chance the Thunder would rather maintain their depth instead of trading the farm for Booker, but if they fall short this year, maybe they will show an interest.