If the Phoenix Suns truly want to get out of the situation they find themselves in as a result of some failed blockbuster trades, then the only way that is going to happen is by trading Devin Booker.
Words that will get you chased out of The Valley with a pitchfork, but after a 2025-26 season in which the team exceeded expectations, it has become the only true way to reset the franchise and improve.
Booker's trade value is near peak and should be capitalized upon
The 29-year-old might not be thought of as one of the 10 best players in the league anymore, but his trade value is currently close enough to its peak of between 2021-2024. A run that came to an end once the Suns traded for Kevin Durant, and that is no coincidence.
The new NBA Draft Lottery rules mean obtaining picks is going to be as difficult as ever for the next three seasons at least, yet Booker could fetch the Suns a haul of these selections on top of a player or two. It would hurt to lose potentially the greatest player in franchise history, but let us take a harrowing look at the alternative path this team has currently taken.
"Big" decisions such as extending Mark Williams and bringing back Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin have to be made, but how much are they moving the needle really? Trading Grayson Allen or Royce O'Neale would also bring about change, but getting fair value for either of those guys appears difficult as well.
Dillon Brooks is eligible for an extension himself, and adding another large deal for him on top of Booker's massive contract and what is owed to Jalen Green (and likely soon to be Williams as well) would mean the cap sheet would be fit to burst for a roster that if they're lucky make it into the postseason proper once again.
Rinse and repeat for the duration of Booker's prime, with the added kicker that moving all of his co-stars becomes more difficult because of their salaries (Brooks), decreasing value (Green) or injury history (Williams).
The Suns would then find themselves in a position like the Utah Jazz did with Donovan Mitchell. An incredible player who the franchise can no longer put a contender around, and so the relationship between both sours before the player asks out to try and win elsewhere.
If that is the final destination here, and no Suns fan could begrudge Booker wanting to win a ring with another team if the opportunity presented itself, then why are they prolonging the inevitable? Only they're not going to be brave enough to make this decision this summer, and likely never will.
This is the only way back to relevancy while Booker is in the league, and it is painful to accept.
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