Whether the Phoenix Suns like it or not, this summer is about to be one filled with uncertainty and baseless rumors. That's just the deal when you're an underperforming franchise who just fired their third head coach in three seasons - brought in this guy as General Manager for some reason - and have Devin Booker and Kevin Durant on your roster.
The future of Durant in particular is one that is going to get a lot of people talking, and with good reason. The 36-year-old was supposedly available at the deadline - while the player the Suns wanted to replace him in Jimmy Butler - is a conference semi-finalist with the Golden State Warriors. The Houston Rockets make a lot of sense for Durant, but interest is apparently minimal on their side.
Suns shouldn't give up on Booker for enticing trade package.
As reported by Jake Fischer on "The Stein Line" substack Sunday, there's potentially a very good reason why the Rockets don't have a ton of interest right now. It's not just because Giannis Antetokounmpo might become available this summer - although that's a great reason to keep the powder dry - but also because of the future of Booker in The Valley.
Owner Mat Ishbia has already said Booker will be going nowhere this summer - and his actions so far very much reflect that - but what if the Rockets gave up three young players not named Jalen Green, plus some first round picks? These would include the Suns' own selections, and the level of player would be a step above what they'd be willing to give up for Durant.
Devin Booker is an Arizona treasure.
— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) April 23, 2025
Dbook saw some kids doing a lemonade stand. He stopped his car, bought a drink from the kid and left.
The kid was was so excited when he realized he just met Devin Booker. pic.twitter.com/1bz25uBGDr
Even if Amen Thompson wouldn't be part of the discussions - although the Suns should initially push hard for him to be included in any conversations had on this matter - the Rockets could still offer some combination of Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, plus a healthy selection of picks.
Despite that tempting offer, Booker is Phoenix basketball and not having him around would set the franchise back a long way. There is a small - yet vocal - part of the fanbase that yearns to go back to the days when the roster was young, scrappy and tons of fun as they tried to climb up the Western Conference ladder.
Those days were great, but do you know what is better? Being a legitimate contender, which having Booker on their roster gets them closer to becoming once more. as these playoffs have shown us, it is the teams with the stars who go the furthest. Booker has always given the Suns the best chance of winning, you only need to go back to 2021 to see that.
The better course of action here is to move on from Durant, get what they can back for him and re-tool around Booker. Moving on from their franchise cornerstone for a ton of young players would be fun for a minute, and it would give the organization more flexibility to make trades. They wouldn't have a star - and more importantly potential best player in franchise history - though. That's too big a loss.