Devin Booker could net Suns massive return, should they trade him?

PHOENIX — There has been plenty of conversation about the course of action the Phoenix Suns need to take once this disastrous season inevitably flames out — and a new report suggests that putting Devin Booker on the market could net them a massive return worthy of starting an organizational reset.

“The Suns could probably get four first round picks for Booker and a rising star in his third or fourth year,” Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reported on Saturday.

Why is the 28-year-old star even being thrown in conversations after spending 10 years in Phoenix and becoming the franchise’s all-time leading scorer? Well, it’s part of a much bigger conversation revolving around Kevin Durant and his likely departure from the Valley this summer.

When the Suns blindsided Durant by taking calls on him from teams in the waning hours of the 2025 trade deadline, the 15-time All-Star and his camp were understandably upset, according to Rankin. However, Durant publicly said that he understood the move and business behind it and has even stated that he’d like to finish out his contract with Phoenix.

It’s unclear what a Durant trade would yield the Suns — certainly not as much as they gave up for him — but what is clear is if Mat Ishbia and his brass wanted to do a full organizational reset, the haul for Booker would be the best they could do.

Should the Suns even trade Devin Booker?

Which begs the question: should Phoenix even trade their most important figure in franchise history? The simple answer should be no.

Through the very few highs and soul-crushing lows, many have lauded Booker’s loyalty to the team — a mindset he adopted from the Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant who spent his entire 20-year career with the Purple and Gold.

However, maybe moving on is what’s best for the four-time All-Star. Multiple ownership groups have failed to build a competent team around Booker, aside from the 2021 finals team that was eventually ripped apart for Durant. Mike Budenholzer marks his eighth head coach in 10 seasons. He owes the franchise nothing.

Maybe sending him to the Houston Rockets for their draft picks that Houston owns and Amen Thompson would put Booker in a better situation. Even then, Thompson may be too valuable to the Rockets.

Oklahoma City has more first-rounders than players over the age of 25, maybe they could make an all-in move for him.

One thing is for sure: Booker is not a depleted asset. His prime years are frankly being overshadowed by an ownership group trying to recover from multiple overzealous decisions. He is arguably the second or third-best shooting guard in the NBA and any trade for him would undoubtedly yield a great return.