An NBA trade idea sending Devin Booker from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets has been created.
NBA writer Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Suns and Rockets:
Houston Rockets get: Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns get: Fred VanVleet, Reed Sheppard, Steven Adams, Jeff Green, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick
“Devin Booker can’t be traded until January, and it’d be admittedly weird if the Suns and Rockets transacted again so soon after the Kevin Durant deal. But there’s just no other logical destination for this pair of future first-rounders. That also helps overcome the reality that Booker has never shown a willingness to leave the Suns,” Hughes wrote.
“The Suns need these picks back. Otherwise, the non-playoff seasons ahead won’t feature the typical payoff: high lottery position. The key to ensuring Phoenix’s fallow period lasts only a couple of seasons is regaining control of those 2027 and 2029 selections. Otherwise, the dark days could stretch well into the 2030s.
“Oh, and if this feels like the player package accompanying these valuable picks is a little underwhelming, remember that Booker’s massive extension might not actually be that great of a value from Houston’s perspective. He’s on the books through 2029-30 (player option), when he’ll earn $69.2 million in his age-34 season.”
The Suns signed Booker to a two-year, $133 million extension in July. The shooting guard can’t be traded until January 10, 2026.
Booker and Durant were teammates on the Suns for three seasons. Durant was traded by Phoenix to Houston this offseason. It would certainly be strange to see the Suns and Rockets complete another trade with each other, but like Hughes wrote, Phoenix needs to acquire its draft picks back from Houston so its future isn’t completely dreadful.
A four-time All-Star, Booker averaged 25.6 points and 7.1 assists for the Suns last season while shooting 46.1% from the field, 33.2% from beyond the arc and 89.4% from the free-throw line. The 28-year-old is one of the best scorers in the NBA.
The Rockets could start Booker, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Durant and Alperen Şengün. That would be a lethal starting lineup.