https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/279644/Devin-Booker-Suns-Publicly-Commit-To-Each-Other Now we can move on from this foolishness. 'T'weren't gonna happen no-how.
Booker is def an upgrade over Jalen, but the question is if it's worth it to obtain that upgrade. Booker is a top 20 ish guy and is squarely in his prime right now. Assuming he keeps steadily improving the next few years, I'm assuming Jalen will be a top 30-40 guy in his prime. Is it worth trading four FRPs to swap a top 40 ish guy for a top 20 ish guy? Do we think Booker will still be a top 20 guy and can be a championship team's best player in a few years when the other young Rockets are starting to hit their prime?
The answer is no. Booker might be more efficient and even a better passer, but Booker is no better at creating his own shot. Green is on the verge of leveling up in regards to creating his own offense. He has already improved a ton with the three-point and mid range efficiency in this regard. he just needs to figure out how to be a little bit more effective in getting to the rim and drawing fouls. And to be honest there are times that the contact is there to warrant a whistle and he isn’t getting it
Anytime you see an NBA transaction rumor, you have to understand that almost all national NBA reporters are not really journalists. They are information merchants. They are putting out something that a FO or agent has texted to them, because it serves that FO or agent's purposes to release it. Always ask yourself "Which side wants this story out there?" Let's think: PHX? No. It destabilizes them and their fanbase. Booker? No way. HOU, if Booker is their real target? No. The more focused HOU looks on Booker, the more leverage it gives PHX. HOU, if Booker is not their real target? Yes. It destabilizes PHX and it gives HOU leverage over other places it could use the PHX picks in a trade. It creates a competitive "market" for the PHX picks. In any other trade negotiation, HOU can credibly say "actually we're saving these picks for Devin Booker". This creates leverage that wouldn't otherwise exist. You win negotiations by establishing a credible alternative to the transaction. That's what Booker is IMO.
With Jalen playing how he has the last 50 games or so, I just don't see a place for Booker on this team - I don't believe you can play them together. I have to stick with what I've said all along - No to Booker, lets either make those picks directly or use them to upgrade a different position - Starting with the PG spot. FVV has been atrocious most of the year, he's the weakest link despite all he brings in experience. Looking at how this is playing out, that pick will probably be 12ish. There's about 8 PG's expected to go between that 12 spot and the end of the first round - I want a long guy that can shoot. Egor Demin 6'9" and Sergio De Larrea 6'6" are two I want to see more of .... Both have played for international pro teams at the euro league level. Demin is really good in the pick and roll & setting up teammates and can finish at the rim / mid range in a bunch of ways De Larrea shot 50% from the floor and 45% from 3 .... only 76% at the line. Or maybe you try to trade up and pick 6'6" Kasparas Jakucionis who's projected to go just outside the top 5. Or maybe you package some of those picks (the Dallas & PHX 29's would be off the table for me) for an established star point guard .... if the right guy is available.
There are a few considerations to this. From a purely advanced stats point of view, Kevin Durant is the player with the highest VORP and BPM (by a somewhat considerable margin too). To add on to this, the Suns are 2-11 this season without Kevin Durant, although they are also 1-5 without Devin Booker. Booker is somewhat injury prone. Across his previous 7 seasons (since he was 21), he has averaged only 63.4 games, essentially missing more than 20% of games every season (funny enough, his healthiest season was during the COVID season, playing practically all available games). He seems to be healthier this season, but he will be 29 next year and it is very possible to expect him to miss more games as he gets older. Furthermore, the Suns play in the West, and are locked in with an albatross Bradley Beal contract for 3 more seasons. The Rockets will get the Sun's 2027 pick when Booker is 31, and Beal is on his last season on his contract. Most importantly, the Suns cannot attract free agents the way that Brooklyn Nets can, and their owner certainly isn't as wealthy as the Net's owner. The Suns' situation is almost far too bad to consider trading back their pick.
The other thing is Devin Booker led teams were typically lottery teams. Phoenix didn’t become a playoff team until they started trading for stars. If the team is Booker and Beal with a supporting cast, I like Houston’s chance with the suns lottery pick. Booker ain’t no leader
FVV has been atrocious at shooting all year, and was atrocious last night. He's been very efficient at passing. Not the most prolific assist man, but doesn't have the turnovers of the high assist guys either. He just generally is a steadying influence on the offense. Defense, he's usually not the one late rotating, not providing help at the nail the last 50 games or so. The Rockets likely will have the tax payer MLE. There won't be a PG better with the MLE than FVV (This assumes the Rockets have room under any hardcapped apron to use the MLE). On the trade route, the best way to replace FVV would be with a good playmaker. While not a PG, Booker at the SG with Amen at PG would be enough playmaking to actually move on from FVV as a starter, but you don't want that. I don't see any other better playmakers that will be available by trade (though Booker might not be either) that don't have worse issues elsewhere. The options for PG to me seem to be: 1. A Taxpayer MLE PG that is worse than FVV 2. FVV 3. Trading for Booker and having Amen be the PG. 4. Playing Amen as PG and Green at SG For the short term, (next 2 seasons), I'd rank those options as 3, 2, 4, and 0 in just on court play. I think option 1 is dumb. Option 3 may be cost prohibitive, but is the best option on the court if price wasn't an option. While 4 has been good this year, FVV with one and only one of Amen and Green has been significantly better most nights than Option 4. Option 4 may be better long term, but long term doesn't have much to do with FVV as keeping FVV likely has little to no harmful effects to the Rockets long term. Caveat: I think it is hard to defend with Green and Sengun without the right mix of players at the other 3 positions. I think Booker would have the same issues as Green on defense, but Booker's offense would be worth it if the acquiring price isn't too much. If the Rockets moved on from Sengun, Option 4 would look a lot better. I tend to be very much in keeping Sengun which affects my thoughts on keeping Green.
He was young. The Suns got to the Finals with Chris Paul and Booker. I think Amen and Sengun will be better than Chris Paul was by then very soon.
Booker done 0 accomplishments without Chris Paul, it was lottery team leader before Paul and he's a non playoff team once paul left
Green's play is translating for wins for a second seed team in the West in first 4 years, going back to last year 41 wins, booker wasn't even sniffing playoffs in his first 4 years, he didn't past 24 wins in any season until the bubble season, booker isn't an upgrade, booker is just name value
There are some rumors that Booker may go to Detroit. Maybe we can facilitate this deal (with PHX picks) and get Ausar in return.
Where the hell would you play him - team is already loaded at the 3 & 4 spots. Point guard is the weakest spot on the roster.
