https://www.nba.com/news/suns-owner-franchise-reset Looks like this article puts this thread to rest. They are not trading Booker and going to use Durant for a trade to build around him. I doubt any of the rockets lower tier rookies is what they are eyeing...
I think people will be surprised by the return Phoenix gets for Durant. Hope I’m wrong, because I want the Suns to suck for years. It may be a little out there, but how GSW does in the playoffs might have an impact on Durant’s price. If old ass Jimmy Butler can keep GSW relevant for a couple more years, teams are going to look at Durant in a different light. You have Lebron, Curry, and Butler all making a difference for their teams. A team like the Knicks may see Durant in a similar vein and concoct a way to get him. Teams like the Bucks and T-Wolves may try to hang onto their stars by adding Durant as a good faith gesture. None of those teams have a lot of tradeable draft picks, but it seems like Phoenix is more interested in players than picks. There are also teams like Utah and OKC that may be willing to facilitate a trade for future considerations. The Heat could also be a pretty good trade partner. They could give this year’s GSW pick and 1 or 2 future picks plus Duncan Robinson and Andrew Wiggins.
Yes we previously wanted Booker but now that Jalen played horrifically in the playoffs we don’t want him and are content with Jalen. Also, we still have multiple first round offers lined up for Eric Gordon.
This is the only thing that makes sense for the Suns, which gives the Rockets leverage. With KD gone and probably a first-time head coach coming aboard, they would be insane to keep Booker and the Rockets have exactly what they want in return for him. If the trade happens, I might have to go slightly positive on Rafa Stone because the Nets trade last year that people here whined so much about would be proven genius.
I think Booker with Sengun and Amen is dynamite. The trade has to exclude those two. im also a bit dubious of the idea that the Suns are all about getting their picks back. Mainly because 3 different teams own their picks. So even if they got the picks from the rockets back its not like they can just tank every other year. It’s an interesting dynamic. We’ll see. A lot depends on what this new GM thinks.
There is only a couple of trades for Booker that will work for us with Phoenix in the 2nd apron without involving any other teams. FVV, Holiday, Cam and picks or Jalen, Reed, Cam, and Holiday plus picks. That’s presuming we wouldn’t be interested in including Amen, Sengun, or Jabari. In any case, I don’t believe the Suns will trade Booker even though it is super dumb on their part.
Me too. FVV & Brooks can easily slide into their starting lineup. FVV could be a 1 year deal and Brooks will come off the books in two with Beal They could easily stay competitive with FVV & Brooks, take best guard available at #10 to try to develop behind FVV. Beal and Brooks would be expiring contracts after a year. I don’t think they can afford a haul cap wise