Booker to Houston

[durantbird]

Suns get Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr, Aaron Holiday, 2027 Pheonix FRP back, 25' + 26' SRP

Houston get Devin Booker

Houston has an excellent core, Booker can take them to the next level offensively and be a more serious contender

Suns need to choose whether they try to build a new core around Booker or start over. Given Booker's age and their lack of assets, I think they should pick the latter option. This is a decent package from Houston to go this route. Jalen Green is a nice replacement as your best scorer

[R-DAWG]

The price for Booker is going to be much higher than this. Pheonix doesn’t really want to trade Booker. Booker isn’t asking for a trade.

The only thing that could change course here is if Houston gives Pheonix the opportunity to hit the re-set button (assuming Ishbia accepts that is the best path forward) and gives PHX control of their draft (with help from Washington). HOU owns PHX 27/29 outright and can incentive Wash to relinquish swap rights in 26/28/30

Pheonix picks in 25/27/29 plus the better of all the complicated swap options in 26/28/30 still feels a little light for a top 15 player in his prime, but it’s a starting point.

[giberish]

The price for Booker is going to be much higher than this. Pheonix doesn’t really want to trade Booker. Booker isn’t asking for a trade.

The only thing that could change course here is if Houston gives Pheonix the opportunity to hit the re-set button (assuming Ishbia accepts that is the best path forward) and gives PHX control of their draft (with help from Washington). HOU owns PHX 27/29 outright and can incentive Wash to relinquish swap rights in 26/28/30

Pheonix picks in 25/27/29 plus the better of all the complicated swap options in 26/28/30 still feels a little light for a top 15 player in his prime, but it’s a starting point.

Arranging all those picks back feels like an overpay. At least more than what any other team would pay even if Phoenix wants more.

[R-DAWG]

The price for Booker is going to be much higher than this. Pheonix doesn’t really want to trade Booker. Booker isn’t asking for a trade.

The only thing that could change course here is if Houston gives Pheonix the opportunity to hit the re-set button (assuming Ishbia accepts that is the best path forward) and gives PHX control of their draft (with help from Washington). HOU owns PHX 27/29 outright and can incentive Wash to relinquish swap rights in 26/28/30

Pheonix picks in 25/27/29 plus the better of all the complicated swap options in 26/28/30 still feels a little light for a top 15 player in his prime, but it’s a starting point.

Arranging all those picks back feels like an overpay. At least more than what any other team would pay even if Phoenix wants more.

I’m not sure I agree. In a world where Rudy Gobert, Donnovan Mitchell and Mikal Bridges were traded for massive draft pick hauls, Booker will yield the same return if not more. If not, Pheonix won’t trade him.

[pipfan]

Would the Wiz take the #10 for the 26 swap back?

Booker to Hou
#10 to Wash
Green, Smith to Suns, and the '26 swap back, plus the '27 pick back

Hou becomes a real contender
Wash gets a solid pick
Suns start the 2 year full rebuild, trading KD and going full tank-rebuilding around Green, Ryan, Smith and assets from KD

[giberish]

The price for Booker is going to be much higher than this. Pheonix doesn’t really want to trade Booker. Booker isn’t asking for a trade.

The only thing that could change course here is if Houston gives Pheonix the opportunity to hit the re-set button (assuming Ishbia accepts that is the best path forward) and gives PHX control of their draft (with help from Washington). HOU owns PHX 27/29 outright and can incentive Wash to relinquish swap rights in 26/28/30

Pheonix picks in 25/27/29 plus the better of all the complicated swap options in 26/28/30 still feels a little light for a top 15 player in his prime, but it’s a starting point.

Arranging all those picks back feels like an overpay. At least more than what any other team would pay even if Phoenix wants more.

I’m not sure I agree. In a world where Rudy Gobert, Donnovan Mitchell and Mikal Bridges were traded for massive draft pick hauls, Booker will yield the same return if not more. If not, Pheonix won’t trade him.

The Suns picks are seen as much higher value than the volume of picks in those deals. There's a significant difference in value between picks that are expected to be late that have an outside chance of being good and picks that are expected to be higher.

[bkohler]

Suns get Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr, Aaron Holiday, 2027 Pheonix FRP back, 25' + 26' SRP

Houston get Devin Booker

Houston has an excellent core, Booker can take them to the next level offensively and be a more serious contender

Suns need to choose whether they try to build a new core around Booker or start over. Given Booker's age and their lack of assets, I think they should pick the latter option. This is a decent package from Houston to go this route. Jalen Green is a nice replacement as your best scorer

This feels like the eventual Durant trade to me.

[Xman]

[quote="giberish"][quote="R-DAWG"][quote="giberish"]

Arranging all those picks back feels like an overpay. At least more than what any other team would pay even if Phoenix wants more.[/quote]

I’m not sure I agree. In a world where Rudy Gobert, Donnovan Mitchell and Mikal Bridges were traded for massive draft pick hauls, Booker will yield the same return if not more. If not, Pheonix won’t trade him.[/quote].

The Suns picks are seen as much higher value than the volume of picks in those deals. There's a significant difference in value between picks that are expected to be late that have an outside chance of being good and picks that are expected to be higher.[/quote]



Phoenix traded one possibly good first in 2031 for three not good firsts
Cleveland traded three firsts and two swaps but all of those picks are projected 20-30 range, much like the picks phx acquired. True, Cleveland might bottom out and those picks become more valuable but it’s unlikely. Utah probably wouldn’t accept all three CLE picks for the 2031 phx pick.
Same goes for Minnesota picks.

Houston has the best two of hou/bkn/phx in 2027.
Also, best two of hou/dal/phx in 2029.
Those four picks are worth way more than what was in play in those other deals.
Would rather have Mitchell over Booker but that’s not an option.

[Kiss of Death]

Booker's current team: Could not even make the playoffs (with Kevin Durant).

The Rockets: 2 seed in the bloodbath west, 4th best record in the NBA.

Next level?

Compared to the Suns, the Rockets are already at the next level.

Not to mention, they would be paying a 30+ year old player $60+ M a year pretty soon and have to lose some talented younger players to do it.

No thanks.

[LarsV8]

These are my top offers for the Suns players

FVV / Whitmore / 2025 #9 for Durant - Might be able to route FVV to Orlando for different bodies and the 2025 Denver pick

Green / Jock / #9 / 27 Phx #1 / 29 Phx #1 for Booker


Regarding extensions, if Durant is agreeable to a team friendly extension like 2 years 30 or similar that would make him more valuable.

If Booker extends to the rumored 2 year 150m, I would be out of him all together, that is immediately the worst contract in the league.

[Xman]

Houston has talent. But, most of the players are defensive rebounding oriented. Shooting is lacking. Thus, the need for a scorer. Preferably at sg where Jalen has failed to fill that role with any consistency.
Booker or Mitchell would fit in well.
Still, not worth overpaying.

[Texas Chuck]

We need to just put all these in one big thread....

But Jabari and one pick, that requires Phoenix to suck to get value out of it, feels bad. So this seems to be assigning a ton more value to Green than I would be comfortable with.

But also sounds like Phoenix is going to extend him and he wants to be there(at least to get that extension), so I think Durant is the far more likely target if Houston looks to the Suns. But lars is finding all the sources that poo poo that, so that may be not a thing either.

[parsnips33]

Booker's current team: Could not even make the playoffs (with Kevin Durant).

The Rockets: 2 seed in the bloodbath west, 4th best record in the NBA.

Next level?

Compared to the Suns, the Rockets are already at the next level.

Not to mention, they would be paying a 30+ year old player $60+ M a year pretty soon and have to lose some talented younger players to do it.

No thanks.

You're not trading for the entire team lol, it's not like you suddenly become the Suns

[wemby]

Green / Jock / #9 / 27 Phx #1 / 29 Phx #1 for Booker.

Sorry, but this offer is trash. Suns aren't going to tank for 5 years, even more so when they'd only control their pick every other year, Nets hold their pick on even years I believe and that takes a lot of the leverage away from the Rockets and their "picks returned" approach. I can see the Suns being interested in their own 25 (and maybe 27) pick/s back, but at the very least they'll be asking for 2/3 of the Rockets best prospects, perhaps Green for salary matching purposes more so than value (he's wildly overrated by Rockets fans), but at least one or two more at their choice depending on the picks included. Amen would be off limits, maybe Sengun as well, everything else should be on the table (not everything together, of course). If this is the offer, Suns absolutely can do better.

[wemby]

Honestly, the more I think about it, the more I believe Suns should balk at a picks returned approach, their future is fragmented enough that no one team can give them full control back, and it'd be too expensive to achieve anyways. Suns should just flip Durant for a couple solid young vets, and Booker for as much young talent as they can get. Once they bounce back to at least a credible mid team long term, the value of their picks will plummet and they can get them back for far cheaper if they're so inclined.

[wemby]

My ask for Booker from the Rockets: Jabari Smith, Jalen Green, Reed Sheppard, Suns 25 returned (one of the two), plus matching salary as required, give or take a few assets. Otherwise just sell Durant for solid vets and improve your long term outlook (roster construction and cap flexibility), that instantly makes your future picks less valuable and, with it, your chances of getting them back.

[LarsV8]

Sorry, but this offer is trash. Suns aren't going to tank for 5 years, even more so when they'd only control their pick every other year, Nets hold their pick on even years I believe and that takes a lot of the leverage away from the Rockets and their "picks returned" approach. I can see the Suns being interested in their own 25 (and maybe 27) pick/s back, but at the very least they'll be asking for 2/3 of the Rockets best prospects, perhaps Green for salary matching purposes more so than value (he's wildly overrated by Rockets fans), but at least one or two more at their choice depending on the picks included. Amen would be off limits, maybe Sengun as well, everything else should be on the table (not everything together, of course). If this is the offer, Suns absolutely can do better.

Unfortunately for the Suns, they simply don't have the leverage to be demanding 2 or 3 of our top prospects.

Booker is a good player, but he isn't a throw everything you have for him type of player. And truth be told, I am starting to wonder if he is more like a Zach Lavine type player, because he can't seem to win games for ****.

This offer should be valued at 3 top ten picks, which is strong. What are the better offers they can do? Odds are we would be absolutely fine with them taking another offer, as it would only make our picks for valuable.

[wemby]

Unfortunately for the Suns, they simply don't have the leverage to be demanding 2 or 3 of our top prospects.

Booker is a good player, but he isn't a throw everything you have for him type of player. And truth be told, I am starting to wonder if he is more like a Zach Lavine type player, because he can't seem to win games for ****.

This offer should be valued at 3 top ten picks, which is strong. What are the better offers they can do? Odds are we would be absolutely fine with them taking another offer, as it would only make our picks for valuable.

That offer isn't 3 top 10 picks, it's 1 pick which may be 9-13 (with a small chance at top 4 which I assume you wouldn't offer) plus an overpaid and inefficient player that no longer holds top 10 value in Green, and two far out picks that aren't even on consecutive years which would prevent the Suns from an orderly bottom out, it makes no sense to plan a tank in 27 and 29 when you're also lacking their 26 and 28 picks which the Rockets can't offer. Suns just need to move Durant for 2/3 solid vets and cap flexibility, and the value of your picks trove gets cut in half. If Rockets are smart they cash in before Suns hire a competent GM.

[LarsV8]

Unfortunately for the Suns, they simply don't have the leverage to be demanding 2 or 3 of our top prospects.

Booker is a good player, but he isn't a throw everything you have for him type of player. And truth be told, I am starting to wonder if he is more like a Zach Lavine type player, because he can't seem to win games for ****.

This offer should be valued at 3 top ten picks, which is strong. What are the better offers they can do? Odds are we would be absolutely fine with them taking another offer, as it would only make our picks for valuable.

That offer isn't 3 top 10 picks, it's 1 pick which may be 9-13 (with a small chance at top 4 which I assume you wouldn't offer) plus an overpaid and inefficient player that no longer holds top 10 value in Green, and two far out picks that aren't even on consecutive years which would prevent the Suns from an orderly bottom out, it makes no sense to plan a tank in 27 and 29 when you're also lacking their 26 and 28 picks which the Rockets can't offer. Suns just need to move Durant for 2/3 solid vets and cap flexibility, and the value of your picks trove gets cut in half. If Rockets are smart they cash in before Suns hire a competent GM.

Who are these two solid vets and cap flexibility they are getting for Durant?

[jredsaz]

Unfortunately for the Suns, they simply don't have the leverage to be demanding 2 or 3 of our top prospects.

Booker is a good player, but he isn't a throw everything you have for him type of player. And truth be told, I am starting to wonder if he is more like a Zach Lavine type player, because he can't seem to win games for ****.

This offer should be valued at 3 top ten picks, which is strong. What are the better offers they can do? Odds are we would be absolutely fine with them taking another offer, as it would only make our picks for valuable.

That offer isn't 3 top 10 picks, it's 1 pick which may be 9-13 (with a small chance at top 4 which I assume you wouldn't offer) plus an overpaid and inefficient player that no longer holds top 10 value in Green, and two far out picks that aren't even on consecutive years which would prevent the Suns from an orderly bottom out, it makes no sense to plan a tank in 27 and 29 when you're also lacking their 26 and 28 picks which the Rockets can't offer. Suns just need to move Durant for 2/3 solid vets and cap flexibility, and the value of your picks trove gets cut in half. If Rockets are smart they cash in before Suns hire a competent GM.

Who are these two solid vets and cap flexibility they are getting for Durant?

I mean just about any Durant offer is going to recoup a couple solid players in return just for salary matching purposes. Maybe the Durant market is as terrible as you and others around here claim but two solid vets and some cap flexibility seems like the worst case scenario of returns the Suns should expect.