The Phoenix Suns are witnessing Devin Booker getting closer to becoming the greatest player in franchise history. The hope is to rebuild a new contending roster around Booker as the top star. However, in his earlier years, Phoenix was tempted to trade Booker and almost came close to a blockbuster deal.
### A Blockbuster Trade That Almost Happened
Former Suns head coach Earl Watson revealed that he stepped in to stop the owner from trading Booker to the Chicago Bulls for Jimmy Butler. Watson recounted the moment:
“Robert Sarver goes, ‘We have a trade for Devin. We’re gonna send Devin to Chicago for Jimmy Butler’. I said, ‘If you trade Devin Booker, I am resigning tonight.’”
Butler was on the trade block because Chicago realized he was no longer going to be a long-term part of their franchise. Phoenix showed interest in making Butler the new face of the team since he was in his prime. However, Watson believed too much in Booker’s talent to deal him away for the first chance at acquiring a superstar.
### Why the Suns Almost Traded Devin Booker
Sarver’s rationale behind wanting to trade Booker wasn’t a reflection on the rising star himself. The Suns had lost relevance after the Nash era and were desperate to make a move that would push them closer toward contention. While Booker showed promise, the decision to build around him took years before they could field a contender.
Jimmy Butler represented a top-tier player in his prime, clearly ascending and expected to accomplish even more in the league. Phoenix showed interest in pairing Butler with Booker by potentially moving other assets as well, but Chicago wasn’t interested without their top prospect included.
Ultimately, Watson’s words influenced Sarver to shut down the trade proposal. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Butler, which later exposed some flaws with that move—Butler was not secured to a long-term deal and requested a trade after the team failed to meet his contract expectations within two seasons.
### Booker’s Rise and Phoenix’s Future
Phoenix eventually became a contender years later with Booker as the clear best player, proving Watson right to keep the young guard.
#### Can Devin Booker Get Traded Soon?
The Suns’ recent era featuring their “big three” of Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal didn’t pan out as hoped. In the most recent offseason, Durant and Beal were moved, but Booker’s name began surfacing in online conversations about his future with the franchise.
While the Suns might have received more value trading Booker than they did for Durant or Beal, his importance as a homegrown player who led the Suns out of years of NBA irrelevance played a major role in their decision to keep him. Loyalty between Booker and Phoenix has created mutual trust that the team can become a serious contender again with Booker still in his prime.
Time will tell if the Suns have enough assets to surround their franchise star with the right talent. However, they currently have a chance for a franchise GOAT to spend his entire career with them. Earl Watson deserves credit for ensuring Booker remained in a Phoenix uniform—a decision that many coaches might not have made when a more established superstar was available.
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Devin Booker’s journey reflects both the challenges and rewards of patient team building, and the Suns’ faith in him could shape the franchise’s future for years to come.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-traded-devin-booker-jimmy-butler/