An NBA expert has speculated that the Spurs could trade for Suns point guard Devin Booker this summer.
According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, the Spurs and Suns could reportedly deal for the following superstars:
The deal: Devin Booker, along with Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham, Zach Collins, Blake Wesley, the fourth overall pick, the eighth overall pick, two first-round picks in 2025 and 2027 (via Atlanta), and the San Antonio Spurs’ fourth and eighth overall selections, are traded to the Phoenix Suns by the San Antonio Spurs.
The Suns finished the regular season with 49 victories, however they were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In the meantime, the Spurs only managed 22 victories.
According to Buckley, “the Spurs have so much more to offer,” meaning that the names and picks going to the Suns are practically irrelevant. They might put Victor Wembanyama on ice if Booker was actually a consideration. (Requesting Devin Vassell’s presence might potentially derail the negotiations, or at the very least drastically cut down on the assets involved.)
If you’re looking at Booker’s value, particularly to the Spurs, this seems quite accurate. They are in need of a top-tier main creator to collaborate with Wembanyama, and Booker fits the bill. Just last season, he averaged 25 points, 5 assists, and 2 three-pointers for the fourth time in his career. There are just eight players in history who have accomplished the same or more.
In addition to laying the groundwork for a long-term contender, a Booker-Wembanyama duo would be a lethal NBA Jam-style duo. Once again, the Spurs likely won’t be able to sign Booker this summer. However, before focusing on other key playmaker targets, it might be worth calling to find out for sure.
Next season, Booker will earn $49.4 million. He extended his contract with the Suns for four more years and $221 million in July 2022.
In addition to averaging 27.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists, Booker shot 49.2% from the field, 36.4% from beyond the arc, and 88.6% from the free-throw line this season, solidifying his position as one of the top scorers in the NBA.
In his professional career, Booker has averaged 24.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. He will turn 28 in October. In a 2016–17 season matchup with the Boston Celtics, he scored 70 points.
After Frank Vogel’s first season with the Suns, Mike Budenholzer was hired. The team has the largest payroll in the NBA at $209 million going into the offseason, and they anticipate a luxury tax penalty of $116 million.
As a rookie with the Spurs, Wembanyama was spectacular. While shooting 46.5% from the field, 32.5% from outside the arc, and 79.6% from the charity stripe, he averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 boards, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.6 blocks a game.
The 20-year-old was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year after leading the league in blocks and blocks per game.