In the unlikely event that the Phoenix Suns must trade one of their three players in order to increase their chances of winning the title, at least one NBA executive does not think the team’s future is completely hopeless.
After asking a number of experts across the league for their thoughts, Fox Sports’ Ric Bucher reported that “the Suns aren’t as hamstrung as some portrayed them.”
An Eastern Conference team’s executive presented their projections for the markets for Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant.
The official stated, “KD probably gets you the Jrue Holiday Package,” alluding to the return of Malcolm Brogdon to the Portland Trail Blazers, Robert Williams, the Golden State Warriors’ 2024 first-round selection, and an unprotected first-round pick in 2029. “Booker receives the mortgage and the franchise to buy him. That is, you would give up everything you would ever own to have him. You would have to give up several selections to get rid of Beal.”
Bucher tried to paint a bright picture of Phoenix’s immediate future, but if anything, the executive’s appraisal shows how difficult it will be for the Suns to make last-minute adjustments.
It is impossible to compare the Holiday deal to a possible Durant swap without acknowledging that concerns about Brogdon and Williams’ durability before their moves to Portland. For the former, it derailed a summer trade to the Los Angeles Clippers before he signed a contract with the Blazers.
Brogdon and Williams combined to play in 45 games this season, confirming the worries.
Although Bucher defined the two veterans as “two quality role players,” it’s unclear exactly what kind of role players the Suns would gain from them.
If we’re basing this on historical data, however, the fictitious Booker trade most likely elevates Phoenix’s short-term ceiling less than it would for the future. Not to add, based on what the Suns gave up for Durant and Beal, it appears like the NBA trade market has leveled off a little.
A major contributing element will also be the more restrictive collective bargaining agreement, since signing Booker will require paying the substantial salary he begins to want in 2024–2025. Despite his great contributions on the court, some general managers might be leery of pursuing the four-time All-Star because he is owed $61.2 million in 2027–28.
And then there’s Beal, who is just a liability. His worth has only decreased since the Washington Wizards traded him to Phoenix for fifty cents on the dollar. Selling his $251 million, five-year contract—which still has a no-trade clause—might be so expensive that it would be wiser to keep him on the team.
Mat Ishbia, the majority governor, thinks that despite the Suns’ first-round sweep and lack of roster flexibility going forward, many opposing teams would want to trade places with them. That is undoubtedly a minority viewpoint.