Despite fielding a star-studded roster headlined by Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Phoenix Suns saw their championship hopes dashed in the 2024 playoffs thanks to a sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
Perhaps major changes are coming in the offseason, although Suns owner Mat Ishbia seems adamant that his squad is still in a great position even after the early playoff exit.
It remains to be seen how the front office plans on changing up or tweaking the roster. However, there has already been speculation on whether Booker has played his last contest in a Suns uniform.
An Eastern Conference executive has even suggested two possible landing spots for the former All-NBA First-Team selection: the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
“San Antonio has the assets to get him,” the executive said. “So does Oklahoma City. And it’s really the only way Phoenix can change course.”
Moving on from Booker seems counterintuitive for the Suns, especially since he is widely regarded as the franchise cornerstone. In addition, he was arguably the team’s best player during its NBA Finals run in the 2020-21 season.
But if Phoenix decides to restock its nearly empty cupboard of draft assets, it could get back a lot in return in a potential Booker trade.
A move to either the Spurs or Thunder also wouldn’t be the worst outcome for the star shooting guard.
Going to San Antonio would enable the opportunity to play with Victor Wembanyama, the presumptive 2024 Rookie of the Year and someone many pundits see as a future MVP. It would also mark a reunion for Booker and Gregg Popovich, who coached the Suns star at the 2020 Olympics.
On the other hand, heading to Oklahoma City would provide the four-time All-Star with the chance to form a promising backcourt with MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder’s roster also seems better constructed than Phoenix’s, as evidenced by the young squad’s run to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Only time will tell if Booker remains with the Suns beyond this season, although there is also the possibility that the organization trades Durant instead.
However, as it stands, the front office looks like it wants to run it back with the same core.
