The Suns Someone suggests trading Devin Booker to a Western Conference playoff team because the current team is at risk of being eliminated from the 2024 NBA Playoffs early. The team led by Frank Vogel lost the first two games of their first-round series to the Timberwolves on April 23, and are close to being eliminated with two more losses.
The potential early exit may lead the team's front office to make significant changes to the roster in the off-season. One of these changes could be the bold decision to break up the trio of star players Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
Bill Simmons from The Ringer has suggested a trade that involves sending Booker to the Pelicans in exchange for veteran guard CJ McCollum, up-and-coming 3&D star Trey Murphy III and two future first-round picks.
On “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Simmons explained why Murphy, who is currently seen as a role player in the league, could develop into an All-Star player with more experience in playoff situations.
An Interesting Haul for Suns
Although neither McCollum nor Murphy are perennial All-Stars like Booker, the pair could complement Durant, Beal & Co very well.
Murphy’s ability to play at least four positions and make a high number of successful three-pointers could address many of Phoenix’s problems. He averaged 14.8 points and 4.9 rebounds and made 3 three-pointers per game in the 2023-24 season. Only seven players in the league made more three-pointers per game than him. The 23-year-old is expected to improve with each passing year and could turn out to be a steal for Phoenix.
As for McCollum, he would provide veteran leadership and the much-needed calming influence in the Suns offense.
Many people have pointed out that the Suns’ lack of a point guard was the reason for their struggles in the 2023-24 season.
“They never addressed the point guard situation, and they needed another big body,” Charles Barkley said about the Suns on “Inside the NBA” on TNT on April 23. “That’s one of the things we talked about at the trade deadline. They need to have those three guys [Durant, Beal, and Booker] finishing instead of initiating their offense, and they play at a faster pace.”
Although McCollum is not a typical floor general, he does have point guard skills and could organize the offense for Durant & Co.
Other Suns Trade Options Limited
Unless the Suns decide to trade Kevin Durant, their chances of significantly improving the roster are limited. Furthermore, Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he has to agree to a trade to a specific team. While Jusuf Nurkic has a cap-friendly $37.5 million and two years left on his deal, his trade value is limited.
The Suns also do not have any tradeable first-round picks to compete for Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell or any of the other star guards expected to become available in the 2024 offseason.
Therefore, unless Beal requests a trade to a specific team, the Suns are likely to keep the same roster for the 2024-25 season. This does not bode well for the championship expectations of a team that has one of the highest payrolls in the league.
