The Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic are two teams who must make important choices this NBA offseason leading to many trade rumors for both teams. However, these choices are for different reasons as the Suns did not win a playoff game despite a high payroll led by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
The Magic roster has many weaknesses, but the young team pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round of the NBA playoffs. As for the Suns, Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd wondered if it is time to move on from Devin Booker.
Co-host Jason Timpf suggested that Orlando could be a potential destination for Booker due to the team’s need for shooting and another shot creator. What would a potential Magic trade package look like for Booker? Timpf believes the Suns could acquire Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter and Jonathan Isaac plus picks for the four-time All-Star.
Just to note, the Suns would need to add some salary to this deal for it to work under the cap. Let’s see why a major Booker deal could be feasible for both the Magic and Suns.
Suns Rumors: Will Phoenix Consider a Major Trade for Devin Booker?
Magic president Jeff Weltman faces two potential paths this offseason. Orlando could add gradual pieces to build around Banchero, Suggs, and Franz Wagner.
The Magic could also be aggressive and try to acquire another star like Booker through the trade market. This path would require Orlando to part with parts of their young core.
“I would call Orlando, and I’d be like, ‘Hey, you got Paolo Banchero, but you just lost a series to the Cavs because nobody can create a shot other than Paolo and no one can make jumpers. So, you need somebody that can come in and just be like a skill guard next to Paolo Banchero,'” Timpf explained during a May 5, 2024 edition of “The Colin Cowherd Podcast.”
“And so, I’d call them, and I’d be like I want Jalen Suggs. I want Jonathan Isaac, and I want Wendell Carter Jr. That’s a lot. That is a haul. Those are three really good young players,” Timpf added.
“… By the way, you might be able to even coax Orlando into throwing you a draft pick or two in that deal. Who knows, depending on how that conversation would go.”
Magic Rumors: Orlando Could Be a Potential Landing Spot in Trade for Suns Star Devin Booker
This may be a haul for the Suns, but the Magic would have to seriously consider this potential major trade. Suggs would be the one player that would make Orlando think twice.
The former top-five pick has become the Magic’s heartbeat and best perimeter defender. Suggs’ impact on the Magic goes beyond the stat sheet but consider these numbers from Booker. The star guard averaged 27.1 points, 6.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 36.4% from long range in 68 starts this season.
This deal would represent a significant financial commitment for Orlando, both now and in the future. Booker is set to begin a four-year, $221 million supermax deal next season which is slated to run through 2027-28. The star would have a $49.3 million cap hit next season.
Teams such as the New York Knicks have successfully built their team around one star (Jalen Brunson) and a group of role players. Despite the Magic's strong defense, their offense struggled a lot in the postseason.
The Magic might want to solve this problem by signing free agents instead of trading away their assets. However, none of the free agents available are as good as players like Booker. It's not clear yet whether the Suns will consider trading Booker or Durant this offseason.
