Report: Houston has repeatedly shown trade interest in Suns star Devin Booker
The Houston Rockets have reportedly had long-standing trade interest in Suns star Devin Booker, and they hold numerous first-round assets from Phoenix in future draft cycles.
Thus, with the Suns (30-36) mired in mediocrity, it should come as no surprise that Houston seemingly inquired again about Booker at February's in-season trade deadline for the 2024-25 campaign.
But at least as of now, the Suns and the four-time NBA All-Star still aren't interested in discussing such an arrangement. Per Tim MacMahon of ESPN:
There are plenty of rival executives who would advise (owner) Mat Ishbia and the Suns to consider listening to offers, specifically from the Rockets, who control a significant chunk of Phoenix's future first-round capital (2025 swap rights, 2027 and 2029 picks, all unprotected). Sources have told ESPN that the Rockets have repeatedly expressed interest in Booker, a 28-year-old star who fits Houston's timeline, and that those conversations have been brief.
"Never happen," Ishbia said, interrupting the question. "It's silly. So here's what I'll tell you: I have Devin Booker in the prime. In order to win an NBA championship, you got to have a superstar. You got to have a great player."
Nor will Booker request a trade, regardless of how the Suns finish this season. Booker says he is fully committed to spending his entire career in Phoenix, sharing that vision with Ishbia and the Suns' lead executives, CEO Josh Bartelstein and general manager James Jones.
Elsewhere in the story, MacMahon reports that Houston did discuss the framework of a trade involving 36-year-old Kevin Durant. However, he cites sources from the Rockets as saying those discussions were initiated by the Suns. Durant ultimately stayed with Phoenix through the in-season deadline and is reportedly likely to be traded in the offseason.
Barring a sudden turnaround, the Suns are expected to make some major changes this summer. But not in Mat Ishbia’s all-in approach.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) March 14, 2025
“For better or worse, there’s no ‘trust the process’ to Mat Ishbia.”
ESPN story on the state of the Suns: https://t.co/YPs8w9IMpz
Because of Durant's advanced age, relative to Booker, Houston likely wouldn't bid anywhere near as aggressively due to a reduced time window alongside its "young core" of prospects like Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason — all 23 or younger.
Reading between the lines, it seems as if the standoff is this: The Suns would understandably like to have some or all of their future draft equity back, since the current setup makes it harder for them to retool and be compensated for any on-court struggles (via high first-round selections). However, they would prefer surrendering Durant and not Booker to make that happen.
Conversely, the Rockets are much willing to give up some or all of that draft equity for Booker, rather than Durant. But to this point, neither the Suns nor Booker has been willing to explore that.
So, if Houston (41-25, No. 5 in Western Conference standings) goes out early in the 2025 playoffs, would the Rockets soften their position by the offseason and explore the short-term upside of a Durant deal? Would more losses and perhaps missing the playoffs and play-in tournament altogether prompt the Suns and/or Booker soften their stance? Or, will all parties stay the course, at least for the time being?
From the perspective of the Rockets, there is some merit to simply keeping those first-round picks and using those eventual selections to fill out the roster. After all, those picks in the 2027 and 2029 draft cycles will come at a time in which Houston's current young core will likely be much more expensive — since they will have migrated from their relatively inexpensive, rookie-scale deals to the significant raises that usually accompany second contracts.
Under the NBA's new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), production from rookie-scale contracts could soon be more important, since there are more team-building restrictions on expensive, veteran-laden clubs.
Time will tell as to which direction the sides choose, but it's clear that Houston holds at least some underlying interest in Booker, so a deal shouldn't ever be ruled out. A 6-foot-6 shooting guard, Booker is averaging 25.9 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game this season.
Aside from future Suns draft equity, it hasn't been reported what Houston would be willing to offer aming players to get a Booker deal done. Booker is owed over $50 million in future seasons, so the Rockets would need to send out something in that ballpark from their current payroll to make a deal work under the NBA's salary matching rules for trades.
Both Phoenix and Houston are likely to operate above the league's salary cap in future years, so the matching rules should be in play.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Report: Houston still showing trade interest in Suns star Devin Booker
Topics
-
Suns' owner Ishbia says Devin Booker trade will 'Never happen,' Booker says he doesn't want one
Ishbia says a "pivot and reload" around Booker — meaning a trade of Durant — is possible this summer.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Suns' Devin Booker says 'vibes are low' for Mavericks since trading Luka Doncic to Lakers
Dallas stunned the NBA world by trading Doncic to Los Angeles last monthCBS Sports - 4d -
Suns' Mat Ishbia opens up on potential Kevin Durant trade, says moving Devin Booker would be 'silly'
Phoenix is still firmly in win-now mode, according to its ownerCBS Sports - 4h -
Kevin Durant trade rumors: Suns want three first-round picks, young player in return, per report
Durant was reportedly upset that the Suns included him in trade talks in FebruaryCBS Sports - 3d -
Report: Tennessee Titans one of three teams to express interest in a Tee Higgins trade
A report surfaced Friday that the Tennessee Titans may be one of three teams interested in a potential trade for wide receiver Tee HigginsYahoo Sports - 8h -
Argentina star admits he is flattered by Aston Villa interest
Villarreal and Argentina defender Juan Foyth has revealed he’s flattered by transfer interest from Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.Speaking about his future, Foyth made it clear that he remains ...Yahoo Sports - 8h -
'The Bondsman' star Kevin Bacon on the role he has no interest in resurrecting
In the L.A. Times studio at the 2025 SXSW Film and TV Festival, Bacon talked about 'The Bondsman,' 'Tremors' and his love for the Philadelphia Eagles.Los Angeles Times - Mar. 7 -
Celtics star Jaylen Brown on why he has no desire to rest ahead of the NBA playoffs
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has no interest in resting before the coming NBA playoffs despite lingering injury concerns.Yahoo Sports - 23h -
NBA Intel: Kevin Durant Trade Talks, Jimmy Butler, Warriors, Lakers, Suns, Timberwolves, Nets
The NBA trade deadline gave a glimpse into the upcoming potential trade market for Kevin Durant this summer, the Warriors new life following the Jimmy Butler acquisition, and more. Thus, HoopsHype ...Yahoo Sports - 16h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Atletico Madrid star ‘at 50-50 to face Barcelona’ amid injury battle
Diego Simeone needs to rally his Atletico Madrid team for their crunch weekend clash with Barcelona.Los Rojiblancos saw their UEFA Champions League dream ended in controversial style in midweek via ...Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Cooper Kupp and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed on a three-year, $45 million contract, AP source says
Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Cooper Kupp and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed on a three-year, $45 million contract, AP source says
Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Union Leader Athlete of the Month: Manchester's Grumblatt leaves records, new culture behind at Rivier
Mar. 14—Looking back, Lyric Grumblatt realizes that she was one-dimensional. She was a decent player while at Manchester Memorial High School but scored most of her points from beyond the 3-point ...Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Union Leader Athlete of the Month: Manchester's Grumblatt leaves records, new culture behind at Rivier
Mar. 14—Looking back, Lyric Grumblatt realizes that she was one-dimensional. She was a decent player while at Manchester Memorial High School but scored most of her points from beyond the 3-point ...Yahoo Sports - 9m
More in Sports
-
Atletico Madrid star ‘at 50-50 to face Barcelona’ amid injury battle
Diego Simeone needs to rally his Atletico Madrid team for their crunch weekend clash with Barcelona.Los Rojiblancos saw their UEFA Champions League dream ended in controversial style in midweek via ...Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Cooper Kupp and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed on a three-year, $45 million contract, AP source says
Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Cooper Kupp and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed on a three-year, $45 million contract, AP source says
Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Union Leader Athlete of the Month: Manchester's Grumblatt leaves records, new culture behind at Rivier
Mar. 14—Looking back, Lyric Grumblatt realizes that she was one-dimensional. She was a decent player while at Manchester Memorial High School but scored most of her points from beyond the 3-point ...Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Union Leader Athlete of the Month: Manchester's Grumblatt leaves records, new culture behind at Rivier
Mar. 14—Looking back, Lyric Grumblatt realizes that she was one-dimensional. She was a decent player while at Manchester Memorial High School but scored most of her points from beyond the 3-point ...Yahoo Sports - 9m