Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker could be on the move this offseason. After the Suns’ disappointing first-round sweep from the Minnesota Timberwolves, speculation has circulated about where Booker will play next season. Although the Suns reportedly plan on keeping Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal together, the Kentucky alum is still appearing in trade rumors. Initially, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith linked Booker to the New York Knicks, saying “that brother wanna be in New York.” Now, it appears two more teams have entered the Booker sweepstakes–the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.
According to Ric Bucher of Fox Sports, an Eastern Conference exec believes the Spurs and the Thunder are “candidates” to make an attempt to land Booker.
A second Eastern Conference executive pointed to the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder as other candidates who could see Booker as an ideal fit.
Furthermore, the exec said both teams have “the assets to get him.”
“San Antonio has the assets to get him,” he said. “So does Oklahoma City. And it’s really the only way Phoenix can change course.”
During the regular season, Booker averaged 27.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game en route to his fourth career All-Star selection. Additionally, he shot 49.2% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc.
NBA Exec Links Devin Booker to Two Western Conference Teams
How Devin Booker Could Boost the San Antonio Spurs
Booker’s fit in San Antonio is obvious. Acquiring him gives likely Rookie of the Year winner Victor Wembanyama a new star player to play alongside. Additionally, although he is traditionally a shooting guard, Booker has experience playing point guard, which is one of the Spurs’ biggest needs they must address this summer. Furthermore, during the 2023-24 season, the Spurs shot 34.7% from the three-point line. This was the second-worst mark in the NBA, only behind the Memphis Grizzlies. Adding a solidified sharpshooter like Booker would improve this aspect of their game and open up a new side of their offense.
After playing San Antonio in March, Booker spoke highly of Wembanyama, calling him “a competitor to the highest.”
“Just a force. I think my favorite part about him is his mindset. Nowhere near soft. he’s a competitor to the highest. You can tell after games that losing bothers him, and it’s mot [sic] something that he’s gotten used to. I’ve watched all his mannerisms and watch how he carries himself, and he seems like a seasoned vet.”
Adding Booker Would Bump the Oklahoma City Thunder Up Another Level
The Thunder ended the regular season as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Coach of the Year winner Mark Daigneault, the Thunder caught many by surprise. Currently, as they prepare for their second-round playoff matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City looks nearly unstoppable. Pairing Booker with Gilgeous-Alexander would likely make them the best backcourt in the NBA. While it is unlikely they would want to drastically shake up their core, it is still an intriguing idea for the team to acquire another superstar in Booker.
