Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia firmly shut down the Houston Rockets and other competing teams aiming to acquire his franchise star Devin Booker following their unsatisfactory season.
“Ishbia informed ESPN that a trade involving Booker will ‘never happen.'” “That’s foolish.” Here’s what I’ll say: I have Devin Booker at his peak. To secure an NBA championship, you need to possess a superstar. “You need to have an excellent player.”
Booker is in the initial year of his four-year, $224 million supermax contract extension.
As per the ESPN report, the Rockets “have consistently shown interest in Booker, a 28-year-old star aligning with Houston’s timeline, and these discussions have been short.”
The Rockets obtained a portion of Phoenix’s future first-round draft assets (2025 swap rights, 2027 and 2029 picks, all unrestricted) in a picks-focused transaction with the Brooklyn Nets, who reclaimed their selections from the James Harden trade to initiate a rebuild, considering Booker.
Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic, referencing sources, reported that the Suns “might be able to acquire four first-round picks for Booker and a developing star in his third or fourth year” if they decide to make him available.
However, Ishbia, as per the ESPN report, stated that the Suns will retain Booker and plan to “pivot and rebuild” around him during the offseason.
They will make another attempt during the offseason since Ishbia was offended by the idea that he should dismantle the Suns and start over.
“I find it surprising that other individuals, other fans, genuinely appreciate the rebuilding process,” Ishbia stated to ESPN. “Such as, ‘Oh, let’s reconstruct it.'” Are you out of your mind?! Do you really believe I will spend seven years attempting to reach it? Are you pleased with the 2030 draft picks that we have acquired? I would like to attempt to watch the game today. I desire for us to
Even if this doesn’t succeed, guess what? Perhaps next year we won’t perform as well, but we’ll make another attempt. In the upcoming chance we receive, we will aim to compete and achieve victory. And it will function. We will secure championships here in Phoenix. It may not happen this year, but I assure you that we will accomplish it. “And that is our primary focus.”
Suns Owner Remains Determined About the Season
Ishbia acquired the Suns franchise in 2022, taking over Booker, the team’s 13th overall selection in 2015.
Booker experienced five years of disappointing seasons before finally succeeding in the playoffs and guiding the Suns to the NBA Finals in the 2020-21 season. He is the last player still on
Even with funding the priciest lineup featuring Booker, Durant, and Beal, Ishbia is faced with the prospect of yet another squandered season.
The Suns are 1.5 games away from the play-in group with 15 games remaining, facing the hardest schedule left according to Tankathon. However, the wave of injuries affecting the current No. 10 Dallas Mavericks (33-35) provides the 31-36 Suns with a glimmer of hope to disrupt the playoff celebration.
And if they make it, Ishbia is optimistic about their prospects.
“I believe that if we reach the playoffs, we won’t be an easy opponent for anyone,” Ishbia shared with ESPN.