Blockbuster NBA Trade Proposal Sends Suns’ Devin Booker To Mavericks

Andre Snellings of ESPN proposed that the Dallas Mavericks trade the first pick in this year’s draft to the Phoenix Suns for Devin Booker. 

This blockbuster trade idea would pair Booker with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. 

Dallas Mavericks get: Devin Booker, 2025 first-rounder (No. 29), 2028 first-rounder (least favorable of own, Knicks and Wizards), 2029 first-round pick swap (least favorable of Cavs, Timberwolves and Jazz)

Phoenix Suns get: 2025 No. 1 pick, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin

The Mavericks and Suns missed the playoffs this year. Dallas traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February for Davis and Max Christie. 

Irving will miss a lot of time next season recovering from his left ACL tear, so the Mavericks could benefit from adding an elite scorer and playmaker like Booker, who was teammates with Davis last summer on Team USA. 

“Mavericks, as constructed, have elite big-man depth and a perennial All-Star point guard in Irving but could use another dynamic perimeter presence on the wing,” Snellings wrote. “Dallas will need an elite playmaker who can lead the team while Irving is out, but play next to him when he returns.

“Enter Booker, who was a first-team All-NBA shooting guard in 2021-22, and is squarely in his prime at 28 years old. A healthy core of Davis, Irving and Booker would be able to contend for championships immediately, and Booker would remain a centerpiece even as Davis and Irving start to age out of their primes. Add on that Dallas also gets some draft considerations in this deal.”

Booker appeared in 75 games this season. He averaged 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 46.1% from the field, 33.2% from beyond the arc and 89.4% from the free-throw line. 

A four-time All-Star, Booker has scored the most points in Phoenix franchise history. He has career averages of 24.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists. 

The Suns are expected to trade Kevin Durant this offseason. If they trade Booker to the Mavericks for the first pick, Phoenix can draft Duke’s Cooper Flagg and build around the youngster for the next decade. 

“For the Suns, this offseason has the feel of a franchise that’s ready to change everything and rebuild,” Snellings wrote. “Their attempt to win with a team featuring three pure scorers without enough supporting infrastructure didn’t yield dividends, their salary cap situation is untenable and they have already traded away several future draft assets.”