Offseason trade proposal sends Devin Booker to Spurs, Kevin Durant to Rockets

One NBA analyst proposed that the San Antonio Spurs acquire Devin Booker and the Houston Rockets acquire Kevin Durant this offseason. 

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report proposed the following NBA trade idea between the Spurs, Rockets, Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets:

Spurs get: Devin Booker, Josh Okogie, Jae’Sean Tate, Jeff Green, $5 million trade exception (Malaki Branham)

Rockets get: Kevin Durant

Suns get: Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore, Aaron Holiday, 2025 Suns own first-rounder (from Rockets), 2025 unprotected first-rounder (from Spurs), 2027 protected Miami Heat first-rounder (from Hornets), 2029 protected first-rounder (from Spurs), $12.7 million trade exception (Devin Booker)

Hornets get: Malaki Branham, Jock Landale, 2025 Atlanta Hawks first-rounder (from Spurs)

“Many around the league expect Durant to demand a trade this offseason as he heads into the final year of his contract at $54.7 million,” Pincus wrote. “But eyes are also on Booker, who still has $171.2 million left on his contract through 2027-28. He may not have as much leverage as Durant, but if Booker decides to request a trade, could Phoenix go for a hard reset? Since the Suns don’t have control of their own first-round pick next year, can they bring in a lot of young talent in exchange for their two biggest stars?”

Durant is averaging 26.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Suns this season while shooting 52.7% from the field, 43.1% from beyond the arc and 83.9% from the free-throw line. 

A two-time Finals MVP, Durant will make $54.7 million next season in the final year of his contract.

Booker is averaging 25.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists for Phoenix this season while shooting 45.3% overall, 34.0% from 3 and 89.5% from the foul line. 

A four-time All-Star, Booker will make $53.1 million next season. He has spent his entire NBA career with the Suns. 

“The trade would be agreed to before the June draft but executed on July 6, after the NBA’s annual moratorium,” Pincus wrote. “The 2027 Miami first-rounder (via the Hornets) is lottery-protected in 2027. If it doesn’t convey in 2027, it would be unprotected in 2028. The 2029 San Antonio first-rounder would be top-10 protected. It would otherwise convey as a 2029 second-rounder. The Spurs trigger a first-apron hard cap in the deal. Booker can earn up to $17.1 million via a 10 percent trade bonus, but in pushing for his exit from the Suns, he’d agree to waive it. If not, the Spurs could end up over the luxury tax but under the first apron.

“Houston triggers a second-apron hard cap. Green and Tate would be sign-and-traded from the Rockets to San Antonio for $7.7 million each. Their deals would be three years long, but only the first seasons would be fully guaranteed. The Rockets pick up their $4.9 million team option on Aaron Holiday for 2025-26 and fully guarantee Landale’s salary before the deal. The Hornets also guarantee Okogie’s salary, triggering a first-apron hard cap to acquire Branham and Landale.”