A Blockbuster Devin Booker Trade Idea That Actually Makes Sense

The 2025-26 Phoenix Suns returned to respectability with 45 wins, fighting through two play-in games before falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a quick sweep. Through 10 games this season, the Suns (4-6) have yet to click, as the competition in the Western Conference is unforgiving.

Unless the Suns can fix their porous defense and start racking up wins, it may be time for the franchise to explore trading five-time All-Star Devin Booker. Now in his 12th season, Booker remains a prolific 25.1-point scorer, but he's carrying a sizable four-year, $252.6 million contract (with a player option before the 2029-30 season).

The Atlanta Hawks stand out as a viable partner in this theoretical trade concept.

Full Trade Details

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The Phoenix Suns receive: CJ McCollum, Kingston Flemings, Dorian Finney-Smith, Corey Kispert, protected 2028 first-rounder

The Atlanta Hawks receive: Devin Booker

Why the Phoenix Suns Do It

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Phoenix added two years to Booker's deal in July 2025, rewarding its best player with another projected $134.5 million—the exact figure won't be decided until the 2028-29 salary cap is set. The franchise may not regret the loyalty; it may just find its way out of paying for it.

The Suns would seek a greater pick haul than the one included in this deal, which would be top-5 protected for three years before converting into a pair of second-rounders (New York Knicks in 2030, Sacramento Kings in 2033). The two teams can hammer out those details. Phoenix's challenge is the heft of Booker's deal, a number large enough to turn off most potential suitors.

The key player coming back from the Hawks is Flemings, their No. 8 overall selection in June. The 6'3" 19-year-old would fill the significant point-guard vacancy on the Suns. He's a willing defender and is already productive, averaging 8.5 points and 4.4 assists in 21.9 minutes per game. Flemings doesn't shoot the three often (1.9 attempts) but has converted 42.9 percent through his first 11 games.

The pivot away from Booker doesn't represent tanking, with veteran scorer McCollum taking his place. McCollum also brings point-guard skills to Phoenix. Kispert isn't a regular part of Atlanta's rotation, but he's a capable wing shooter.

The Suns would need to waive or trade a couple of players to open roster space for the deal, possibly Jamaree Bouyea and Rasheer Fleming. A trade exception generated for Booker is negligible at under $600,000.

Why the Atlanta Hawks Do It

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The Hawks returned to the postseason after a two-year absence, tied with the Toronto Raptors for the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference (46-36). After taking a surprising 2-1 lead over the New York Knicks, the Hawks dropped the next three to the eventual champions.

The team is off to a strong start this year, too, with its egalitarian style of play. Power forward Jalen Johnson leads Atlanta in assists at 7.2 per game. Nickeil Alexander-Walker leads the team in scoring at 21.9 points per game. The combination should work for the regular season, but Booker ups the stakes.

When Atlanta needed a big bucket against the Knicks, McCollum was the go-to playoff shotmaker. Booker, 30, is five years younger and is presently a more reliable scorer. The trio of Johnson, Alexander-Walker, and Booker would be difficult for any postseason opponent. With the defense of Dyson Daniels and Lu Dort, Onyeka Okongwu at center, plus Aaron Wiggins and Jock Landale off the bench, the Hawks would be an interesting contender in the East.

Atlanta might be willing to trade more draft capital to keep Flemings out of the deal, but that would mean a luxury-tax bill for a franchise that historically minds its spending. Subbing in Wiggins could be a viable alternative for the Hawks. Including Landale is another path, though that would thin out a center rotation that already needs help.

Another possibility is a big on the buyout market, though the Hawks may need to wait to execute this deal with the Suns until the Feb. 11 trade deadline, pausing to fill their 13th and 14th roster spots for a couple of weeks to avoid the tax.

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