Proposed Blockbuster Trade Sends Devin Booker To Jazz, John Collins, Collin Sexton To Suns

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Jazz and Suns:

The Deal: Devin Booker for John Collins, Collin Sexton, a 2025 first-round pick (via Cleveland), a 2026 first-round pick (via Minnesota or Cleveland), a 2027 first-round pick (via Los Angeles), a 2028 first-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick (via Minnesota)

Despite having Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Suns were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. 

One of the best scorers in the NBA, Booker averaged 27.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.9 assists this season while shooting 49.2% from the field, 36.4% from beyond the arc and 88.6% from the free-throw line. 

“For the Utah Jazz, there’s really not much to explain. They would still have picks in each of the years in which they’re sending one out,” Bailey wrote. “And Booker would qualify as the kind of big-game hunting acquisition that Jazz CEO Danny Ainge talked about earlier this month. If they could pool together a few more of the assets they’ve built up over the last couple years to add a star big man, this summer could look a little like 2007, when Ainge added Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to Paul Pierce with the Boston Celtics.

“Lauri Markkanen is obviously Pierce in this analogy, and he’s proved good enough to be a core piece for a contender, which is exactly what Utah would be with him, Booker and one more star.”

Booker will make $49.4 million next season. The four-time All-Star signed a four-year, $221 million extension with the Suns in July 2022. 

The Suns drafted Booker with the 13th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Booker has career averages of 24.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He scored 70 points against the Boston Celtics during the 2016-17 season. 

The Jazz could make some serious noise in the West with Booker and Markkanen leading the way. It will be interesting to see what the Suns do this summer.