Tag: Devin Booker

Report: Rockets monitoring Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, Zion Williamson for future trades

Unlike Kevin Durant and James Harden, Houston would have trade interest in Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, and Zion Williamson. However, none are currently available.

Despite his interest in returning to Houston, a 34-year-old James Harden was deemed too old in the 2023 offseason to fit with the young core of the rebuilding Rockets. The same holds true with Kevin Durant in 2024, despite some recent reports to the contrary.

However, if the player was closer to age alignment with Houston’s young core, general manager Rafael Stone would love to add a proven All-Star to help mold his team into an eventual title contender.

So, who might that player be? None are believed to be available in the 2024 offseason, but Sam Amick and Anthony Slater of The Athletic dropped three names who could fit. They write:

So, who are the Rockets interested in as franchise centerpiece material? League sources say that Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell (who is 27 and widely expected to sign an extension with the Cavs soon), the Suns’ Devin Booker (also 27), and New Orleans’ Zion Williamson (23) would all fit the bill. The only problem, of course, is that none of them are expected to be available anytime soon.

With Booker specifically, it could help the cause that Houston now owns several future first-round draft assets from Phoenix.

But in 2024, the Suns are still trying to compete with a veteran-laden core. Thus, the time for Stone and the Rockets to have a talk with Phoenix about Booker and those picks is likely at least a year away.

In the meantime, the Rockets will continue allowing their young core to grow, all while gaining more information on those younger players. Then, in 2025 and beyond, all sides can re-evaluate.

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Blockbuster mock trade sees Spurs steal Devin Booker from Suns

In this mock trade, the San Antonio Spurs would land Devin Booker from the Phoenix Suns.

The San Antonio Spurs have a huge chance to improve their roster this summer. Victor Wembanyama is already one of the best players in the NBA, and if they want to, they could add some serious talent around him on the trade market. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report wrote a mock trade that would see them land Devin Booker from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham, Zach Collins, Blake Wesley, the fourth pick, the eighth pick, a 2025 first-round pick (via ATL), and a 2027 first-round pick (via ATL).

“Not to dump this otherwise fun idea into an ice bath from the start, but let’s get this disclaimer out of the way: There is almost no universe in which this deal goes down this summer,” Buckley wrote. “Booker isn’t looking for a trade, and the Suns aren’t planning to split up their stars. So, shift this hypothetical blockbuster even an inch away from the trade machine, and it probably runs out of oxygen. It still feels worth discussing, though, because Phoenix looks stuck, and San Antonio has the kind of asset collection that could eventually help a franchise un-stick itself.

“The names and picks heading to the Suns here almost don’t matter, because the Spurs have so much more to offer. If Booker was truly on the table, they might only make Victor Wembanyama off-limits. (Asking for Devin Vassell could torpedo the talks, though, or at least greatly reduce the amount of assets included with him.)

“Value-wise, this feels relatively close to what Booker is worth—and especially what he’d be worth to the Spurs. They need a primary creator to pair with Wembanyama, and Booker is one of the best in the business. He just authored his fourth career campaign with at least 25 points, five assists and two three-pointers per game. The list of players ever to match or exceed that feat is only eight names long. A Booker-Wembanyama pairing would be a vicious NBA Jam-style twosome, not to mention the foundation of a full-fledged contender for years to come. Again, the Spurs probably have no shot at Booker this summer, but it’d be worth a few phone calls to find out for sure before moving on to other primary playmaker pursuits.”

Putting Booker next to Wembanyama would create an elite duo.

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3 All-Stars floated as potential Spurs trade targets this summer

These three stars could be guys for the San Antonio Spurs to consider checking in on this offseason.

This offseason, the San Antonio Spurs need to stay on the lookout for potential trade opportunities, especially if they want to maximize Victor Wembanyama’s talent. Jacob Douglas of Pounding the Rock mentioned three names the Spurs should keep their eyes on as the summer goes on: Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, and Brandon Ingram.

“The Spurs could also acquire more creation via trade. Judging by the NBA playoff outcomes, there may be a few stars on the trade market this summer,” Douglas wrote. “Spurs fans are familiar with the Trae Young rumors. Despite his lack of size and defensive ability, he would immediately give the Spurs a player who can create an advantage offensively with his shooting and passing.

“Other names to watch for are Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell and Brandon Ingram, should they become available.”

It’s unclear if any of those players will become available, but if they do, the Spurs should be ready to strike.

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Spurs should ‘be waiting’ should Devin Booker asks out of Phoenix

Should the San Antonio Spurs be keeping an eye on Devin Booker?

As the San Antonio Spurs go on the hunt for a star to pair alongside Victor Wembanyama, they will undoubtedly be scouring the market for any players who become disgruntled. Tyler Watts of Air Alamo detailed a list of said players and Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker cracked the list. He noted that if Booker asks out, the Spurs “will be waiting.”

“Booker and Durant both played for Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich on Team USA at the 2021 Olympics where they won the gold medal,” Watts wrote. “Pop gifted the Suns stars some wine before their showdown this season. He would love to add either one of them to his team in San Antonio, but it will cost a hefty price.

“Suns fans should not panic quite yet, but building a contender won’t be easy. They must improve this offseason or their stars could look for exits. The Spurs will be waiting if things go off the rails in the Valley of the Sun.”

Following the Suns’ first-round exit (and a sweep, no less), there is more pressure than ever in Phoenix.

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Suns offseason primer: Eric Gordon, Frank Vogel and the Big Three

Trading for a trio of true superstars is not supposed to result in a limp 4-0 first-round playoff exit. But here we are. After Sunday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 2023-24 NBA season for the Phoenix Suns – who were supposed to be a …

Trading for a trio of true superstars is not supposed to result in a limp 4-0 first-round playoff exit. But here we are.

After Sunday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 2023-24 NBA season for the Phoenix Suns – who were supposed to be a “super team” – has come to an ugly end. Never once getting close to the presumed sum of their parts, disjointed performances, turnover problems, athleticism disadvantages and roster imbalances led to an early departure for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference.

Phoenix’s 49-33 regular season record, which was supposed to be below what they would prove to be capable of when the playoffs rolled around, turned out to be the high point. At no point was the season much of a fun one for their fanbase, not compared to what was imagined. And so now for the team’s brain trust comes the tough task of accepting failure for the squad they put together without admitting defeat for the idea behind it.

Not helped by an improved Western Conference, the Suns were nevertheless supposed to challenge for the NBA Finals when they added Bradley Beal in a needle-moving trade with the Washington Wizards last June, four months after adding the Hall-of-Famer Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets. Such moves were supposed to be so impactful as to generate discussions about fairness, equity and collusion, not about whether they could steal a game from the Wolves before skulking home.

Nevertheless, it has all happened now, and from the minute the season ends, it is time to start looking forward. Here follows a look at the Phoenix Suns’ roster and spending heading into the 2024 NBA offseason.

Former Kentucky legend meets with Alabama basketball team ahead of Final Four

Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team heard from a March Madness veteran who knows what it’s like to play in the Final Four.

Alabama basketball is heading into uncharted waters tonight as they will play in the program’s first-ever Final Four. The Crimson Tide beat the No. 1 seeded UNC Tar Heels in the Sweet 16 and the No. 6 Clemson Tigers in the Elite Eight here to earn a date with the No. 1 overall seed and defending national champion UConn Huskies. The Huskies have opened as an 11.5-point favorite with most experts predicting a blowout in favor of Dan Hurley’s squad, but this Alabama team seems relaxed.

Superstar for the Phoenix Suns and former Kentucky G Devin Booker stopped by to speak with the Tide in Phoenix this week. Booker was on the 38-0 Kentucky team that was widely regarded as one of the best teams ever before their shocking upset to Wisconsin in the Final Four. So, Booker knows better than anyone that anything can happen on this stage regardless of the David vs. Goliath story. Booker has gone on to be a First-Team All-Pro and 4x All-Star.

On top of sharing some words of encouragement for Nate Oats’s squad, Booker was kind enough to drop off some signature shoes for the ‘Bama players. Regardless of how the game goes, this has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the players and fans alike.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Devin Booker shows love to Victor Wembanyama after Spurs loss to Suns

After the San Antonio Spurs’ loss to the Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker showed love to Victor Wembanyama.

The San Antonio Spurs played their sixth home game in a row on Saturday night, welcoming the Phoenix Suns to the Frost Bank Center. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to recreate the early-season magic that saw them take down the Suns two games in a row, as Phoenix picked up a 131-106 victory in San Antonio.

Since it was a complete blowout win for the Suns, Victor Wembanyama didn’t end up playing a ton, as he only totaled 20:53 in the game. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker combined to score 57 points, as the Suns’ offense proved to be way too much for the Spurs to deal with.

After the game, Booker showed love to Wembanyama. (H/t Paul Garcia of Project Spurs)

“Just a force,” Booker said of Wembanyama. “I think my favorite part about him is his mindset. Nowhere near soft. He’s a competitor to the highest. You can tell after games that losing bothers him, and it’s not something that he’s gotten used to. I’ve watched all his mannerisms and watch how he carries himself, and he seems like a seasoned vet.”

Wembanyama is only 20 years old, but he already has the respect of a ton of stars around the league.

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Gregg Popovich gifted Kevin Durant, Devin Booker wine after Spurs-Suns

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich gifted bottles of wine to Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.

The San Antonio Spurs hosted the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night for the two team’s third meeting of the season. The Spurs got the best of the Suns twice in a row early on in the year, but since then, the two sides have had very different seasons. Phoenix got the best of San Antonio on Saturday, winning in blowout fashion by a score of 131-106.

After the game, head coach Gregg Popovich had some high praise for the Suns’ Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. He said that it’s tough to stop them when they’re all rolling. But that’s not the only thing he gave to two of them.

Popovich also gifted Durant and Booker, both of whom he coached on Team USA, bottles of wine after the game, per a post from Duane Rankin of AZ Central. (H/t Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report)

“We talked after the game. He left me a nice bottle of wine,” Booker said. “I know we drank one together after we won gold. We have some incredible memories even though it was a short amount of time in Japan.”

Popovich’s impact on the NBA stretches far beyond the Spurs organization.

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Gregg Popovish praises Suns star trio after Spurs loss

After the San Antonio Spurs’ loss to the Phoenix Suns, Gregg Popovich praised Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.

The San Antonio Spurs welcomed the Phoenix Suns to town on Saturday night for their sixth home game in a row in the midst of a seven-game homestand. They were hoping to snap a two-game losing streak against a Suns squad whom they had already beaten twice this year – in back-to-back games at the very start of the season.

Unfortunately, this time around didn’t yield the same results. The Spurs lost to the Suns by a score of 131-106, as the Suns’ Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal showed out. They were too much for the Spurs to handle.

After the game, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich showed love to the trio of stars. (H/t ESPN)

“I thought we had a little more contact and physicality in the second half, but you’re not going to stop Book and K.D. from doing what they’re doing and Bradley’s healthy now,” Popovich said. “That’s a pretty tough trio. Our guys did everything they could, and you move on.”

Booker finished the game with 32 points, Durant had 25, and Beal had 13.

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Devin Booker’s ankle injury might condemn the Suns to the play-in tournament

This is NOT good for the Suns.

Welcome to Layup Lines, For the Win’s basketball newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Have feedback for the Layup Lines Crew? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey. Now, here’s Bryan Kalbrosky.

Devin Booker suffered an ankle injury and the timing is truly horrendous.

According to Shams Charania, the Phoenix Suns star guard will miss “at least” the next seven to ten days. During that time, the team will have an uphill battle.

They will face the Nuggets on the road on March 5, which is never easy. Next up is a potentially winnable game against the Raptors (March 7) before the challenge intensifies against the Celtics (March 9) at home. They then travel to play the Cavaliers (March 11) and then another game against the Celtics (March 14).

Those could easily result in four out of five losses as Denver, Cleveland and Boston are three of the most intimidating teams in the league. But even when Booker returns, it’s not going to get any less difficult.

Phoenix has the most difficult remaining strength of schedule in the league this season, per Tankathon and Basketball-Reference. Here is more analysis from John Schuhmann (via NBA.com):

“The Suns have the league’s toughest schedule in regard to cumulative opponent winning percentage and the most remaining games (17) against teams that enter March with winning records, currently 16-16 within that group. Thirteen of those 17 are against the seven teams with better records than they have, and they’re just 2-5 against those seven teams thus far.”

The Suns have played pretty well with Booker on the floor this season, via PBPStats, outscoring opponents by 5.7 points per 100 possession. But they are getting outscored by 2.3 points per 100 when he is off the court.

Booker’s impact is significant and his on-off swing currently ranks in the 89th percentile among all players, according to Cleaning the Glass.

Even in the minutes with his co-stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal but no Booker so far this season, Phoenix has gotten outscored by 6.7 points per 100 possessions.

All things considered, despite the fact they have the third-most expensive payroll in the league, matters look fairly bleak for the Suns right now.

There is a 77.2 percent chance that Phoenix makes the play-in tournament, according to dunksandthrees.com. Projections from Basketball-Reference are even higher, slating the likelihood at 81.2 percent.

That isn’t great considering how many future assets the front office has given up to make themselves a win-now contender, especially as Durant gets older at 35 years old.

With all that in mind, however, the star-driven Suns are still not a team that many would like to face in the opening rounds of the playoffs in the Western Conference.

Caitlin Clark makes history

We have had so much incredible Caitlin Clark content on our site over the last few days. After the Iowa star broke the Division I college basketball all-time scoring record, let’s review some of our coverage!

  1. Caitlin Clark had the classiest quote reminding everyone that she and her Iowa teammates are human.
  2. This wild Caitlin Clark stat proves just how unbelievable her 3-point shooting range is.
  3. Nike’s Caitlin Clark commercial right after her record-breaking points was the perfect tribute.
  4. Caitlin Clark became the NCAA all-time scoring leader in the most unlikely way possible
  5. Caitlin Clark was so giddy after a surprise meeting with her childhood idol Maya Moore

Shootaround

— Mics caught how Nikola Jokic hilariously teased LeBron James before he scored 40,000 points

— HoopsHype reviewed the funniest moments of Inside the NBA history

— Should the Sixers continue to start Kyle Lowry alongside Tyrese Maxey?

— Western Michigan completed the most unbelievable cross-court bounce pass to top Ball State at the buzzer