Suns' Devin Booker Named Trade Target for Eastern Conference Contender

Devin Booker has been no stranger to being subject to trade conversations over the course of his 11-year career with the Phoenix Suns.

The two-year extension that the Suns' all-time leading scorer signed last summer seemingly confirmed that his long-term future remains in Phoenix, however whispers remain that the two sides should consider seeking out a fresh start for the sake of the other.

Enter the Detroit Pistons, who were the team that Booker grew up as a fan of as a Michigan native. The Pistons showed exponential growth last season, winning 62 games in a leap season that few saw coming. 

However, the franchise's limitations were realized when they fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The team simply needs more firepower on the perimeter, a secondary playmaker to Cade Cunningham, and a more diverse shotmaking profile as a whole roster.

Enter Booker, who would be an ideal fit alongside Cunningham, while also fixing other weaknesses that plagued Detroit during an uneven playoff run.

Should Phoenix consider this possibility in the event that the upcoming season goes south? It remains a complex conversation, as Booker means so much to the city that a trade would be crushing to a vast majority of the fanbase, but it would be challenging to say no to a Detroit offer that could include players such as Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland, and Ebuka Okorie.

These youthful players would compliment talents that Phoenix has already accrued that include Khaman Maluach and Koa Peat, although it can be argued that those players may not possess high enough ceilings to justify handing out lucrative contract extensions to in the future, which brings into question if the Pistons can even offer enough to land Booker.

Booker's upcoming bump in contract value, the fact that he is set to turn 30 at the end of October, and the opinion that he has regressed according to some are all reasons why Phoenix continues to get pushed to make a move now before the franchise player's value dips even more. 

However, Suns fans should feel confident that Brian Gregory is doing a quality job as a steward - he is positioning the franchise to compete at the moment while ultimately crafting a master plan that has potential to take shape while Booker is still in his prime.

No, the Suns should not consider moving Booker elsewhere, as there is a clear method to the madness of the franchise at the moment. The five-time All-Star must be around to see Phoenix's first NBA title through.