Before we dive in, let’s start with one asterisk: Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia and Devin Booker have given every indication that they do not want to part ways with one another in an offseason where literally everything else appears to be on the table.
The other asterisk: While Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison did trade generational talent Luka Doncic and admit he was surprised by the negative fan reaction, all indications point to the Mavs holding firm to select Cooper Flagg after lucking into the No. 1 pick.
But if the Suns were to consider whether their franchise face might sour on the team’s direction if a multi-year rebuild is needed — and if Dallas wants to make a run at a title next season with three stars — ESPN’s Andre Snellings presents Phoenix as one of three potential trade fits involving the top overall pick.
Dallas Mavericks get: Devin Booker, 2025 first-rounder (No. 29), 2028 first-rounder (least favorable of own, Knicks and Wizards), 2029 first-round pick swap (least favorable of Cavs, Timberwolves and Jazz)
Phoenix Suns get: 2025 No. 1 pick, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin
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Snellings admits that moving Kevin Durant with a trade prior to this suggestion would give the Suns additional assets to land Flagg.
The calculus would also have to mean Dallas thinks pairing Booker with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis is a better fit than Flagg.
And that is arguable, even if it would plug in Booker as the No. 1 option until Irving potentially returns at the end of the season as he recovers from an ACL injury.
The Mavericks likely do need more offensive punch than standing pat, even if Irving comes back at close to 100%. But if Flagg is truly a generational talent, then he should provide a pretty good No. 3 option off the bat.
The Davis-for-Doncic trade in February did speed up the urgency in Dallas to compete this coming season, and an Irving-Booker combination is indeed more firepower on paper.
For Phoenix, a theoretical deal is about resetting and getting back a player who is widely regarded as the first generational talent since the 2023 draft’s Victor Wembanyama selection. It means the Suns would have to believe Flagg has the ability to become a true No. 1 scoring option and do more than reach his profile as an ultra role player.
For the Suns, this offseason has the feel of a franchise that’s ready to change everything and rebuild. Their attempt to win with a team featuring three pure scorers without enough supporting infrastructure didn’t yield dividends, their salary cap situation is untenable and they have already traded away several future draft assets.
There are more complicated avenues out of cap hell without trading Booker in Phoenix.
Snellings’ piece is certainly a stretch, considering neither insiders nor armchair analysts would bet on the Mavericks trading the Flagg selection. It’s lucky enough that Dallas got that top pick in the first place.
But sure: It’s a thought exercise on what slim odds of a trade might actually make the Suns think twice about moving on from their all-time leading scorer, who happens to be in his prime.
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