The Houston Rockets (36-22) have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024-25 season, establishing themselves as a defensive powerhouse and a team that competes every night as a perennial playoff team. Behind the leadership of Ime Udoka, their young core has one of the league’s best defensive ratings (5th in OPPG, 3rd in Defensive Rating).
Alperen Sengun (19.1 PPG, 10.5 RPG) has taken a leap to make his first All-Star selection, Amen Thompson continues to grow into an elite two-way forward, and Jalen Green (21.6 PPG) provides steady offense and on-ball ability. But for all their strengths, one glaring weakness remains—they lack a true go-to scorer who can take over in critical moments and carry an offense when everything else breaks down.
That’s why this offseason, the Rockets should go all-in on Devin Booker. The Rockets have made their interest known in Booker because the 28-year-old fits the team’s immediate plans. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have been struggling with roster construction issues, and after another disappointing season where their title hopes are falling apart (27-31), it’s not far-fetched to think Booker could be moved this summer.
A move to Houston would give Booker the chance to be the clear No. 1 option again while leading a young, hungry team on the rise. Meanwhile, the Rockets would finally land the elite scorer they desperately need to elevate them from a scrappy playoff team to a legitimate contender. The pieces are there—now it’s about executing the master plan to bring Booker to Houston and here is the breakdown of this major trade idea.
Potential Trade Details
Houston Rockets Receive: Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns Receive: Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard, 2025 First-Round Pick (OKC/PHX), 2029 First-Round Pick (DAL/PHX)
Houston Rockets Finally Acquire Their Go-To Star
The Rockets have built a tough, defensive-minded squad, but they desperately need a superstar who can create his own shot, take over late in games, and elevate the team’s offensive ceiling. Devin Booker is that guy.
This season, Booker has been as lethal as ever, averaging around 26.2 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game in a combo-guard role. His ability to take over in crunch time would instantly make Houston a legitimate threat in the Western Conference. Pairing him with Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, and Fred VanVleet gives the Rockets a potent mix of scoring, playmaking, and defensive versatility.
Jalen Green and Devin Booker are very similar in terms of their hunger to score, but Booker is more than capable of handling the ball and occupying the point guard spot while the former stays at shooting guard. In terms of athleticism, this duo would be tough to handle.
Beyond just stats, Booker brings championship-level experience. He’s been to the Finals, played in high-pressure situations, and knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. That experience is invaluable for a young Rockets team that is still learning how to win on the biggest stage.
Of course, acquiring Booker doesn’t come cheap. The Rockets would have to part ways with two of their brightest young players—Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr.—along with rookie Reed Sheppard and valuable future draft picks. But the reality is that Houston needs a player of Booker’s caliber to take the next step.
Phoenix Suns Kickstart The Rebuild Around Youngsters
For the Suns, this trade signals a major shift in philosophy as they finally move to a rebuild. After going all-in on their Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Booker experiment, Phoenix has found itself stuck with an expensive and flawed roster that isn’t built to win a championship. The Suns hold a putrid 27-31 record and look to be out of a play-in spot as an 11th seed.
Obviously, moving on from Booker would be painful—he’s been the face of the franchise since being drafted in 2015—but if the Suns want to reset and build for the future, this is the perfect trade to do it. Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. provide an immediate injection of youth, athleticism, and upside, giving Phoenix two future stars to build around.
Thompson, a 6’7” defensive stalwart, has already shown elite passing instincts and defensive versatility. He’s averaging around 13.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, but his real impact comes on the defensive end. Meanwhile, Smith is a 6’11” floor-spacing forward who can defend multiple positions, rebound at a high level, and knock down outside shots. He’s averaging 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season while shooting nearly 36% from three.
Additionally, Reed Sheppard (No. 3 overall pick) gives the Suns an intriguing young shooter who has the potential to develop into a dangerous offensive weapon, while the two first-round picks allow them to continue stockpiling assets for the future. If the Suns are serious about pivoting to a rebuild, this is the type of deal that makes sense. By moving Booker, the Suns can transition to move on from Kevin Durant as well.
A Master Plan That Could Realistically Happen This Offseason
At first glance, it might seem unrealistic for the Suns to trade Devin Booker, but in reality, this is exactly the type of move that could happen. The Suns are going nowhere fast with their current roster, and with Kevin Durant turning 37 this summer and Bradley Beal struggling to stay healthy, Phoenix’s window to compete is all but shut.
Instead of waiting for Booker to become frustrated and demand a trade on his own terms, the Suns can be proactive and move him now, securing the best possible return while they still have leverage. Meanwhile, the Rockets are one of the few teams with the perfect combination of young talent, assets, and cap flexibility to pull off a blockbuster trade like this.
They have multiple young players who could intrigue the Suns, as well as control of their own draft picks—a rarity for teams looking to acquire a superstar. If Houston wants to take a massive leap into contention, landing a proven scorer like Booker is the fastest way to do it. The Rockets are already a playoff-level team, but adding Booker transforms them into a title contender overnight.
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