The Phoenix Suns have already hit the reset button, parting ways with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal ito signal the end of their short-lived superteam era. With the franchise staring down a complete rebuild, the question becomes what to do with Devin Booker, the last remaining face of the team’s championship aspirations.
Rather than letting him linger on a roster destined for the lottery or possibly the play-in tournament, Phoenix could choose to cash in on their All-NBA guard while his value is at its peak, bringing back draft capital and young talent necessary to chart a new direction for the future.
Enter the Toronto Raptors, a team quietly positioning itself as a sleeping giant in the Eastern Conference. Pairing Booker with Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes would instantly create one of the most dangerous Big Threes in the league, giving Toronto a legitimate shot to contend in the wide-open Eastern Conference.
The move would not only elevate the Raptors into the championship conversation but also reshape the balance of power in the East. Let’s dive into how such a blockbuster could unfold and why it makes sense for both sides.
Proposed Trade Details
Toronto Raptors Receive: Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns Receive: RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, 2028 first-round pick (TOR), 2031 first-round pick, 2032 first-round pick
Toronto Raptors Create The Best Big Three In The East For 2025-26
The Raptors’ front office has made bold moves before, but this one would be their most ambitious since acquiring Kawhi Leonard in 2018. By adding Devin Booker, Toronto instantly forms a dynamic Big Three alongside Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes.
Booker remains one of the league’s most prolific scorers, averaging 25.6 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in 2024-25, proving he can be both a primary scorer and an effective secondary playmaker. Pairing his elite shot creation with Ingram’s All-Star skills and Barnes’ all-around impact gives Toronto three stars who complement each other’s strengths.
What makes this trio especially dangerous is its offensive balance. Booker is lethal from all three levels, Ingram thrives in isolation and pick-and-roll sets, and Barnes has developed into a playmaking hub who averaged 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists last season.
The combination ensures Toronto won’t be overly reliant on any single player, and each star is capable of carrying the offense on a given night. Add in Barnes’ defensive versatility and length on the wing, along with the sheer presence of Jakob Poeltl (14.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG), and Toronto’s starters can shut down opponents, too.
Beyond the numbers, the move would shift the Raptors from a fringe playoff team to a legitimate contender. The Eastern Conference has never been more open with Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton rehabbing their Achilles’, but Toronto’s new core gives them a roster capable of matching firepower while maintaining balance across the floor.
With a strong supporting cast of role players like Poeltl, Gradey Dick (14.4 PPG), and Ochai Agbaji, and the Raptors overcome just being a “talented” team and become a championship-caliber squad overnight.
Phoenix Suns Continue Rebuilding With Two Key Players And Three Picks
For Phoenix, trading Booker won’t be easy but is could be neccessary to secure a new foundation for the future. After moving Durant and Beal, the Suns are better off pivoting toward a youth-oriented rebuild.
In this scenario, they’d land two high-upside players along with three valuable draft picks, replenishing an asset pool that had been depleted by the previous front office’s win-now moves that proved to be an utter disaster. That combination gives Phoenix both present talent and long-term flexibility, a vital step for a franchise that needs to reset its goals asap.
The two players coming back would immediately step into important roles. RJ Barrett is only 25 years old, posted 21.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 5.4 APG last year, and has the makings of being a long-term swingman for the right franchise. Immanuel Quickley is only 26, averaged 17.1 PPG and 5.8 APG last year, and is a sure-fire offensive weapon whether he starts or comes off the bench. These players would keep the Suns competitive in the short term while allowing them to avoid a complete collapse.
Most importantly, the draft capital ensures Phoenix has a pathway back to contention someday. With three additional first-rounders, the Suns can either stockpile young talent or package the picks in future trades to chase another star when the time is right. By moving Booker now, Phoenix avoids the risk of wasting his prime years on a team not ready to contend and could look at what they want to do with Jalen Green as well.
A Shocking Deal That Shifts The Balance Of Power In The NBA
Without using hyperbole, this trade would reshape the NBA landscape. The Raptors, who have hovered between rebuilding and retooling since trading Pascal Siakam, would catapult themselves into true contention.
A core of Booker, Ingram, and Barnes has the offensive firepower to go toe-to-toe with anybody in the East, including Jalen Brunson’s Knicks or Paolo Banchero’s Magic. Few teams in the East, or the league at large, could match that level of three-way star power.
On the flip side, Phoenix would fully embrace its rebuild in a way that mirrors other franchises who successfully reset. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets both stockpiled draft capital while developing young talent, and they’ve quickly risen back into relevance. With their own version of that blueprint, the Suns could build around Jalen Green, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley and a stash of picks, instead of all the idiotic moves they have made in the past.
From a league-wide perspective, this deal rebalances power between conferences. The West loses one of its perennial All-Stars, while the East gains a new juggernaut. Suddenly, the Raptors would be a nightmare matchup in any seven-game series, and a dark horse to make the Finals to represent the East.
