Knicks could swing a trade for Devin Booker following the Kevin Durant blockbuster deal

Well, it finally happened. Sunday, Kevin Durant was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets. In return, Phoenix received Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and a payload of picks. 

Signaling the start of a new era for the Suns, the blockbuster deal could open the door for the team’s other stars — namely Devin Booker — to potentially become available on the trade block. That’s where the New York Knicks swoop in. 

The Knicks were one of the teams initially rumored to be in on Durant before falling out of the race. They’ve also been linked to Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. After one of their best seasons this century — and still in the market for a star upgrade — Booker could become a viable option to fit the bill should Phoenix opt to move him.

As a result of the Durant trade, the Suns currently have a logjam in their backcourt. Booker, Bradley Beal, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks all would need to share playing time as currently constructed. Additionally, the Suns lack a traditional point guard on the roster, opting to start Devin Booker at point guard this past season, as well as depth in their frontcourt.

Here is a proposed mock trade that would land Booker in New York by swapping All-Stars:

Knicks receive: Devin Booker, 2027 first-round pick (via UTAH, CLE, or MIN)

Suns receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, 2026 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick (via BOS)

For the Knicks, they’d receive another primary ball handler next to Brunson to create one of the best backcourts in the NBA, putting less pressure on New York’s wings such as Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby to command the offense. The Knicks struggled at times getting Towns involved offensively, and while that could’ve been a Tom Thibodeau issue, it is still worth considering. 

Initially, the Suns were uninterested in a Towns for Durant swap, but perhaps their tune has changed now that the Suns are in rather desperate need of frontcourt help. Both Towns and Booker each have three years, and roughly $171 million remaining on their current deals, so this is essentially an eye for an eye. 

At 28 years old, Booker fits the Knicks timeline and championship window. He has been one of the league’s most prolific scorers in his 10-year career, all with Phoenix. For his career, Booker is averaging 24.4 points per game, and has been named an All-Star four times, and All-NBA twice. He has also shown flashes of being a very solid combo-guard in the NBA, averaging a career-high 7.1 assists per game this past season.

Currently, there are no indications that Booker is being shopped by the Suns. However, the Kevin Durant trade may very well have been just the first domino to fall for Phoenix, so the Knicks will surely be monitoring the situation closely in the coming weeks.