Report: Knicks ‘Willing To Offer Almost Anything’ To Suns For Devin Booker
According to NBA insider Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports, the New York Knicks “would be willing to offer almost anything” to the Phoenix Suns for Devin Booker.
The Knicks have been interested in acquiring Booker since 2020.
“According to that source, the Knicks have been interested in Booker dating back to Leon Rose’s instatement as team president back in 2020,” Bourguet wrote. “Rose, a former CAA player agent prior to being hired by New York, once served as Booker’s representation, and other Knicks personnel with connections to the 27-year-old Suns star recently put out feelers about his potential interest in coming to New York.
“Adding a young superstar with four All-Star selections and one All-NBA selection (and possibly a second to follow soon) like Booker to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference makes sense from the Knicks’ perspective. He and Jalen Brunson would form an electrifying, high-scoring backcourt for one the NBA’s most pleasant surprises, and according to a source, New York would be willing to offer almost anything to make that pairing happen.”
The Minnesota Timberwolves swept the Suns in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
However, Booker is not looking to leave Phoenix.
“But that day isn’t here yet, according to the source within Booker’s camp,” Bourguet wrote. “As a student of the game and its history, Booker understands the value of sticking with one franchise for his entire career, following in the footsteps of guys like his idol Kobe Bryant.
“So even after a disappointing first-round sweep, the source says Booker is steadfast in his desire to get over the hump in Phoenix, stating bluntly: ‘This is his city.’”
One of the top scorers in the NBA, Booker averaged 27.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.9 assists for the Suns this season while shooting 49.2% from the floor, 36.4% from beyond the arc and 88.6% from the free-throw line.
Booker will make $49.4 million next season. He signed a four-year, $221 million extension with the Suns in July 2022.
The Suns drafted Booker with the 13th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Booker has career averages of 24.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
He scored 70 points against the Boston Celtics during the 2016-17 season.