This summer, the Phoenix Suns finally took a step in the right direction.
In 2023, the Suns traded much of their supporting cast in a win-now move to add Kevin Durant. That offseason, they would part ways with Chris Paul in exchange for Bradley Beal, rounding out a Big Three with Devin Booker.
That trio never made it past the first round of the playoffs, and the Suns blew up their roster in embarrassment this summer. Beal’s massive contract was bought out, and Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the tenth overall pick.
Adding Green and Brooks was a step in the right direction, but the Suns shouldn’t be done making moves.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 12: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives against Jalen Green #4 of the Houston Rockets during the first half of the game at Toyota Center on March 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns Need to Trade Jalen Green
Jalen Green is a very talented player. In his first four NBA seasons, he averaged an impressive 20.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. He is also one of the most exciting players in the NBA.
However, the Suns, under owner Mat Ishbia, have long made it clear that Booker is the focal point of the franchise. In an effort to maximize their star, the Suns must move on from their splashy summer addition.
Look at the two best shooting guards in the NBA. Booker is just as talented as Donovan Mitchell and Anthony Edwards, although they have been placed in positions to succeed. Both enjoy a pass-first point guard (Conely, Garland), 3-and-D wings (McDaniels, DiVincenzo, Hunter, Wade), bruising forwards (Randle, Allen), and a DPOY candidate down low (Gobert, Mobley).
Beal, Durant, and a hodgepodge of budget talent, not a carefully curated roster, surrounded Booker in the last two seasons.
Brooks is definitely a step in the right direction. A center rotation of Mark Williams, Nick Richards, and Khaman Maluach is a step in the right direction. Green is a ball-dominant slasher, similar to Beal in many regards. He is on a fairly tradeable contract, and the Suns need draft picks.
If Phoenix aims to rebuild organically, it needs draft picks. If the Suns want to trade picks for an established player to maximize Booker, the lone (heavily protected) first-round pick they have to trade won’t cut it.
Parting with Green will add draft capital and will only bring out the best in Booker.
Numbers Back Up Necessity to Trade Green
Again, look to the Edwards/Mitchell example. Booker has his anchor(s) down low, he has Brooks on the wing, and there is hope that Ryan Dunn can step up in a bigger role.
Even if Dunn doesn’t fall short, the Suns need a distributor. Booker can be that guy, at least according to Phoenix’s front office, although surrounding him with the same level of spacing Edwards and Mitchell get needs to be a priority.
Green doesn’t offer efficient scoring, and he would take reps from the Suns’ best player.
He was the first or second leading scorer in all four seasons in Houston, which makes sense, given his duties as lead guard. However, despite his ball-handling prowess, Green ranked ninth (13.1%), sixth (17.3%), fourth (17.3%), and fourth (16.0%) in assist percentage on the Rockets.
Green’s scoring leaves a lot to be desired, as well. Despite his fairly impressive volume, he is a 34.2% 3-point shooter and has never once been above average. Green “added” -45.5 points when compared to the league average in his rookie season, the worst on the team. -163.0 the following season, -129.0 the season after that, and -110.8 last season, the worst on the team every year.
Is that type of player really what the Suns want to feature as a centerpiece next to Booker?
Booker’s best seasons came with plenty of wing depth and a traditional point guard running the show. The Suns have neither of those. Flipping Green would remove a bad fit and give them options on how to address their glaring problems.
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