The present is already looking pretty good for the New York Knicks, but they may have one eye on the future as well.
Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports reports this week that the Knicks have had trade interest in Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker going back several years. Bourguet adds that the Knicks would be willing to offer “almost anything” to the Suns in order to pair Booker with Jalen Brunson in their backcourt.
The report comes after Stephen A. Smith passed along an interesting rumor this week that Booker, whose Suns were just swept out of the first round of the playoffs, would like to be in New York. Knicks president Leon Rose notably used to be Booker’s agent at Creative Arts Agency (CAA).
Bourguet is also quick to note though that the Knicks’ interest is one-sided at this point as Booker remains fully committed to the Suns for the moment.
But it is an interesting proposition nevertheless as Phoenix is facing a dire roster situation right now and may have some tough decisions to make. It seems very unlikely that they would consider moving their franchise player Booker if he still wants to remain with them. But if the Suns do decide to explore that drastic option, Booker does not have a no-trade clause in his contract (which runs through 2028).
As for the Knicks, the offensive firepower of a Brunson-Booker frontcourt would be absurd. While the duo would foreseeably struggle to defend at the point of attack, rugged defenders like OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson would be able to help cover for them (assuming that none of those guys would be sent back to Phoenix in a trade for Booker). The first round of rumors linking Booker to the Knicks was already interesting enough, and now the Knicks may be trying to intensify their pursuit come the summer.
