New Orleans Pelicans: 4 Trade candidates to keep an eye on next season

The Phoenix Suns put a contending team around Devin Booker this offseason, but that doesn’t mean that the New Orleans Pelicans couldn’t find a way to steal him if he wants a change of scenery

#3- Devin Booker

Oh yeah, we’re getting bold in this post, but the Pelicans should be too. That’s why I think fans should keep their eyes on Devin Booker.

Sure, the Phoenix Suns may have just had one of the best offseasons in the NBA by acquiring Chris Paul and adding some 3-and-D threats to their roster to support Booker, but that might not change the fact he doesn’t want to be there long-term.

At least that’s what people around the league seem to think as the Ringer’s Ryen Russillo said this summer that people he spoke told him Devin Booker wanting out of Phoenix is “the worst kept secret in the NBA”.

Unfortunately, that’s where things get tricky on the New Orleans Pelicans’ end because Devin Booker is already under contract with Phoenix for three more years after this season. That means even if he requests a trade, the Suns don’t have to agree to one.

My thinking is, what if for some reason the roster that the Suns put together blows up in their face? It easily could, if 35-year-old Chris Paul deteriorates and guys like Jae Crowder start biting into Booker’s shots. That situation might make the Suns realize that trading an unhappy Booker could help them reboot their roster much easier than any other option would.

Just think about it then, if you’re the Suns and you can get several first-round picks and a guard like Nickeil Alexander-Walker or Josh Hart in a package for Devin Booker, you might not lose too much ground.

Pelicans fans may feel hesitant because who says Devin Booker wants to play in New Orleans either. To that I’ll say winning is the best deodorant and if Zion Williamson and the Pelicans give Booker the chance to make championship runs, I’m sure he’d grow to love life in the Big Easy.

For those reasons, I think Pelicans fans should be rooting for this red-hot Suns team to come cratering back down to earth. A swift fall from grace like that could net New Orleans a 24-year-old All-Star who’s still scratching the surface of what he can become.

Is Devin Booker was too much of a stretch for you? Then how about this superstar?