The Detroit Pistons’ epic move could be something the Phoenix Suns need.
Many continue to monitor Kevin Durant’s future and the uncertainty of coaching surrounding Mike Budenholzer, whispers about Devin Booker’s future.
Set to miss the play-in tournament and getting a good night’s sleep with Bradley Beale’s overcontract, the Phoenix Suns are having problems. They tried to attack Jimmy Butler’s trade before the February deadline, but were unable to do so without sacrificing the star player.
And now, as Kevin Durant is injured and hoping their season will fade, Devin Booker has already had a horrifying preview if he decides to stay with Phoenix as a lonely star.
Since he was drafted by the franchise in 2015, Booker has hampered his loyalty and commitment to the Sons organization and its fanbase as a hero in their small market.
Phoenix witnessed Booker becoming one of the brightest stars in the league from his younger outlook. The 29-year-old proudly represented Phoenix in his chest through the ups and downs of his career.
But this nightmare 2024-25 season offers Booker something to reevaluate. And for Austin Rivers, it’s finally time for the Star Guard to call it quits and go home.
In his inappropriate podcast, the former NBA veteran pitched the Detroit Pistons as the perfect destination for four-time All-Star talent.
“I think you can fit Devin almost anywhere,” Rivers began. “He has one of the games I really believe in. He’ll be successful because Devin is on an NBA team. He really believes he’s skilled and talented and efficient as a basketball player who can do it.
“Combining him with Cade (Cunningham) is at box office.
“He’s always wearing a Detroit hat. He’s always represented the red wings of Detroit (of the NHL). So he’s always got that kind of (he’s in Detroit).
“That would be a bit cool.”
Booker is from Grand Rapids, Michigan. And it’s not just the river that has presented Piston as Booker’s most ideal next destination. Former NBA star Stephen Jackson also campaigned for Booker to land his homecoming and become a part of Detroit basketball.
Piston is a big revelation this year. Behind Cade Cunningham’s Ascension, JB Bickerstaff’s coaching tactics, and the balanced combination of veteran presence and talented young cores, they are now achieving a dream season standing as the fifth seed of the Eastern Conference with the 42-33 Win-Loss card.
For their success this year, Detroit is determined to keep it up for years to come. In the case of the river, it’s time for the Sands to take advantage of it by sending Booker to the piston, at the expense of getting assets and draft pieces to start a new one.
“If I’m Matt Ishvia here, personally, I’ll move both (Booker and Durant) and start over,” Rivers insisted. “For these two players, you can get a gang full of picks, trades and perhaps young talent.
“Phoenix is currently in the race in the near future, but they can set up here to be a rebuilding franchise and competitive team in the long run, very quickly.”
Booker will definitely convince him to watch running the show with Cunningham on the Pistons, and he can wait to see if this will become a reality shortly after this season.