The Phoenix Suns enter Thursday’s game against the Detroit Pistons having won four of their last six games, staying competitive in the absence of injured stars Devin Booker and Jalen Green.
Booker has been a model of consistency for the Suns since coming into the league and has yet to play less than 53 games in a season over 10 years in Phoenix.
That said, could you imagine if Devin Booker weren’t a member of the Suns?
Well, it nearly happened. According to former Suns’ head coach Earl Watson, former owner of the Phoenix Suns, Robert Sarver approached Watson about trading Booker for Jimmy Butler who at that time was a member of the Chicago Bulls.
However, Watson stuck up for Booker and it ultimately helped him stay with the Suns. “In that moment, I was the biggest Devin Booker advocate. It could’ve changed my entire coaching trajectory. I seen a kid that could be one of the greatest players ever. I said, ‘If you trade Devin Booker, I am resigning tonight.”
As for Watson, his tenure didn’t last much longer following the nixed trade. Watson was infamously fired by the team in the 2017-18 season only three games into the campaign.
In 118 games as coach of the Suns, the former 13-year NBA veteran holds a career 33-85 record. Although, it’s clear that he’ll be remembered by Suns’ fans for his role in the decision to keep Booker around long term.
A move that has worked out nicely for Phoenix since his departure.
