Devin Booker’s rise from promising lottery pick to the unquestioned face of the Phoenix Suns is now a defining storyline in the franchise’s modern history.
Yet, according to a recent revelation from a former head coach, that trajectory nearly ended before it truly began. A proposed trade during the 2016-17 season could have sent Booker to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Jimmy Butler, a move that would have dramatically altered the paths of two franchises and several star careers.
At the time, Phoenix was rebuilding and Booker was still early in his development, coming off a strong sophomore season but not yet viewed league-wide as a future All-NBA caliber guard.
Butler, meanwhile, was already an established two-way star and perennial All-Star in Chicago. From a short-term perspective, the trade could have made sense for a Suns team desperate for leadership and defensive identity.
Former Suns head coach Earl Watson, however, saw Booker‘s long-term potential differently. Appearing on “Bucks+ Audio,” Watson explained that he personally intervened to stop then-owner Robert Sarver from completing the deal.
“I said, ‘If you trade Devin Booker, I am resigning tonight,'” said Watson.
That moment proved pivotal. Booker remained in Phoenix, while Butler stayed with the Bulls until he was later traded to Minnesota.
A franchise-altering decision
Looking back, the implications of a Booker for Butler swap are enormous. Booker would have arrived in Chicago as the post Derrick Rose centerpiece, tasked with leading a historic franchise through a turbulent transitional period.
Without the continuity Phoenix provided, his development arc could have looked very different. According to ESPN analysts, Booker benefited from organizational patience, high usage, and a system that allowed him to grow through mistakes, something not every market affords young guards.
For Butler, Phoenix would have represented a fresh start as a franchise leader in the Western Conference. His defensive intensity and competitive edge might have accelerated the Suns’ rebuild, particularly once Chris Paul arrived in 2020.
NBA historians have often noted Butler‘s ability to elevate teammates, most famously during his later runs with Miami, as documented by The Athletic. Whether that leadership would have translated the same way in Phoenix remains an open question.
What is clear is that Booker‘s presence allowed the Suns to build organically. He became a four-time All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist, and the offensive engine of a team that reached the NBA Finals.
His loyalty to the franchise has been reciprocated with long-term contracts and a roster consistently built to compete at the highest level.
Nearly a decade later, Watson‘s ultimatum stands as one of the most consequential behind-the-scenes decisions in Suns history.
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