Back in 2016, the Phoenix Suns were a franchise still searching for direction, and Devin Booker was just beginning to show flashes of the star he’d become. But according to former head coach Earl Watson, the Suns came dangerously close to making a franchise-altering move - one that would’ve sent Booker to Chicago in exchange for Jimmy Butler.
"I said, 'If you trade Devin Booker, I am resigning tonight.'"
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 19, 2025
Former Suns head coach Earl Watson says he stopped former Suns owner Robert Sarver from trading Devin Booker to the Bulls in exchange for Jimmy Butler 🤯
(via @DylanHCarter)
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Watson, who led the Suns during the 2016-17 season, recently revealed on the “Bucks+ Audio” podcast that he personally stepped in to block the deal. His message to then-owner Robert Sarver was clear: trade Booker, and Watson would quit on the spot.
“I said, ‘If you trade Devin Booker, I am resigning tonight,’” Watson recalled.
That trade never happened, and nearly a decade later, it’s hard to imagine the Suns without Booker. He’s become the cornerstone of the franchise - a four-time All-Star, a proven scorer, and the emotional leader of a team that’s climbed from the lottery to legitimate contention.
Watson’s stand didn’t just keep a young player in Phoenix - it may have changed the course of the franchise entirely. At the time, Booker was still developing, and Butler was already an established All-Star.
On paper, the deal could’ve made sense for a team desperate to win. But sometimes, patience pays off.
And in this case, the Suns bet on Booker’s potential - and won big.
Just think about the ripple effect. If Booker had gone to the Bulls in 2016, he would’ve stepped into a post-Derrick Rose Chicago backcourt, potentially becoming the new face of that storied franchise.
Meanwhile, Butler would’ve landed in Phoenix - and who knows how that would’ve played out, especially with Chris Paul eventually joining the Suns in 2020. Would the chemistry have clicked?
Would Phoenix have made the Finals in 2021? It’s all hypothetical now, but it’s a reminder of how one decision can shape an entire era.
Fast forward to today, and Booker continues to be the anchor for Phoenix. He’s averaging 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game this season - numbers that speak to his steady production and all-around impact. He’s shooting 45.6% from the field and hitting 30.4% from deep, and while the three-point percentage isn’t eye-popping, his ability to score at all three levels and create for others remains elite.
Booker’s growth hasn’t just been about stats. He’s matured into a leader, a closer, and a player who embraces the spotlight. The Suns have built around him, and for good reason - he’s proven he can carry the load, whether it’s dropping 40 in a playoff game or facilitating the offense when defenses key in on him.
At 29, Jimmy Butler is still one of the league’s fiercest competitors. But in hindsight, the Suns’ decision to hold onto Booker - thanks in part to Watson’s ultimatum - looks like one of the most important “non-trades” in recent NBA history.
Sometimes, the best move is the one you don’t make.