Back in 2016, the Phoenix Suns were a franchise searching for direction. Devin Booker had just wrapped up his rookie season, showing flashes of scoring brilliance but still largely unproven.
At the same time, Jimmy Butler was an established All-Star with the Chicago Bulls, and his name was swirling in trade talks across the league. According to former Suns head coach Earl Watson, Phoenix came dangerously close to pulling the trigger on a deal that would’ve sent Booker to Chicago in exchange for Butler.
But Watson says he stepped in and shut it down.
On a recent episode of “Bucks+ Audio,” Watson revealed that he threatened to resign immediately if the Suns moved forward with the trade. “I said, ‘If you trade Devin Booker, I am resigning tonight,’” Watson recalled. The deal never materialized - and the rest, as they say, is history.
"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)
pic.twitter.com/qOwreE7b3S
Watson only coached the Suns for one full season, but that moment may have had a lasting impact on the franchise’s trajectory. Nine years later, Booker is not only still in Phoenix - he’s the face of the team and one of the premier shooting guards in the NBA. The Suns have built their identity around him, and there’s no indication they’re looking to change that anytime soon.
Booker’s rise has been steady and impressive. From a 13th overall pick to a four-time All-Star, he’s evolved into a cornerstone player with a complete offensive game and a growing leadership presence.
This season, he’s once again delivering at a high level, averaging 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. His shooting splits - 45.6% from the field and 30.4% from deep - reflect both his volume scoring role and his ability to create in tough situations.
But Watson’s story opens the door to a fascinating “what if” scenario. If that trade had gone through, Booker would’ve been handed the keys to a post-Derrick Rose Bulls team - a franchise in flux, trying to find its next star.
Meanwhile, Butler would’ve landed in Phoenix, possibly becoming the centerpiece of a Suns rebuild that, at the time, lacked a clear direction. Fast forward a few years, and Butler could’ve been the one teaming up with Chris Paul in 2020 when the Suns began their rise to contender status.
It’s one of those league-altering decisions that never happened - but easily could have. And it underscores just how fragile the foundation of a franchise can be. One trade, one decision, one moment of conviction from a head coach, and the entire landscape changes.
Instead, the Suns held onto Booker. And today, that decision looks like one of the best the organization has made in the last decade. He’s not just a scorer anymore - he’s a leader, a closer, and the kind of player you build a championship window around.
Phoenix may have flirted with a major shake-up in 2016, but sometimes the best move is the one you don’t make.