The escape from a second-apron fate would allow the front office to use the taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, the first-round picks they own will no longer be frozen at the end of the round, and they could aggregate salaries in a trade, among other key perks that will likely incentivize the above moves.

With the Phoenix Suns looking like they're on the brink of a rebuild, there's more to think about than Kevin Durant's future. Is it also time for Devin Booker to consider leaving Phoenix for a true shot at a championship?

The Phoenix Suns entered the 2024-25 NBA season with high expectations, especially after the performances from both Devin Booker and Kevin Durant during the 202

Instead, the Suns have seen their playoff hopes slowly vanish as the regular season in nearing an end. Phoenix currently sits 11th in the Western Conference standings with a 28-33 record, which has them four and a half games behind the Dallas Mavericks for the final Play-In spot.

Washington dealt Beal to the Suns in the summer of 2023. The previous year, Washington signed Beal to five-year extension with a no-trade clause, which he waived in that deal. However, Beal balked at waiving the clause before this year’s deadline.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker “should want out” as the team dropped five games below.500 after Sunday’s home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.