Back in late April, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith mentioned that Devin Booker had expressed interest in playing for the New York Knicks. However, more recent reports suggest that Booker isn’t planning to leave the Phoenix Suns anytime soon.

“I continue to hear that there is no Devin Booker trade request coming,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe said on his podcast, The Lowe Post, on Monday (51:36 mark). “You know, not in the foreseeable future.”

This is promising news for the Suns, as Booker is undeniably the most crucial player for the franchise.

While Kevin Durant remains highly effective, he’s 35 years old and at a stage in his career where a decline wouldn’t be surprising. Bradley Beal, on the other hand, struggled during his first season in Phoenix and is nearly impossible to trade due to his hefty contract and no-trade clause.

Therefore, if the Suns aim to turn things around after a disappointing 2023-24 season, it will be Booker who spearheads that effort.

The 27-year-old Devin Booker is a four-time All-Star who led the Suns in assists (6.9 APG) this past season, acting as the de facto point guard, and tied with Kevin Durant as the team’s top scorer (27.1 PPG). He is the team’s best player and is in his prime years.

Booker was instrumental in leading the Suns out of a decade-long playoff drought, guiding them to the postseason in the 2019-20 campaign. Despite numerous changes within the organization since then, Booker has been the constant presence.

This season’s disappointment, with a 49-33 record and a first-round sweep by the Minnesota Timberwolves, marked the Suns’ fourth consecutive playoff appearance. Booker remains the franchise’s cornerstone and primary figure.

The critical question is how the Suns will rebuild around him after the Big 3 of Booker, Durant, and Beal left the team lacking depth. The absence of a true point guard and a rim-protecting center resulted in one of the most top-heavy and unbalanced rosters in the NBA. Beal’s underperformance further diminished the team’s competitiveness.

There is still talent in Phoenix, and the team has time to reconfigure its roster. The arrival of new head coach Mike Budenholzer should provide some stability. Booker appears willing to give the Suns more time, but a crucial summer lies ahead.