The Phoenix Suns have navigated a transformative 2025 offseason that reshaped their championship aspirations. Kevin Durant’s departure to the Houston Rockets in a historic seven-team deal thrust Devin Booker into an even more central role, while the franchise continues building around their 28-year-old cornerstone.
However, with several roster questions still unresolved, Phoenix may not be finished making moves.
Can the Phoenix Suns Trade Jalen Green to the Brooklyn Nets?
As the Suns move forward with Booker as their focal point, questions remain about the supporting cast surrounding their star guard. The team continues constructing a championship-caliber roster around the veteran scorer, but some acquisitions from the Durant trade may not fit their long-term vision.
According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, Jalen Green (acquired from the Rockets in 2025) might not represent the best fit for Phoenix’s future plans. In an article exploring mock trades for each team’s top assets, Buckley proposed sending the 23-year-old guard to the Brooklyn Nets in a multi-piece deal.
The proposed trade would work as follows:
- The Nets receive: Jalen Green
- The Suns receive: Michael Porter Jr., a 2027 first-round pick (via the New York Knicks), and a 2032 first-round pick (via the Denver Nuggets)
Buckley’s analysis centers on fit and balance within Phoenix’s backcourt rotation. While Green brings undeniable talent, the pairing with Booker may create spacing and defensive challenges that could limit the team’s ceiling.
“As for the Suns, they might wonder like the rest of us how a Green-Devin Booker backcourt will function and could imagine better balance with a bigger, better-shooting costar like Porter,” Buckley wrote. “Plus, this would deliver Phoenix real trade ammunition in the form of two unprotected future firsts, largely meant to cover for the difference in age, salary and injury history from Green to Porter.”
From Brooklyn’s perspective, the trade would represent a calculated gamble on potential over proven production. Buckley explained that while the Nets might not be seeking immediate acceleration, adding a dynamic young talent like Green could provide the foundation for future competitiveness.
The Nets would benefit from Green’s combination of athleticism and experience, qualities that could complement their young core from the 2025 draft.
Green’s production during the 2024-25 season demonstrated his value as a primary offensive weapon. The overall No. 2 pick in 2021 averaged 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 42.3% from the field. Green is currently signed to a three-year, $105,333,333 contract that provides both security and flexibility for potential suitors.
Why Do NBA Analysts Believe the Suns Can Avoid a Full Rebuild?
Following Durant’s departure and Bradley Beal’s exit, many around the league questioned whether Phoenix faced an inevitable rebuild. With significant roster turnover and questions about their competitive window, the Suns appeared positioned for a potential step backward.
However, some analysts believe the franchise can maintain its competitive trajectory without entering a prolonged rebuilding phase.
I asked @WorldWideWob if he thinks the Suns are stuck in purgatory following the KD trade and Booker extension:
“No… Phoenix can expedite a reload process and not a rebuild.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/xwr3OrtVCb
— Erik Ruby (@ErikRuby) July 13, 2025
In an interview in July, Rob Perez outlined his reasoning for why Phoenix can avoid a complete organizational overhaul. His perspective emphasizes the difference between a reload and a rebuild, particularly given the franchise’s financial commitments.
“I’m just trying to think of examples throughout time in which Phoenix can expedite a reload process, and not necessarily a rebuild. No one wants to sit through a rebuild,” he explained.
The key factor in Perez’s analysis revolves around the substantial investment in Booker’s future. With the organization committing significant resources to their franchise player, a lengthy rebuilding process becomes both impractical and financially problematic.
“Phoenix is also not gonna be that way, especially committing those types of funds to Devin Booker.”
Trading Green for a player like Porter, along with valuable draft picks, represents exactly the type of calculated move that could keep the Suns in championship contention while Booker remains in his prime.