Phoenix Suns · Franchise era 6 of 7
The long rebuild: the Phoenix Suns story
The story in one sentence
Phoenix spent a decade outside the playoffs while Booker developed from late-lottery scorer into its next franchise star.
Booker emerges through instability
Devin Booker, Goran Dragić and Eric Bledsoe gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for booker's contender.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2010–11
What came before
Nash's return unlocked a revolutionary offense and three conference-finals trips, influencing a generation without reaching the Finals.
- 33TradeJuly 11, 2012
July 11, 2012
The sign-and-trade that sent Steve Nash to Los Angeles
Los Angeles wanted an elite organizer beside Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol; Phoenix chose draft value rather than lose its longtime point guard for nothing.
To LAL
To PHX20131STround asset20151STround asset+2 assetsSteve Nash to the LakersLAL receives Steve NashPHX receives 2013 1st-round pick, 2015 1st-round pick, 2013 2nd-round pick + 1 more5 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade → After 2019–20
What came next
Paul helped Booker lead a Finals run and a 64-win season before Phoenix exchanged depth and draft capital for another superstar swing.
The core