Phoenix Suns · Franchise era 7 of 7
Booker's contender: the Phoenix Suns story
Franchise era
2020–21—present
Booker's contender
Phoenix Suns
The story in one sentence
Paul helped Booker lead a Finals run and a 64-win season before Phoenix exchanged depth and draft capital for another superstar swing.
The Finals return and an all-in second act
Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Kevin Durant gave the era its recognizable core.
Its final meaning is still being written.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2020–21
What came before
Phoenix spent a decade outside the playoffs while Booker developed from late-lottery scorer into its next franchise star.
2021
Western Conference Finals: Phoenix Suns vs LA Clippers
2021
NBA Finals: Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks
2022
Western Conference Semifinals: Phoenix Suns vs Dallas Mavericks
February 9, 2023
Phoenix's Kevin Durant all-in wager
New Suns ownership immediately compressed a Finals-tested core into another superstar beside Devin Booker. Brooklyn abandoned its own superteam and reclaimed flexibility.
17Superstar packageFebruary 9, 2023PHX⇄BKNDurant to PhoenixPhoenix acquired Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren while Brooklyn received Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, four firsts, a swap and additional four-team value.10 assets · 3 outcomes＋
The original receipt
Phoenix Suns received
- • Kevin Durant
- • T.J. Warren
Brooklyn Nets received
- • Mikal Bridges
- • Cam Johnson
- • Draft rights to Juan Pablo Vaulet
- • 2023 Phoenix first
- • 2025 Phoenix first
- • 2027 Phoenix first
- • 2028 Phoenix swap rights
- • 2029 Phoenix first
The trade ended the Durant–Irving–Harden experiment and made Phoenix a star-heavy contender, while Brooklyn used Bridges and the distant unprotected picks to begin another reset.
Open full trade tree →Still unfolding
Where the story stands
This chapter remains active, so its final place in franchise history is still being written.
The core