You may have heard talk going around after the Phoenix Suns were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs that Devin Booker wanted to be traded to the New York Knicks.
The talk was originated by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith on Monday, when the ESPN personality said on his show, First Take: “[Devin Booker] might deny it, I haven’t spoken to him. I’m just telling you the scuttlebutt in the NBA circles is that brother wanna be in New York.”
Do Suns fans have to worry about Booker being unhappy in Phoenix and wanting a trade to New York?
Charles Barkley shut down the Booker to the Knicks “rumor” (if we can call it a rumor) on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM on Tuesday morning.
“Stephen A. thinks everybody wants to go to New York,” Barkley said on The Bickley and Marotta Show. “Last few years, it’s been Donovan Mitchell. Last time … KD was a free agent it was New York. Stephen A is a friend of mine, and I love Stephen A, but he wants everyone in New York. He’s not going to die happy until the Knicks win a championship. … You can skip that (rumor).”
There has never been any indication from Booker’s camp that the star wants out of Phoenix and Barkley’s comments should help ease the concerns of Suns fans.