Notes:
This trade can only be accomplished at the trade deadline when Dennis Schroder's 60-day recently traded restriction expires. That is why it technically fails right now.
It is widely known that the Suns are above the second apron and therefore cannot aggregate contracts in a trade. However, in this case, per the CBA, the Suns CAN aggregate contracts for this because it ultimately results in them being at $187.7M in salaries, below the second apron threshold of $188.1M
This was a very complicated trade to get to work, so there is a lot of underlying cap wizardy which I may forego explaining. I'll explain the main parts.
Suns recognize that this roster is unrecoverably flawed and lacks the chemistry and edge to compete for a playoff spot (maybe not even the play-in). So they trade Booker to Houston and Durant to GS. Hopefully Beal will waive his no-trade-clause after the season when he recognizes that the Suns are rebuilding. If not, he can be our tank commander just like he was in Washington. At least he'll get his shots, which makes him happy.
For Booker, Houston sends the Suns ALL three of the Suns picks they currently own, plus two significant prospects in Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith. Sheppard doesn't look like he will be able to contribute to a contender and Jabari has underperformed his #3 draft pick position significantly. Houston also sends Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams. Plus Houston takes on the final year of Nurk's trash contract, but they have Sengun so he'll play sparingly. But Houston does get a valuable reserve in Royce on a good contract. I recognize that this is a lot for Houston to give up, but it is the price of a top-20 player in his prime, and they have the depth of young players like Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore, etc. who all need more minutes. This is a consolidation trade for Houston to level up to a true championship contended.
Phoenix will tank through the end of the season, which should land them in the top 8, giving them a 25% chance to have a top 4 pick (hey, Atlanta landed the 1st pick from the 8th position last year). In any case they'll have a high draft pick in a loaded draft.
Phoenix can either keep Dillon Brooks around or more likely flip him over the summer for more picks / youth. They may or may not sign Steven Adams, who is an unrestricted FA.
The Warriors trade was even more complicated as it also had to include the Raptors to make it work. Durant heads to the Warriors for two first round picks, a pick swap, two second round picks (via ATL), Kuminga and Podz. The reason Durant costs a bit less than Booker did is that even though he is better right now, he is old and will need to be extended for another two years (out to 26-27). All three contracts of Curry, Durant, and Draymond will conclude that season, which is why the '27 and '29 picks that Phoenix is receiving are so valuable. The Suns also exchanged Tyus Jones for Dennis Schroder to make the math work, but also to be nice to Tyus. Also they trade Looney to make the math work.
The Suns will extend Kuminga (RFA) at $30-$35M. They will not re-sign Schroeder and Looney.
To make the math work, the Warriors unfortunately need to let go of Wiggins (who has had a nice bounce-back season). They send him to his Canadian homeland in exchange for a '29 top 10 protected first and a second. Wiggins slots in nicely at SF for them. Toronto sends Bruce Brown's expiring contract and struggling and redundant first round pick Ja'Kobe Walker to the Suns to make the math work.
The Suns will not re-sign Bruce Brown.
The Jazz get involved as cap facilitators, taking on Okogie (non-guaranteed for next year) and Lee for two second round draft picks. In order to comply with CBA rules, they send Eubanks to the Warriors (who poorly replaces Looney's small minutes in their rotation).
Suns Lineup:
Remaining 2024: Starters: PG Schroder, SG Beal, SF Brooks, PF Kuminga, C Looney. The Suns will mix in the younger guys and do "load management" on the starters to ensure they tank themselves into a top 8 lottery position. Rotation players: PF/SF Jabari Smith, SF/PF Ryan Dunn, SG Grayson Allen (if Suns don't flip him), SG/PG Podz, C/PF Oso Ighodaro.
2025 lineup is fluid based on the draft and free agency, but definite starters are: PG Sheppard, PF/SF Kuminga, 2025 lottery draft pick. Rotation players: SG Beal (our tank commander if he chooses to stay), PF/SF Jabari Smith, SF/PF Ryan Dunn, SG Grayson Allen (if Suns don't flip him), SG/PG Podz, C/PF Oso Ighodaro, PG Collin Gillespie.
Warriors Lineup:
Starters: PG Curry, SG Hield, SF Durant, PF/C Draymond, C Trayce Jackson-Davis. Rotation playrs: PG Tyus Jones, SG/SF Moody. PF/SF Kyle Anderson, SG Lindy Waters, SF/SG/PG Payton II
Rockets Lineup:
Starters: PG Van Fleet, SG Booker, SF Amen Thompson, PF Eason, C Sengun. Rotation SG/PG Green, SF/PF O'Neale, SF/PF/SG Whitmore, C Nurk.
Raptors Lineup (tanking):
Starters: PG Quickley, SG RJ Barrett, SF: Wiggins, PF: Barnes, C Poeltl. Rotation: SG G.Dick, PG Shead, SF Tate, SF/PF Agbaji, PF/C Olynyk, PG/SG Mitchell, PF Boucher, C Eubanks
Jazz lineup - who cares, a bunch of tanking trash until next year.