“Yes, this is real.” Shams Charania had to reassure the NBA community that the Mavericks had indeed parted ways with Luka Doncic— a move once seemed unimaginable. As the harsh reality sank in, it became clearer to every star player that the script could flip at any moment. Amid all of this, Devin Booker sent a clear message to the Phoenix Suns’ front office.

Booker delivered yet another offensive masterclass last night but fell just short of securing the win against the Trail Blazers in a heartbreaking 121-119 loss. However, he had one good reason to celebrate. Booker became Phoenix’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing franchise legend Walter Davis with 15,678 points. After the game, Booker joined the podium for the post-game press conference. When asked what playing for Arizona meant to him and the significance of his achievements with the franchise, Booker said, “I don’t want to be too soon with the situation, but we’ve just seen what went down a couple days ago.”

So, he referenced three legendary figures in the league who spent their entire careers with one organization to express his desire to follow in their footsteps. “And it’s just, it is foreign in this league for people to do what the Tim Duncan’s and Dirk Nowitzki’s and Kobe Bryant’s did all under one roof, all under one house,” Booker said.

The 28-year-old year also recalled his nearly decade-old journey with the team and the supporters. “Like I said, I came in at 18, not knowing what to expect still, trying to become a young man, and I was always embraced. I was always loved through the fire too. You guys remember the early days, it wasn’t pretty, but there was always that equal love and support from the city, from the community. And I’ve always made it a point to stay involved.” That’s a clear indication that somewhere down the line, Booker hopes to be remembered, etched in Suns’ history, the same way as those star players with their respective franchises.

The Suns have made it clear how badly they want a championship, and they’re ready to shake up their roster to make it happen. To pull off a blockbuster trade, though, a big change is needed. They can’t afford to trade Kevin Durant, though, as he has the championship experience. After weeks of pushing, Bradley Beal’s agent confirmed he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause, which leaves the Suns with one option, Devin Booker.

It’s not a no-brainer to trade him, as Booker has been loyal since day one and has always been consistent. But so was Luka Doncic. If he can be traded, then honestly, anything can happen. However, Booker wasn’t the only one haunted by that kind of uncertainty, the thought began to creep into every player’s mind.

Besides Devin Booker, other NBA stars are shaken by Doncic’s trade

Luka Doncic had been the face of the Dallas Mavericks for the past few seasons, leading the team to the NBA Finals just last year with his exceptional contributions. But the shock came out of nowhere, with no prior warning. Suddenly, he was traded to the Lakers, and Anthony Davis was welcomed to the Mavs. This unexpected move sent shockwaves throughout the league forcing franchise players to react.

Stephen Curry, who has been with the Warriors since stepping into the league, said, “It’s a reminder, maybe only a few in this league that can go to sleep with any type of confidence.” That sentiment surely sends chills down your spine, knowing even a player of his stature feels that way. “But, you’ll still be there. It’s kind of a very unique situation across the board, but I think the idea that it happened in silence was pretty crazy,” the 4-time champion added.

Doncic’s close friend Nikola Jokic also couldn’t believe what had just happened. “It’s a big move. It’s a business. Nobody expected it, especially with him. I think nobody is safe in the league,” the Nuggets star told the media.

Even someone as outspoken as Anthony Edwards expressed his fear when the trade news broke. The guard couldn’t wrap his head around why Doncic was traded despite his hard work and phenomenal scoring abilities. Edwards bluntly said, “I’m scared,” and sent a message to Timberwolves GM Tim Connelly, “If you gonna trade me, let me know dog.” Connelly had made a similar move with Karl-Anthony Towns, but at least the now-Knicks center was informed a few minutes before the deal went down unlike what Doncic had to face.

There were many others equally concerned about their future, which is why Devin Booker made it clear to the Suns that he wants to finish his career with the organization. Hopefully, the Suns won’t turn a deaf ear to that. After seeing how the NBA world turned upside down with Doncic’s trade, all eyes will now be on the trade deadline, hoping to finally breathe a sigh of relief.