PHOENIX – Last year’s disastrous season for the Phoenix Suns has hurt the creditable of Devin Booker. The four-time All-Star’s superstardom is no question, but his ranks amongst the league’s other top players has taken a hit over the past calendar year. Fadeaway World’s Eddie Bitar ranked the top 25 point guards ahead of next season, with Booker being ranked sixth in the league.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Booker was behind names like Detroit Pistons Cade Cunningham, New York Knicks Jalen Brunson and Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry. The roster construction of last year’s team forced Booker to take the point guard mantle, which might’ve hurt his overall NBA ranking.
Apr 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after a play against the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Bitar on why Suns star was ranked sixth:
“Devin Booker’s forced transition into more of a lead guard has been seamless, averaging 25.6 points with seven assists while still providing his usual scoring fireworks last season. The Suns’ offense thrives when the ball is in his hands, mainly because they don’t trust anyone else.
“With Jalen Green arriving, Booker’s ability to switch between playmaker and killer scorer will absolutely be necessary. What keeps him near the top tier is Booker’s sheer talent because he will look to earn some MVP-caliber flowers at some point.”
Dec 15, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives between New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) in the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
The 28-year-old’s natural position is playing the two, typically off-ball peeling off screens or having the ball in his hands to get to his spots in isolation. However, Booker has grown as a player, being tied for 10th in the league by averaging 7.1 assists. His playmaking and finding teammates has become sensational, but the lack of team success has media outlets ignoring Booker’s development in that field.
One must wonder, if Booker’s creditable and the team’s success would be better with the All-NBA guard playing his natural position? The franchise has failed to find a replacement that Chris Paul left a few years ago after the Bradley Beal trade.
Apr 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) and guard Devin Booker (1) react on the bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The numbers illustrate that the team has a better recorded when Booker records 8+ assists opposed to when he scores 25+ points (19-14 compared to 20-19). Booker has completely shifted his playstyle the past two seasons to accompany the two fellow All-Stars on his team: Beal and Kevin Durant.
However, with Beal and Durant’s departure, the talent surrounding Booker has taken a massive dip. The 11th-year Suns guard’s plate is going to increase tenfold. It’ll be up to Booker if he continues his develop to the point guard role or he reverts back to being a score-first type of player.
Jan 8, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and guard Bradley Beal (3) and forward Kevin Durant (35) stands on the floor during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
The answer will be unclear until the 11 new players for the Suns see the court and how they mesh with Booker for the 2025-2026 season. Booker has always been a win-first type of player, and based on last year’s result, he will continue to be a pass-first player to get his teammates involved in the offense.
Phoenix Suns trio Booker, Brooks and Green support Mercury ahead of NBA season
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
