Devin Booker is, undeniable, one of the most talented young players in the league. He can score like the best of them and is incredibly versatile in the offensive end. He can play off the ball but also create for others, and is even improving his subpar defense.
Booker made it to the league at the tender age of 19. Still, he averaged almost 14 points per game on 42% shooting on his rookie season, proving that he was a different kind of talent.
This season, he’s averaging 26.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game on 48/36/91 shooting and a true shooting percentage of .617. Sadly, those numbers haven’t always translated into success on the court.
In fact, Booker holds a horrid 91-233 record throughout his 5-year career in the NBA which would be good for a 28% winning percentage. He’s yet to make the playoffs for the first time, and that’s not likely to change this season, as they sit 6 games behind the 8th-seeded Memphis Grizzlies.
Booker even almost missed the All-Star Game this season despite being one of the most prolific and efficient scorers in the league. He just doesn’t get enough praise because of the team he’s playing for. He’s totally wasting his talent in the desert.
The Phoenix Suns have done a terrible job surrounding Booker with talent. They’ve also had plenty of bad luck, i.e Josh Jackson and the Deandre Ayton PED suspension – but they’ve also made quite questionable decisions during the Draft.
We already saw D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns teaming up in Minnesota. Booker, the third Musketeer, would be wise to try and force a move out of the Suns, either to join his friends and create an offensive juggernaut up north or to try and play for a contender.
Booker is just too good to continue struggling like that. He’s got a Kobe Bryant-ish offensive repertoire, elite footwork, a great work ethic, and the smoothest jump shot you’ll find. C’mon, Devin, do the right thing and call your agent right now.