In today’s NBA, Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker has established himself as one of the best offensive players. Although he had high potential when he first came into the league in 2015, it was unexpected that he would emerge as potentially the best player in Suns history. Booker is now widely recognized for his talent and ability to score the basketball.
Since his career started, Booker has gradually developed his shot-making ability. He finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in his first season in the NBA, averaging 13.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists. In his second season, he immediately started averaging 22.1 points per game and scored his career-high 70 points against the Boston Celtics.
Booker improved season after season and is now a four-time All-Star. He’s also the Suns’ all-time leading scorer, with 16,452 points, which he set during the 2024-25 season.
His fellow 2015 draftee, D’Angelo Russell, credited his hard work and dedication to improving, becoming one of the best current players. Russell spoke about the Phoenix Suns star in the recent episode of his show, “The Backyard Podcast.”
“We used to compete in pre-draft head-on, dude couldn’t dribble for real, and now he’s a pro. He’s one of the few guys I watched develop into who he is. Just watching him elevate his game every year,” Russell said. “Watching him develop all these things and his game and it’s just like ‘Now y’all comparing this guy to Kobe?’ It’s recognizing and appreciating it and also being motivated by it.”
D’Angelo Russell on Devin Booker’s development:
“He’s one of the few guys I watched develop into who he is. Just watching him elevate his game every year. We used to compete in pre-draft head-on — dude couldn’t dribble for real and now he’s a pro. Watching him develop all these… pic.twitter.com/s3eDtZa1OF
— Booker Muse (@DevinBookerMuse) September 12, 2025
Booker is now an accomplished star who has helped lead the Suns back to the NBA Finals in 2021. Although they didn’t win it all, it was a sign that he’s the right player to build a team around for a championship.
Devin Booker predicted to attract suitors next season
The Phoenix Suns are moving on from their attempted Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets, while Beal’s contract was bought out and was signed by the Los Angeles Clippers. This left Booker as the only star in the desert.
No one is expecting the Suns to be an amazing team next season. This is why NBA insider Kevin O’Connor predicts that Booker will be a hot target for opposing teams before the trade deadline.
“If I’m making one prediction with this team, we’re gonna see multiple teams make massive trade offers for Devin Booker,” O’Connor said. “He becomes trade eligible on January 10. I think you’re gonna see a team like the Pistons make a big offer for him. They’re gonna try to take a leap in the Eastern Conference. They have salaries; they can put together Tobias Harris, Duncan Robinson.”
O’Connor also mentioned the San Antonio Spurs as a team that could potentially make a move for Booker.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
