Devin Booker’s ascent to the pinnacle of the NBA’s shooting guard ranks now appears to have hit a snag. Following the Phoenix Suns’ unexpected sweep by the Minnesota Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, doubts have arisen about Booker’s standing as the premier two-guard in the league. Despite Edwards not yet matching Booker’s accolades such as his four All-Star selections and one All-NBA nod, the sweep of the Suns and his current success against the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, has cast a shadow over Booker’s status. Booker’s season, much like the Suns’, has been characterized by a mix of highs and lows.

Booker, who signed a four-year, $221,008,000 supermax contract with the Suns in July 2022, will have a cap hit of $49,350,000 for 2024-25.

In November 2018, during a challenging third season with the struggling Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference, Devin Booker made a confident prediction: a superteam would assemble around him. His wish came true when Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal joined forces to form the Suns’ formidable “Big 3.”

Reflecting on Booker’s journey, Beal remarked, “It’s remarkable to witness his development, especially considering I’m just a few years older than him. He’s truly reached an elite level of play.”

“It’s thrilling to contemplate that it can only improve from here, and that’s a bit intimidating to admit. I’m eager to witness his continued growth because I’ll keep pushing him relentlessly until he reaches the level we all know he’s capable of tapping into. Whatever that pinnacle may be, because he still has room to enhance. He can still evolve, he can still refine his game, just like I can, just like everyone else can. But I truly believe his potential is boundless. He’s only just scratching the surface, and people are starting to recognize and respect his abilities, understanding that he has the capacity to lead a team.”

Devin Booker’s journey to superstardom and his rise to one of basketball’s elite players was far from smooth. The Phoenix Suns endured grueling seasons while the young Booker swiftly established himself as the team’s standout performer, as recounted by former Sun Tyson Chandler.

“I recall the general manager (Ryan McDonough) asking me, ‘What’s your take?'” Chandler recounted on the ‘All the Smoke’ podcast. “And I told him straight up, ‘The best player you have on your roster is that kid you drafted, Devin Booker.’ And he was taken aback, saying, ‘Really? What about (Bledsoe and Knight)?’ I replied, ‘They’re good. But I’m telling you, among me, them, and the rest of this roster, he’s better than all of us. He’s the best player you’ve got.'”

Booker’s journey, along with that of the Suns, gradually smoothed out. In the 2019-20 season in the Orlando “Bubble,” Booker led the Suns to an 8-0 record, including a memorable game-winning shot over the LA Clippers—a top contender for the NBA championship—featuring Paul George.

During this period, Booker was recognized as a rising star. With the addition of seasoned veteran Chris Paul to the Suns’ roster, Booker became the highest-scoring player ever in their maiden playoff campaign (601 points), culminating in an NBA Finals appearance. The following season, he earned a spot on the All-NBA First Team.

The acquisition of Kevin Durant further elevated Booker’s game. In 2023, he became the first player since Michael Jordan to score at least 300 points in the first nine games of a playoff run, achieving this feat with a remarkable 70% true shooting percentage—the best-ever recorded.

With a smug expression, Devin Booker turned to The Arizona Republic’s Greg Moore when asked if he had truly arrived as an NBA player. Whatever he said in response evidently served as inspiration for his impressive performance in the 2023-24 season.

“I’ve felt like I’ve been there since ’96,” Devin Booker confidently declared. In the 2023-24 season, he unveiled his Nike “Book 1” signature shoe, garnering attention for its style and comfort, with John Voita and Trevor Booth showcasing them at Suns games. The shoe’s release saw impressive success, with sell-outs on the SNKRS app.

However, despite the excitement surrounding his shoe launch, Booker’s on-court performance didn’t match the hype. Let’s not overlook his achievements: at 27 years old, he was one of only three players in the regular season to rank among the top 6 in scoring (27.1 PPG) and the top 11 in assists (6.9 per game), alongside Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic. He was named Western Conference Player of the Month in January, showcasing impressive statistics and shooting percentages.

While many Suns fans may recall the ups and downs of the season, it’s essential to highlight Booker’s exceptional moments. Over a three-game stretch, he averaged 50.1 points on 65.1% shooting, surpassing Michael Jordan for the highest field-goal percentage by a player averaging 50-plus points over three games. He also achieved a rare feat, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to score at least 200 points over four consecutive road games. According to Statmuse, Booker is tied for first with seven 20-point quarters this season.

Nevertheless, Booker’s 2023-24 season was anticipated to be a year of further ascent, positioning him as the heir apparent to Kobe Bryant, whose style of play he emulates. In the previous season, Booker could have reached his second Finals if not for Chris Paul’s injury in Game 2. However, this season, he appeared to lag behind his shooting guard counterpart, 22-year-old Anthony Edwards.