Potential Fit
As always, all of the following comes with the qualifier that Phoenix’s biggest need is at power foward.
That being said, the Suns are desperate for shooting regardless of postion. Phoenix took the 10th most three-balls in the NBA last season despite being just 20th in percentage. The Suns were near the top of the league in efficiency for the first month of the season, but took a Grand Canyon sized tumble after the trade deadline.
Post-All-Star break, the Suns were last in the league in shooting percentage from beyond the arc. A healthy Brandon Knight (40 percent from deep) is a great step in the right direction, but additional help is desperately needed for an offense often suffocated by spacing issues with any of the other guards on the floor.
That’s where Booker comes in. His shooting percentages might have been slightly inflated from playing on what was essentially an NBA team, but shooting over 40 percent from three-point range as a freshman is nothing to scoff at.
What’s more important is that Booker showcased a high release point and a smooth, repeatable form, which, combined with his height, should allow him to be similarly productive at the next level. Booker can’t play point guard, but Knight and Eric Bledsoe have enough experience running the show that it shouldn’t be much of an issue.
If head coach Jeff Hornacek really wants to have two ball handlers on the floor at all times, Booker is tall enough that after a summer in the weight room, he’ll be able to situationally guard NBA small forwards.
“Defensively, he’s pretty solid.” McDonough told reporters after Booker’s workout. “He’s still got a little ways to go there. He’s young, he’s 18 years old. Physically, he’s able to do it. He’s strong enough, he’s tall enough, he’s long enough.”
With rim protectors like Alex Len and potentially Brandan Wright on the roster, that might be enough. With three other Kentucky guards, all John Calipari protégé’s, Booker would fit right in off the court.
He’s not a perfect fit, but Booker’s such a good shooter, it might not matter.
Next: Conclusion