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Phoenix Suns: 5 Goals For Devin Booker In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Sep 16, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker looks on before throwing out the first pitch for the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker looks on before throwing out the first pitch for the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Devin Booker (Kentucky) reacts as he walks to the stage after being selected as the number thirteen overall pick to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Average 17 Minutes Per Game

Rookies haven’t exactly thrived in Phoenix over the last few years. Archie Goodwin averaged 10.3 minutes in his first season. Alex Len only managed 8.6 as a rookie due to injury problems and foul trouble. T.J. Warren earned 15.4 minutes per game last season, making him a slight outlier. For Booker to continue the trend, 17 minutes a game seems about right.

It’s unlikely that this happens, especially since he’ll have competition with Sonny Weems and Archie Goodwin as the first guard off the bench. But that’s exactly why this should be Booker’s goal; if he’s averaging 17 minutes per game in his rookie season, it means he’s proven himself and moved ahead of Goodwin and Weems in the rotation.

Again, this will be a tough one for Booker, especially if he has the defensive issues that most rookies have in their first NBA season. But Hornacek isn’t one to say anything he doesn’t mean, so Booker’s shooting ability could very well earn him minutes as a rookie. If Booker is able to spread the floor and prove himself to be more well-rounded than people think, this goal may be attainable after all.

Next: Phoenix Suns: Grading The Offseason

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