The Phoenix Suns have had a disappointing season - and as we enter the final stretch of the regular season - a fascinating and unexpected discourse has opened up on why exactly that is. Some believe that there's not enough depth to compete with the best teams, while others are unhappy with the job head coach Mike Budenholzer has done. This guy looking like an ideal replacement this offseason.
There's probably elements of truth to both of those reasons, but the one that has caught many by surprise is the apparent attitude of Kevin Durant, and how it has negatively impacted Booker's play. Durant might not have the same style as Chris Paul for example - and that is missed - but it was worth noting that he felt the need to come out and publically defend himself, before then deleting it.
Booker sure sounds like his old self with latest All-Star remarks.
Booker of course wasn't selected for the midseason exhibition, which was another depressing reminder of how far from relevancy the Suns have fallen. They might not even make the play-in tournament - and although Booker has had some nice showings this season - nobody complained about the fact he didn't make it.
In fact it says more about his season as a whole that - when LeBron James pulled out so late that there was no time to bring in a replacement - more people were outraged for Norman Powell than they were Booker. Now the prospect of the All-Star game once again changing to include an "All-Snub" roster in 2026 has been mooted, but Booker's response to that one was brief.
That was in speaking with the always excellent Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, ahead of an important stretch of games for the franchise. If this All-Snub idea was to take off - and had it been in play for this season - Booker absolutely would have made the team. As a known and marketable star he ticks all of the boxes, although being selected to that team means he wasn't snubbed, right?
That part is confusing, but the storyline wouldn't have ended there. Booker was the player who gave up the most while playing for Team USA at the Olympic Games last summer, and his "I'll Do It " mentality helped one of the best rosters of all time to win a gold medal. Imagine him leading a group of misfits against the very stars he took a step back in order for them to shine.
Going against Durant - the only Suns' All-Star this season and once again a starter - would be a fascinating subplot as well, but Booker doesn't seem interested in any of this. He just wants to see the NBA "bring that 24 best players, man", with the coaches and players making the decisions. This would take the fan vote out entirely.
This is also exactly the kind of answer you would expect from Booker, which is hopefully a sign that he will soon be back to his best in The Valley. This has been a testing season - but if nothing else - the Suns will always have Devin Booker. On his way to becoming the best player in franchise history. That is not a bad place to start.