Paolo Banchero and 2 other players who overtook Devin Booker this season

It would be fair to say that the 2025-26 season was not the best of Devin Booker's career. Not that his play was particularly bad either, he just struggled to hit the highs we have gotten used to.

So although it is painful to admit, there are a number of other superstars in the NBA who have now overtaken the Suns' best player.

Booker has chance to reclaim his place during prime run

Not that this is all bad, with Booker still only 29-years-old and very much in his prime. This was a transition year, and the best could still be yet to come.

Cade Cunningham

It is hard to argue Booker's case on this one, the Detroit Pistons having won 60 games and secured top spot in the Eastern Conference behind the 24-year-old offensive powerhouse that is Cade Cunningham.

It might have taken them seven games to get past the Orlando Magic and another player on this list, but the difference when Cunningham was on and off the court was massive.

The Pistons are not complete without him running the show, and about the best compliment you can give Cunningham at this point is how his offensive game has come to replicate that of Booker's.

The main difference, and it gives Cunningham the edge right now, is his ability to step into all manner of 3-pointers effortlessly. Booker has never quite had that, and this will be a hard spot to take back as a result.

Donovan Mitchell

We can hear the pushback on this one, but it is hard to go against the individual play of Donovan Mitchell right now.

The 29-year-old has elevated both the Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers during his time there, and at this point has the second highest scoring average in Game 1 playoff history after Michael Jordan.

Mitchell is lightning quick and has those couple of "up-and-over" moves with the ball in hand that usually lead to made floaters that is impossible to stop.

Booker failed to rely on a signature move of his own this season, and although making the playoffs was impressive, Mitchell has consistently been leading the Cavaliers to the postseason for a while now. Oh, and he's been an All-Star for seven straight seasons while he's been at it.

Paolo Banchero

How the Magic would love to have a player like Banchero in the spot of Dillon Brooks on their roster, although his teammate may have to do this summer.

Banchero is far from perfect offensively (he might not even be the best player on his own team when Franz Wagner is healthy), but then you see him carry one of the worst playoff offenses we've ever seen in a Game 7 and you understand what the hype is about.

The 23-year-old also has the closest body type in the NBA to LeBron James, and can get to the rim at will. Where he edges Booker is in his two-way abilities.

Not that Booker doesn't defend at a high level from time-to-time, but Banchero can guard opponents in positions one through five, and still give you 40.

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