The Phoenix Suns have made a lot of roster changes this offseason, and how many games they win next season is going to be directly impacted by that. Many over/under predictions at this stage of the summer have them at around 31.5 wins, which would likely not be enough to even make the play-in tournament in a crowded Western Conference.
Then again, the franchise only managed 36 wins last season - and that was with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal along for the ride - and also didn't make the play-in. Fans have already mentally prepared themselves for the losing that is going to come as the Suns re-tool around Devin Booker, and many are excited by the prospect of having a younger and hungrier roster that cares once again.
Book will be an All-Star again if he returns to alpha status.
It wasn't particularly surprising to see Booker not named an All-Star last season, but that should have given fans in The Valley an indication just how far they've fallen in the eyes of fans around the league. You would have thought that Booker was popular enough to get in there through fan vote alone, while he did still average 25.6 points and dish out a career high 7.1 assists each night.
But because Durant was on the roster - and he was named an All-Star - it overshadowed and almost cancelled out all of the good that Booker did. That's because - much like when he played for Team USA - he had no problem taking a back seat when required, doing whatever it took around Durant's scoring exploits to help the Suns win. Unfortunately, they didn't do much winning.
That is going to be the case again this season, but there is now one massive difference. Everything is once again going to be tailored to Booker, right down to Jalen Green potentially taking on point guard duties to begin the season. If there was one thing that derailed Booker when trying to be the do-it-all scorer who had no problem jawing at opponents in the past, it was turning him into a facilitator.
5 Years ago Today - Devin Booker’s game winner over Paul George pic.twitter.com/TXxYW9bjux
— Lukas (@KBsLakeShow24) August 4, 2025
The All-Star game is a popularity contest as much as anything as well, and we all know how well being an elite scorer resonates with fans. The Suns' preseason slate of games away from the United States also shows that Booker is still in high demand with across the globe, while his signature shoes have proven popular too.
All that is missing then is the very thing that Phoenix can give the 28-year-old in 2025-26. Not the chance to contend - that might take a couple of years - but a roster that each night will be built around his incredible ability to score the basketball. If he can seize that opportunity as he did in the past, it'll be right back to the mid-season exhibition for D-Book.