We’ve got to be honest here, maybe Devin Booker landed as high as he did (third) on this list because of what he means to The Valley and reputation alone.
After all, relative to expectations Jordan Goodwin and Mark Williams (two guys he beat out to claim this spot) easily had better 2025-26 campaigns. But it is never that simple when it comes to the franchise cornerstone.
Booker continues to keep Phoenix relevant in new era of NBA power
We know the 29-year-old is paid ridiculous sums of money to play basketball for the Suns, so it is not like he is going to get a lot of sympathy. But 12 months ago he would have watched Kevin Durant walk out the door and known that his championship window in Phoenix was closed for now. It is still not even a guarantee that it will ever open again, but you wouldn’t have known that from the way he carried himself.
Booker acting the same as he always has (at least since the 2021 NBA Finals anyway), and although that leadership style can be viewed by some fans as passive, it was exactly what the Suns needed as they surprisingly made the playoffs once more.
He left the trash talk and nightly tone setting to Dillon Brooks, instead electing to make the most of his situation and once again be everything Phoenix needed him to be on and off the court.
Number 10 -Â Jamaree Bouyea took his NBA career off life support
Number 9 -Â Brian Gregory banished the 'Michigan Guy' tag
Number 8 -Â Grayson Allen finally fulfilled his destiny in Phoenix
Number 7Â -Â Jordan Ott came along at the perfect time for the Suns
Number 6 -Â Oso Ighodaro finally found his groove in Phoenix
Number 5 -Â Mark Williams won't be appearing here again
Number 4 - Jordan Goodwin made greatest individual leap in Phoenix
Did he deserve to be an All-Star? Probably not. Did he post career highs in any major statistical categories? No. But the Suns did win 45 games against all the odds, and he was their best player across the whole season. That Brooks eclipsed him in the playoffs did hurt his case to appear higher, but it is also fair to say that he turned water into wine with whatever backcourt partner he had along for the ride.
So good was Booker at co-existing (and indeed thriving) with whatever guard was out there with him, Goodwin and Collin Gillespie were brought back on new deals. The fit with Jalen Green still looks troublesome, yet there were genuine moments to enjoy with both out there. The Suns continue to try and force their superstar to be their floor general as well, even though that is not the best use of his talents.
At a time of upheaval and a new head coach and General Manager combo, both of which have Michigan State ties, coming to Phoenix, Booker remained the elite constant. There is no Suns basketball without him, and as long as he is in town the team will be relevant. The only reason he doesn’t top this list is because of the insanely high standards that everybody has for him.
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