The Phoenix Suns selected Devin Booker with the 13th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and they think they may have gotten a steal. Booker was considered by many to be the best pure shooter eligible for the draft and although he is just 18 years old (will turn 19 October 30th) the Suns plan to utilize that shooting stroke. Phoenix is hopeful to possibly compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference and Booker may be a pretty big part of that as a rookie, according to NBA.com.
Phoenix missed out on the playoffs a year ago but their hope is that this season their added depth will help them improve on their record. The Suns starting lineup is pretty solid and it was last year too but the drop off when they go to the bench is where they hope the improvement comes.
Booker is unlikely to start as Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight will take the guard spots and P.J. Tucker is the likely starting small forward but he can certainly earn himself some minutes off the bench. Behind Tucker and Knight, Booker will be competing with T.J. Warren and Archie Goodwin for minutes. The biggest advantage that Booker has is shooting and he has shown all offseason that he should be able to make shots as soon as he steps into an NBA game.
Head coach Jeff Hornacek thinks Booker is very advanced for his age and that he should definitely be able to contribute as a rookie. Booker made 12 of his last 22 three point attempts in summer league and has also reportedly lit it up in practice so there is no reason to think he won't be helpful right away. Even at just 18 years old Booker might be the best wing shooter on the Suns roster and with the lethal pick and roll the Suns could potentially have, having a knock down shooter is essential.
Booker played one season at Kentucky and he did nothing but impress. In just 21.5 minutes he averaged 10.0 points per game and made 47 percent of his field goals and 41 percent of his threes. Booker is also an extraordinary athlete and has the tools to be able to hold his own on defense in the NBA so it is not far-fetched at all to think he will be a major contributor to the Suns this season.
