The Phoenix Suns have been pretty quiet during this offseason so far, and with the 2024-25 NBA regular season about a month away from beginning. There is pressure on the Phoenix Suns to at least get to the second round of the NBA Playoffs, something they have not done since their “Big Three” of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal have been together. As a result, there are questions about which one of these three players will still be in Phoenix if this season ends in disappointment. For Phoenix to get where it wants to go Booker will have to level up his skillset.
How Devin Booker Can Level Up His Skillset
Improving As A Playmaker
One of the biggest weaknesses of Phoenix’s roster has been the lack of a true point guard in the starting lineup. Phoenix needs a floor general to help them be in the right position on the court. While the addition of Tyus Jones will take some pressure off Booker, however, he will still have plenty of playmaking responsibilities.
Booker has continually improved as a playmaker and will need to continue to do that to help Phoenix make a deep playoff run. In addition, Booker will probably have to become more of a facilitator this season than a scorer. Last season, he averaged 6.9 assists per game (a new career high), expect his assists will hover around the same range however, playing more as an on-ball threat will help Booker’s offensive gravity and overall playmaking. This should help the Suns to have a more balanced offense that is hard for opposing teams to gameplan for.
Improving Chemistry with Durant and Beal
During the summer Booker and Kevin Durant got to play together for Team USA Men’s Basketball in the Olympic Games. During the Olympics, it seemed like their chemistry continued to improve. Additionally, Booker continuing to improve his chemistry with Bradley Beal would put the Suns in great shape to be one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
Improving their chemistry will help them be in the right positions on the floor and help them create wide-open high– percentage shooting opportunities for their teammates. Health has been the biggest factor in why Booker, Durant, and Beal have not been able to play a lot of games together. As a result, that makes the offseason chemistry development even more important. Ultimately, if they can get that worked out there should not be much stopping Phoenix from competing for a title.
Becoming A Defensive Menace
While playing for Team USA Booker became a defensive specialist for them. In addition, he took on the opposing team’s best player and was arguably the best defensive player on a loaded roster. Booker bringing that defensive tenacity to Phoenix, will make this team one of the best defensive teams in the league.
The Suns need more defensive-minded players on their team, and if Booker can be that type of player for Phoenix and add these things to his skillset nothing will stop this team from leveling up and becoming legitimate title contenders.
