{"id":100458,"date":"2024-10-10T14:50:04","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T18:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=100458"},"modified":"2024-10-10T14:50:04","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T18:50:04","slug":"devin-booker-no-longer-top-sg-according-to-nba-gm-survey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/10\/devin-booker-no-longer-top-sg-according-to-nba-gm-survey\/","title":{"rendered":"Devin Booker No Longer Top SG According to NBA GM Survey"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to the recent NBA GM survey<\/a>, Devin Booker<\/a> is the second-best SG in the NBA. Anthony Edwards<\/a> sits at the top, with 33% of the vote, while Booker trails him with 23%. Last season, Booker topped the list with 63%<\/a> of the vote, but a disappointing season for the Phoenix Suns, coupled with a breakout year for Edwards, has seen him fall.<\/p>\n

Devin Booker No Longer Top SG According to NBA GM Survey<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Booker Falls to Number Two<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Although the Phoenix Suns<\/a> were swept at the hands of Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> in the first round, Booker still had an excellent individual season. He missed 14 games through injury but averaged 27.1 points<\/a> in 68 games played.\u00a0 This was the sixth-highest in the NBA, tied with his teammate Kevin Durant<\/a>, earning him All-NBA Third Team honours.<\/p>\n

Not only did he enjoy great scoring success, but he also took on the extra responsibility as a point guard. Sharing the role with Bradley Beal<\/a>, Booker averaged a career-high 6.9 assists per game. With the signings of point guards Tyus Jones<\/a> and Monte Morris<\/a>, that number will almost certainly reduce this year. However, it does open the door for more scoring opportunities and an even higher points average.<\/p>\n

Booker also gained plenty of respect in the basketball world following his outings at the Paris Olympics with Team USA<\/a>. Many questioned Steve Kerr’s move to make him a starter, but he became one of the most important players on the roster, and they won gold. His head coach named him the “unsung MVP”<\/a> of the group. His willingness to facilitate and defend while providing clutch buckets went a long way in the team\u2019s success. Edwards also had a strong Olympics campaign, averaging 12.8 points<\/a> off the bench.<\/p>\n

Edwards\u2019 Leap <\/strong><\/h3>\n

While Booker had a great season, Edwards produced just as impressive a campaign and had the team success to back it up. The shift in opinion from GMs is likely due to the sensational rise of Edwards rather than any underperformance of Booker.<\/p>\n

In fact, during the regular season, Booker eclipsed Edwards in all stats except rebounds and steals. Edwards averaged 25.9 points and 5.1 assists over 79 games. Booker was also more efficient from the field, with a 49.2 FG% compared to 46.1% from Edwards.\u00a0 The Timberwolves star was named to the All-NBA Second Team.<\/p>\n

However, Edwards was a crucial leader as the Timberwolves advanced to the Western Conference Finals, with plenty of stock placed in team achievements and postseason success. The 23-year-old outperformed Booker in the opening round as his side swept the Suns. Throughout the 2024 playoffs<\/a>, Edwards averaged 27.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists as they navigated through the Suns and former champions Denver Nuggets<\/a>, before eventually falling to eventual NBA finalists Dallas Mavericks<\/a> in five games.<\/p>\n

Edwards\u2019 ranking as the best shooting guard is a huge climb from last season\u2019s survey. Booker led the way by a considerable distance, with Stephen Curry<\/a>, primarily a point guard, in second. Edwards came tied third with just 7% of the votes alongside Luka Doncic<\/a> and Shai-Gilgeous Alexander<\/a>. Despite his lack of votes in this category, he was voted the likeliest to have a breakout season, with 23% ahead of Cade Cunningham<\/a>. He had more than a breakout season, establishing himself as a household name and one of the best players in the NBA.<\/p>\n