Devin Booker has had a turbulent NBA career. As a member of the Phoenix Suns, he experienced every facet of life as a player, from promising rookie to franchise mainstay, from the lows of a struggling team to the highs of a Finals contender. However, his trajectory could have been very different.
A huge Kobe Bryant fan, many are familiar with Booker’s draft standing. Much like his idol, Booker was selected 13th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2015 NBA draft. But that wasn’t the destination he envisioned coming out of Kentucky. While he was a consensus lottery pick, his exact ceiling was uncertain in an elite draft class that included some of today’s best players. Yet, for all his wishful thinking, he could have been a bit higher.
Before the draft, Booker was hoping to be selected by the Miami Heat with the 10th overall pick. A year after their fourth straight NBA Finals appearance, the loss of LeBron James had hit them hard. As a result, the Heat went from perennial contender to lottery prospect. But with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade still on the roster, Miami had the pieces to rebuild quickly.
NBA TRADE NEWS AND RUMORS: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat: The latest news
Considering the player Booker has become, it’s not hard to imagine that Miami could have gotten back into contention much sooner, even before the Jimmy Butler era.
What if on draft day
Speaking on former teammate D’Angelo Russell’s podcast, Booker explained how he pictured himself putting on a Heat jersey. “That’s where I was hoping. Miami was my best practice. I think Pat Riley even did an interview where he said they were looking for a Klay Thompson-type player, someone who improves his shooting. I had just shot 40 percent from the field in college, so I was like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s it.’ I was watching sports right there by the arena.”
Reflecting on the career that could have been
A Valley star, Booker is now a regular at the All-Star Game, having made four appearances. With career averages of 24.3 points per game, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, it’s safe to say that Phoenix’s investment has paid off.
Last season, one of his best individual seasons, saw him average 27.1 points per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
NBA TRADE NEWS AND RUMORS: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat: The latest news
His career with the Suns has taken many turns so far. From the struggles of a bottom-of-the-table player to the heights of a perennial title contender, Booker has seen it all. Yet, during that time, the Miami Heat have made multiple Conference Finals appearances and two trips to the NBA Finals.
One can only imagine what Devin Booker, paired with those Heat teams, could have potentially accomplished.
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