Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker has been considered the best shooting guard in the NBA for years, but Anthony Edwards has arrived.

HoopsHype was recently listed Minnesota Timberwolves’ rising superstar top two in league heading into 2024-25 season with Booker second and The Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell third on his list of the top 30 shooting guards.

HoopsHype wrote: “It doesn’t matter if Edwards takes over The best shooting guard in the NBA todayDevin Booker had a great 2023-24 season, averaging over 27 points per game and nearly seven assists per night while often being asked to be the Suns’ second-string shooting guard, as well as their point guard due to the team’s poor roster. It’s not like Booker didn’t make the playoffs either, as he put up 27.5 points, 6.0 assists and 1.8 steals on 49.2 percent shooting against a very strong Minnesota team.

“At the same time, he was outside the top 30 players in the league according to both VORP and BPMSo placing him second on this list isn’t a huge insult. Overall, Booker remains one of the best shooting guards in the league in our opinion (for the record, the #2 through #4 spots on this list were extremely close in our voting).

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) pressures Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the second half at Footprint Center in Phoenix on November 1, 2023.Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) pressures Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the second half at Footprint Center in Phoenix on November 1, 2023.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) pressures Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the second half at Footprint Center in Phoenix on November 1, 2023.

“So seeing the former Kentucky standout reclaim the title of second-best guard in the league in 2024-25 wouldn’t surprise us either. But we believe Edwards will hold that spot for years to come.”

Edwards led the T-Wolves to a blowout win over Booker and the Suns in the first round. Minnesota upset the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals with a huge comeback in Game 7 at Ball Arena to reach the conference finals before losing to the The Dallas Mavericks.

The 2023-24 season began with the Suns as a championship contender, with Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Booker formed a Big 3 as the T-Wolves were coming off a second straight first-round playoff exit.

Oh, how things have changed in less than a year.

Edwards is that guy now. He’s the leader of a championship contender facing the challenge of continuing to play at an elite level, improving and leading Minnesota back to the Western Conference Finals, a place it last reached in 2004 with Kevin Garnett before last season, with a chance to move forward and fight for a championship.

The first overall pick in the 2020 draft has always been very talented and confident. Edwards said he was the No. 1 option for the U.S. team that just won Olympic gold in Paris with Stephen Curry, LeBron JamesKevin Durant and Booker on the list.

He is the Minnesota franchise.

Booker has been that for years in Phoenix.

He has faced the pressure of being a team player and delivered on numerous occasions. He has already played in an NBA Finals in 2021, has been a four-time All-Star and has won two Olympic gold medals.

Booker, talented and competitive, is a proven scorer with a pure jump shot. He started ahead of Edwards at the Olympics, but Edwards is the more gifted player right now.

The Suns have three players on HoopsHype’s list of the top 30 shooting guards for the 2024-25 season: Booker (2nd), Bradley Beal (12th) And Grayson Allen (29th).

HoopsHype wrote: “The Suns made a huge move when they traded for former All-Star Bradley Beal and his massive contract, which runs through the end of the season. 2026-27fully guaranteed and with an almost inexplicable no-trade clause. And they did it while already having one of the best shooting guards in the league on their roster.

“The results were far from stellar, as Phoenix struggled all season, partly due to the lack of a traditional point guard on its roster, before being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, a sweep at the hands of the Timberwolves,” HoopsHype wrote.

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Moses Brown (10) in the first half at Footprint Center.Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Moses Brown (10) in the first half at Footprint Center.

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Moses Brown (10) in the first half at Footprint Center.

“Phoenix did a good job addressing their point guard needs this summer,” adding Tyus Jones And Monte Morris to the roster, a masterstroke given the Suns’ dire need for help at point guard when they only had minimum salary to offer.”

There was then speculation that the Suns might consider Beal as a sixth man now that Jones is on the roster.

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns looks on next to Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at TD Garden on March 14, 2024 in Boston.Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns looks on next to Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at TD Garden on March 14, 2024 in Boston.

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns looks on next to Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at TD Garden on March 14, 2024 in Boston.

Durant is second behind Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum on HoopsHype Top 30 Forwards List for 2024-25 Season. James, ageless, is third.

HoopsHype wrote: “Now the undisputed GOAT of Team USA after becoming the first player to win four Olympic gold medals while also becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant remains near the top of his game, finishing in the Top 10 in MVP voting last season and earning All-NBA 2nd Team honors.

“Durant is decisive, can score baskets against anyone with his uncommon size and length for a forward, and is also a solid rebounder and playmaker. He is also as efficient as they come for a high-volume shooter, averaging 52.3/41.3/85.6 shooting last season despite many of his shot attempts being at an elite level of difficulty.

“He may not be at the level he was in his prime yet, but Durant remains a top-15 player in the game overall, and we don’t expect that to change in 2024-25. We just hope Phoenix’s playmaking acquisitions this summer help solve the Suns’ rotation and positional issues from last year, because few players are as fun to watch on a playoff run as Durant, as evidenced by his two championships and two Finals MVP awards.”

Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) drives past Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) in the first half at Footprint Center in Phoenix on February 13, 2024.Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) drives past Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) in the first half at Footprint Center in Phoenix on February 13, 2024.

Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) drives past Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) in the first half at Footprint Center in Phoenix on February 13, 2024.

Allen is coming off a breakout season in his first year in Phoenix.

The Suns acquired him from Milwaukee in a three-team trade just before training camp last season that sent Deandre Ayton in Portland, Damian Lillard At Roe deerand 7 feet Jusuf Nurkic in Phoenix.

HoopsHype wrote: “Leading the league in three-point percentage last season at 46.1%, Phoenix’s Grayson Allen is now the third Suns guard on this list, which goes some way to explaining the team’s struggles last season.

“Regardless, Allen now sports a career 41.2 percent three-point shooting percentage and one of the best shooting weapons in basketball, making him an elite player for a Suns team that hopes to contend for the title in the coming seasons.”

The Suns didn’t have anyone in HoopsHype’s top 30 point guards or power forwards for the 2024-25 season. HoopsHype hasn’t released its top 30 centers for the 2024-25 season yet, but Nurkic is likely to be on the list.

Got an opinion on the current state of the Suns? Contact Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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This article was originally published on the Arizona Republic: Who did you choose: Anthony Edwards or Devin Booker, the best shooting guard in the NBA?

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