Although they exceeded expectations during the remarkable 2025-2026 season, the Phoenix Suns could be without a representative at this year’s NBA All-Star Game.
Despite a breakout season following trade acquisition Dillon Brooks, the one Suns player most likely to make the 2026 All-Star Game remains the face of the franchise Devin Booker.
Depending on who you ask, he’s on the outside looking in at a spot in the Western Conference. ESPN’s Zach Kram listed Booker as “on the bubble” to be named to what would be his fifth All-Star selection in early December. Are ESPN colleague Tim Bontemps also recently put Booker on bubble watch for the All-Star Game, but softened the blow a bit by calling the Suns “the best story in the league.”
Are there any NBA experts who think Book should get the credit?
Bill Simmons has Devin Booker as one of his picks for the All-Star Game
While ESPN’s NBA writers aren’t optimistic about Book’s chances of getting All-Star number five, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons didn’t echo their sentiment that Book is in the bubble.
In one video posted to InstagramSimmons names Oklahoma City Thunder point guard and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, three-time MVP and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, as well as Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards as his three locks in the Western Conference.
Simmons rounded out his starting five with veteran marksman Steph Curry and ‘reluctantly’ says Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic should be included. “I don’t think it’s all that controversial,” he said.
His All-Star reserve picks in the West may rile up some fans around the league, but Simmons put Booker in that mix, along with former Sun Kevin Durant, now with the Houston Rockets.
His other backup picks West: Jamal Murray, Alperen Sengun, Victor Wembenyama, Deni Avdija and Julius Randle.
If anything will keep Booker from All-Star recognition this season as he leads the Suns into an unexpected playoff hunt, it’s injury woes and three-point shooting.
Booker missed three games in December due to a groin injury. The Suns won 1-2 in those games. He also missed the January 15 game against the Detroit Pistons due to an ankle injury.
Okay, so four games shouldn’t be enough to knock Booker out of All-Star contention, but in a league this loaded with talent, the margins are razor thin.
Therefore, Booker’s regression from beyond the arc is a legitimate wart on his resume. Booker is a career 35.1% shooter from long range and is converting just 30.3% of his 3-point attempts this season, which is by far the worst of his career.
To be fair, there’s really nothing else about Booker’s game that conflicts with his All-Star case, unless you want to nitpick his 3.3 turnovers per game. That’s Book’s highest turnover average since the 2019-20 season as he takes on more ball-handling duties within the offense.
Outside of that, Booker is averaging 25.2 points, 6.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game while making 45.4% of his field goals overall at the time of writing.
Book may end up as an All-Star snub, but at least Simmons is giving the Suns standout the recognition he deserves.
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