The Phoenix Suns have been one of the NBA's most surprising stories this season, defying preseason expectations and playing their way into the thick of the Western Conference playoff picture. But despite the team’s success, there’s a real possibility they won’t have a single representative at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
That includes Devin Booker - the face of the franchise and, realistically, the Suns’ best shot at landing someone in Indianapolis next month.
Booker is no stranger to All-Star weekend, with four selections already under his belt. But this year, he’s sitting firmly on the bubble. ESPN’s Zach Kram and Tim Bontemps both placed Booker in the “maybe” category, with Bontemps acknowledging the Suns as “the league’s best story” but stopping short of locking Booker in as a West reserve.
Not everyone agrees with that cautious take, though.
Bill Simmons Has Booker in His All-Star Picks
Bill Simmons, never shy about sharing his All-Star opinions, made his Western Conference selections public in a recent Instagram video - and Booker made the cut.
Simmons tabbed Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Nikola Jokić, and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards as his no-doubt starters. Rounding out the first five were Steph Curry and Luka Dončić - the latter added “begrudgingly,” Simmons admitted, but included nonetheless.
When it came to reserves, Simmons showed some love to the Valley. He placed Booker alongside former Sun Kevin Durant, now suiting up for the Houston Rockets. Also making his reserve list: Jamal Murray, Alperen Şengün, Victor Wembanyama, Deni Avdija, and Julius Randle.
That’s a group that’s sure to spark debate, but Booker’s inclusion isn’t out of place. His numbers are strong, and his impact on the Suns’ offense remains undeniable.
What’s Holding Booker Back?
If Booker doesn’t make it to Indy, it won’t be due to a lack of talent or production. But there are two knocks on his résumé this season that could hurt his All-Star case: injuries and outside shooting.
He’s missed four games so far - three in December with a groin injury and another on Jan. 15 due to an ankle issue. The Suns went 1-2 in his December absence, a reminder of how important he is to their success. Still, in a stacked Western Conference, even a few missed games can make a difference when All-Star spots are being debated.
Then there’s the 3-point shooting. Booker is hitting just 30.3% from deep this season - a career low and well below his lifetime mark of 35.1%. For a player who’s often leaned on to space the floor and create offense in crunch time, that dip is noticeable.
He’s also averaging 3.3 turnovers per game, his highest mark since the 2019-20 season. That uptick comes with the territory, though, as Booker has taken on more ball-handling responsibilities in the Suns’ offense.
Still an All-Star Caliber Season
Outside of those blemishes, Booker’s numbers tell the story of a player still performing at an elite level. He’s putting up 25.2 points, 6.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and nearly a steal per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. He’s been the engine behind Phoenix’s surprising surge, and his ability to control pace, create shots, and lead in late-game situations remains top-tier.
So while he may not be a lock, Booker absolutely belongs in the All-Star conversation. And with voices like Simmons backing him, there’s still a real chance he hears his name called when the reserves are announced.
Whether or not he makes it, one thing’s clear: Devin Booker is still playing like one of the best guards in the game - and he’s doing it for one of the NBA’s most compelling teams this season.