PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker was left off the Western Conference’s list of All-Star reserve players, limiting his career total to just four selections in ten seasons.
The omission was somewhat surprising given Booker’s reputation as one of the league’s top shooting guards. However, the Suns’ struggles in the first half of the 2024-25 season likely played a role, even though teammate Kevin Durant secured a starting spot for the West.
“Obviously something that I wanted to be a part of, but definitely not going to complain about taking a week to regroup with the family,” said Booker, as quoted by The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin.
“It’s always going to be a conversation every year—who got snubbed, who didn’t—there are a lot of people deserving. That’s that. … It’s tough, there’s so many talented players in the league now, so you could build a case probably for three or four guys on each side that have a legitimate case of being an All-Star.”
Before the roster announcement, Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer made a strong case for Booker:
“Book’s one of the great 2-guards in our league right now. What he’s done this season as a scorer, as a playmaker, as a leader. He’s clearly in our minds an All-Star and hopefully the other coaches see and respect what he’s done,” Budenholzer said.
“This season, it’s never easy, but that guy, he’s one of the best players in our league, so I don’t see how he’s not an All-Star.”
Unfortunately for Booker, the final decision didn’t go in his favor.
