NBA 2K Backs Up Phoenix Suns Star Devin Booker's Elite Status

The Phoenix Suns are currently gearing up for another 82-game season in which the franchise is expected to compete for a playoff spot yet again.

Franchise player Devin Booker has been in the headlines for a myriad of reasons this offseason, including when officially opting to change his jersey number to 15 for his 12th season.

Booker's on-court presence has been questioned to an extent, as critics claim that his best days are behind him, while proponents point to the strides made as a playmaker and a small margin for error in shooting percentages that would transform his efficiency profile with a bit more luck in the upcoming season.

NBA 2K tends to agree with the latter, as the Kentucky product was handed a 91 overall in the popular basketball simulation video game. This places Booker firmly inside of the 20 best players in the league, and renders him tied with LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Booker's placement here seems trivial at the surface, but is ultimately reinforces that there remains belief that he is still an elite player in the NBA - even in the wake of back-to-back seasons that have been described as underwhelming.

The five-time All-Star has taken strides as a playmaker that have countered the purported steps back as a scorer. Booker has routinely graded well as a playmaker over the last three seasons, particularly in the lane of creating quality three-point looks for teammates. There are areas Booker can certainly improve in, including cutting down on turnovers and putting more of an emphasis on off-ball actions once again. However, he has still transformed into a "tier 2" player in that department over the years. 

Perhaps the most significant responsibility Booker holds this season is in developing rising members of the team such as former lottery selection Khaman Maluach and power forward Koa Peat, who are already being backed by an exceptional coaching staff. Booker must also put together an elevated season in the efficiency department, especially as a three-point shooter. The slim margin of error makes this much more achievable than it appears to be at the surface.

The burden will be high on the star shooting guard this season - at least at the surface - as he is only joined by a singular teammate in the top 100. Second-year Sun Dillon Brooks snuck into the list at an 82 overall.