Redrafting the fifth pick from the 2015 NBA Draft
By S.W. Guest
Devin Booker
Two seasons into his NBA career, Devin Booker has already proved himself the steal of the 2015 Draft.
Taken 13th overall by the Phoenix Suns, Booker has been exceptional thus far, averaging 13.8 points per game in his rookie year and 18.8 points per game this year. He has done this while shooting 40 percent from the field and just worse than 33 percent from deep, making him one of the most exciting young scorers in the league.
Given how low a profile he kept at the University of Kentucky it is unsurprising so many teams passed him up. But the Magic, who clearly wanted a scorer, would have benefited dramatically from his ability to put the ball in the basket, especially now that they moved on from Victor Oladipo.
Booker offensively is essentially the player the Magic hoped Hezonja would be. And it appears Booker did have some interest in playing in Orlando as a rookie.
Like Hezonja, his defense is not up to much. But if he is able to add some muscle to his 6-foot-6, 206-pound frame in the next couple of years he may prove more effective on the perimeter.
That said, given his ability on the offensive end, Booker will not need to worry too much about defense, especially as he will likely now be the cornerstone of a Phoenix team facing a rebuild from its current rebuild.
Had Rob Hennigan drafted him, he would not be scratching around looking for scoring help right now. As, given time and room to develop, Booker has future All-Star written all over him.