Devin Booker’s first few years in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns were pretty tough, as he didn’t have any help alongside him on the court. But over the past few years, he’s gotten a chance to play with some of the best players in the game.
The first star player the Suns paired Booker up with was Chris Paul, and while they ultimately came up short in their quest to win a title, the two played some great basketball together. Looking back on their time in Phoenix, it’s clear Devin appreciates his bond with CP3.
Booker loved being Paul’s teammate
The Suns traded for Paul from the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, and he quickly helped transform Phoenix into a title contender. The Suns finished the season with a 51-21 record and made it all the way to the Finals, but they ultimately came up short.
After two more seasons in which the Suns failed to meet expectations, Paul was traded. That didn’t change his relationship with DBook, though, and the superstar guard revealed how appreciative he was to be able to spend time playing alongside CP3.
“He’s one of those guys that is obsessed with the game, too,” Devin said on The Old Man & The Three. “What did coach say? It was downloading his brain? I’m always loading, that really is how I am, especially around the people that I have a high respect for. I’ll sit there and listen to every story he has to tell me and every moment that he’s been through. You develop a relationship that’s bigger than basketball.”
A dominant duo for the Suns
Ultimately, Booker and Paul’s three-season stint together will be remembered more for their failures than their successes. The Suns lost in six games to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals and then suffered crushing playoff defeats in the ensuing two years.
Despite their playoff failures, CP3 appeared rejuvenated alongside DBook, as he seemed to be in the downturn of his career before landing with the Suns. Booker also managed to elevate his game to another level, thanks in large part to Paul’s playmaking s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s.
The pair couldn’t reach the top of the mountain, though, and when Chris took a step back in the 2022-23 season, the Suns decided to move on from him. Booker didn’t consider that the end of their relationship, though, and the two have remained close friends since the move.
Phoenix certainly could have used CP3’s playmaking this year, although it’s worth noting he struggled through the campaign with the Golden State Warriors. It’s a shame these two couldn’t win it all together, but it’s clear they still had a great time playing alongside each other.