NBA GMs expect big things from Suns' Booker this season

By Chris Gabel
Published

First it was LeBron James, and now it's the rest of the NBA.

After James this summer said Devin Booker is a future All-Star, the Suns second-year guard was voted most likely to have a breakout season in the annual NBA GM survey.

Booker garnered 31 percent of the vote, followed in by reigning Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns of the Timberwolves (13.8 percent. Pacers forward Myles Turner (10.3 percent), Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (6.9 percent) and T-Wolves forward Andrew Wiggins (6.9 percent) filled out the top 5.

"It's a big statement," Booker said Tuesday. "But I wouldn't be able to do it without my teammate. ... I'm not trying to live up to somebody else's expectations. I'm just trying to go out there and play my best every time I step on the floor. That's my goal."

Booker, who turns 20 at the end of the month and has declared himself the best teenager in the world -- "Which he probably is," Suns coach Earl Watson said -- averaged 17.4 points per game in 51 starts last season. He  also leads the NBA in scoring with 21.5 points per game this preseason.

"It's good recognition for Book," Watson said, "but if we're not in the postseason and he's not having a great career leading us through the postseason and winning championships, he'll tell you himself he won't be satisfied."

In the same survey, Suns forward Marquese Chriss was voted fifth on the list of biggest steals in the most recent NBA Draft. The Suns took Chriss seventh after a draft-night trade with the Kings.