Three years ago, the Phoenix Suns officially ended their rebuilding phase when they signed Chris Paul. As Melbet Login sports fans noted, Paul’s arrival transformed the team, and more importantly, helped Devin Booker evolve into a more complete player. The duo’s impact was immediate — in their first season together, the Suns reached the NBA Finals, coming just two wins short of the championship.
Though they fell short, it marked a turning point — the Suns were no longer the league’s perennial underdog. However, the years that followed brought new frustrations. The Suns couldn’t capitalize on that momentum and were eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals, exposing glaring weaknesses in their roster. Outside of Booker, the lineup was aging and lacked toughness. It wasn’t until mid-last season that the Suns made a major move, trading Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and more for Kevin Durant — arguably the league’s best pure scorer.
Despite the blockbuster trade, the team once again failed to win it all, with injuries and shallow depth proving costly. Still, Booker was phenomenal — playing some of the best basketball of his career in the playoffs. That elite postseason form prompted Phoenix to make bold changes. Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton were shipped out, and the Suns assembled a new “Big Three” of Booker, Durant, and Bradley Beal, supported by Jusuf Nurkić, Eric Gordon, and Grayson Allen.
The biggest question mark? The absence of a true point guard. It was clear someone among the three stars would need to take on playmaking responsibilities, and Booker stepped up to take the lead guard role. In the season opener against the Warriors — a game hyped as Durant’s return to his former team — it was Booker who stole the spotlight, not only scoring efficiently but also surprising fans with his floor leadership.
Unfortunately, just as he was hitting his stride, Booker suffered an injury. He missed eight of the first ten games, during which the Suns struggled to a 3–5 record — even with both Durant and Beal available in some of those losses. It became crystal clear: Booker isn’t just one piece of the puzzle — he’s the engine. Durant and Beal can score, but Booker is the one who makes the offense flow.
Booker’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. In his first game back, he helped end the team’s losing streak with a win over the red-hot Timberwolves. Since then, the Suns have gone on a seven-game winning streak, climbing to third place in the Western Conference. Notably, Beal hasn’t played a single game during this stretch, and Durant also missed time due to injury. During this run, Booker has looked every bit like the player who dominated last year’s playoffs.
His comeback has been a lifeline for the Suns — without him, the team may have plummeted down the standings. Now, it’s clear Booker has embraced his new role and playing style. There’s no denying that Paul’s mentorship played a crucial role in his growth — not just in reaching the Finals, but in understanding how a true floor general leads a team.
According to Melbet Login records, the Suns face a tough schedule ahead, including showdowns with the Nuggets and Warriors — both playoff-caliber opponents. Beal’s return remains uncertain, and Durant, now 35 and with a history of major injuries, is being carefully managed. That leaves Booker as the Suns’ most reliable cornerstone — not only because of his performance, but also because he’s the youngest of the Big Three and has the stamina to carry the load.
Though Phoenix’s new trio has yet to play a regular season game together, early chemistry concerns are beginning to fade. The lack of a traditional point guard was once seen as a fatal flaw — but Booker has proven his playmaking is more than serviceable. If he continues this form, Melbet Login users believe the Suns may finally have a real shot at capturing their first NBA title.