Devin Booker Left Off ESPN Top Ten List

Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker didn't make the cut for ESPN's top ten players list.

PHOENIX -- Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker has elevated himself to star status since stepping on the professional stage in 2015. Since his arrival to the desert, the once wide-eyed Kentucky shooter has transformed himself into one of the league's best scorers. 

He's also transformed Phoenix to a top destination in the NBA, as stars such as Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal specifically sought the Valley out in their trade demands. 

The Suns are unquestionably better thanks to Booker, who is widely regarded as the best two guard in the game. Most consider him to be a top ten player (he rarely escapes the 6-10 range), though ESPN's recent list went a bit different. 

150 of their staff ranked players ahead of the 2023-24 season, and while Durant landed at No. 7 on the list, Booker was left out of the top ten after finishing at No. 10 last season.

The reasoning on why he fell one spot seemed fairly weak.

"On the verge of turning 27, traditionally looked at as the age when players enter their prime, Booker is a top-10-caliber talent. A dangerous scorer who has grown as a playmaker, Booker is simply one of the best the league has to offer, but the addition of star guard Bradley Beal could cap Booker's usage in 2023-24," wrote Dave McMenamin.

ESPN's Top Ten for 2023-24

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
2. Nikola Jokic
3. Joel Embiid
4. Luka Doncic
5. Steph Curry
6. Jayson Tatum
7. Kevin Durant
8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
9. LeBron James
10. Anthony Davis

It's tough to debate most of those names, though Gilgeous-Alexander's presence brought some discussion.

Devin Booker at age 26:

— 1 NBA Finals appearance
— 1 first-team All-NBA pick
— Three-time NBA All-Star
— NBA all-rookie first-team
— Led #Suns to franchise-best 64 wins
— Most points by a player EVER in their first postseason run

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at age 25:

— 1… pic.twitter.com/KUZCdPypcM

— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) October 12, 2023

Booker is fresh off a historic postseason run where he elevated his game to new levels despite having Durant still settling in his new surroundings and rather lackluster supporting cast behind him.