Devin Booker Wanted To Get Drafted By Heat In 2015

Devin Booker said on D’Angelo Russell‘s podcast that he wanted to get drafted by the Miami Heat in the 2015 NBA Draft. 

The Heat selected Justise Winslow with the 10th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, while Booker went to the Phoenix Suns at 13. 

“That’s where I was hoping,” Booker said about going to the Heat. “Cuz Miami was my best workout. And then I remember, I think Pat Riley, he did an interview and he’s like we’re looking for a Klay Thompson-type player. We need to up our shooting. I just shot 40 (percent) in college. I’m like, ‘Oh yeah.’ I’m looking at spots right down there by the arena.”

Booker has established himself as one of the best players in the NBA, while Winslow is not in the NBA anymore. The Heat clearly should have drafted Booker. 

A four-time All-Star, Booker has career averages of 24.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks. He’s made two All-NBA teams. 

Booker averaged 27.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.4 blocks this past season for the Suns while shooting 49.2% from the floor, 36.4% from beyond the arc and 88.6% from the free-throw line. The Kentucky product will make $49.4 million next season.

Booker, who scored 70 points against the Boston Celtics during the 2016-17 season, signed a four-year, $221 million extension with the Suns in July 2022. 

According to NBA insider Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports, the New York Knicks “would be willing to offer almost anything” to the Suns for Booker.

New York has been interested in acquiring Booker since 2020. 

“According to that source, the Knicks have been interested in Booker dating back to Leon Rose’s instatement as team president back in 2020,” Bourguet wrote. “Rose, a former CAA player agent prior to being hired by New York, once served as Booker’s representation, and other Knicks personnel with connections to the 27-year-old Suns star recently put out feelers about his potential interest in coming to New York.”

The Suns are not looking to trade Booker, Kevin Durant or Bradley Beal.