Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker was completely overlooked by NBA general managers for a second consecutive year, receiving zero votes as the league's top shooting guard. The annual GM survey, released ahead of the 2026-27 season, offered a stark reminder of Booker's shifting perception among league executives. This news follows a 123-103 preseason loss to the San Antonio Spurs on October 14. The Suns' only other mention in the extensive 48-question poll was for head coach Jordan Ott, who got votes for best offensive and defensive schemes.
Booker's absence from the voting is a dramatic change. He once ranked highly in this very survey. The survey, which started in the 2002-03 season, asks GMs to vote on the best teams, players, coaches, and offseason moves. They cannot vote for their own team or personnel. For a player of Booker's caliber-a five-time All-Star and one of the NBA's most prolific scorers-this total omission is notable. It suggests a possible reevaluation of his standing, perhaps influenced by team performance or the rise of other elite guards.
Second-year head coach Jordan Ott provided the lone bright spot for Phoenix in the survey. Ott, who led the Suns to a surprising 45-win season and a playoff appearance in his first year, received votes for coaches with the best offensive and best defensive schemes. That's a significant nod for a relatively new coach. However, he finished behind established names. Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle took 47% of the vote for best offense, while the Oklahoma City Thunder's system earned 67% for top defensive schemes. The Suns had no players voted as top in any category, from MVP to most promising young player.
The team is in the middle of its preseason schedule, working through rotations and building chemistry. Their recent results have been a mixed bag. After a 109-107 loss to the Detroit Pistons on October 5 and a 124-117 defeat to the Chicago Bulls on October 7, they bounced back with a 102-98 win over the San Antonio Spurs on October 10. That was followed by the 20-point loss to the same Spurs team just four days later. These games are for evaluation, but consistency is always a target. The team's immediate focus shifts to their next and final preseason test, a home game against the Utah Jazz on October 16.
For Devin Booker, the GM survey is likely just more fuel. Elite competitors often use perceived slights as motivation. His performance in the upcoming season will be the ultimate response. The Suns' preseason concludes against Utah, offering one last chance to fine-tune before the games start counting. The real measure for both Booker and the team won't be in an anonymous survey. It will be in the win column, their offensive efficiency, and their ability to make a deep playoff run. Ott's schematic recognition is promising, but translating that into wins and, finally, some respect for his star player is the next challenge.
