Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Trade Deadline: Every Team’s Most Untouchable Asset

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
25 of 31
Next
Feb 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball up the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball up the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker

The NBA is evolving into a league in which the 3-point shot is paramount. Even players who offer a minimal impact beyond their jumper are excelling, and that makes Phoenix Suns rookie Devin Booker an extremely valuable commodity.

Unless a superstar is included in the trade package, Booker shouldn’t be going anywhere.

Through 48 games, the youngest player in the NBA is averaging 10.6 points in 23.3 minutes of action. Most impressively, he’s doing so on a slash line of .450/.403/.824—marks that are generally reserved for elite shooters.

Booker’s efficiency has dipped, to some extent, since being named a starter, but that’s to be expected of a rookie attempting a high volume of field goals.

Booker may or may not live up to his star potential, but he’s a player with immediate value. He can space the floor as well as any player at his position, and given his lack of experience, that early-career strength is reason enough to test the waters on his upside.

For what it’s worth, Booker is averaging 15.2 points in 32.6 minutes during his 23 starts.

Next: Portland Trail Blazers