Phoenix Suns: 5 early signs Devin Booker is making the leap

With a new head coach in charge, all early signs suggest Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is ready to make the leap in 2017-18.

Despite being one of the most accomplished scorers in NBA history for his age, Devin Booker was one of the more controversial players in the league heading into the 2017-18 season.

Was this 20-year-old the future of the Phoenix Suns‘ youth movement and the next face of the franchise, or was he simply an inefficient gunner putting up big scoring numbers on terrible teams?

The answer, to that point, was a little bit of both. Booker’s developing scoring prowess was undeniable, but it was all too easy to poke holes in his game. From his abhorrent defense to his inefficient shooting to his lack of rebounds or assists, Booker was seen as a one-dimensional player despite his youth.

With Earl Watson fired three games into the season and a more competent head coach at the helm in Jay Triano, Booker is getting a fresh start as he looks to make “the leap” in a potential breakout year.

Though we only have eight games to work with, here’s a look at five areas of Devin Booker’s game — rebounding, playmaking, the pick-and-roll, defense and efficient scoring — that suggest he’s ready to take it to the next level at age 21.