Devin Booker's Shooting and Free Throws Impact the Suns

NBA Devin Booker’s Shooting and Free Throws Impact the Suns

By João Bitencourte

September 12, 2026 • 6:02 PM EDT

Updated 1 hours ago

Devin Booker’s Shooting and Free Throws Impact the Suns

If you are a Suns fan frustrated by Devin Booker’s dip in shooting, you are not alone. Booker had his fourth-worst shooting season last year at .507 overall, and his 33 percent from three was only his second-worst ever. People are asking: how much does this matter, and what does it tell us about the Suns’ chances this season?

The short answer is it matters — but maybe not as much as pure numbers suggest. Booker still gets to the line a ton, and his free throws remain elite. But if he really wants to silence doubters (and help the Suns make an actual leap) he needs to boost those three-point numbers, or at least get back around his career averages. Why? Today’s NBA forces you to stretch the floor. When Booker’s off from deep, teams can load up on his midrange game and muck up the offense.

According to Yahoo Sports, the problem isn’t just volume but confidence and role. There’s a real sense among Suns fans that Booker’s tweaks to his shooting form may have made him a midrange assassin, but cost him three-point consistency. Most of the panel agrees: when Booker attacks in rhythm and gets a few catch-and-shoot looks, he’s deadlier. But off-the-dribble threes? Still shaky. If the Suns mix in more off-ball sets to get him easy threes and let his gravity open up passing lanes, you’ll see a big difference.

There is also a strategic angle here. Booker spent a lot of last season playmaking instead of hunting his own shot. There’s nothing wrong with six assists per game, but if he slides back toward being a pure scorer — taking smart threes but not forcing them — you’ll see better numbers and a lot less talk about any “decline.” For a guy who’s the Suns’ go-to and a major focus of blitzes from defenses, that’s a balancing act. But it’s one Phoenix needs him to manage if they want to get back near the top of the West.

Suns and Free Throws, or Lack Thereof

One number that can’t be ignored: the Suns ranked 28th in free throw attempts last year. That’s only 20.3 per game. If you are wringing your hands over that, it’s understandable — in today’s NBA, getting to the line is a big part of keeping offenses efficient, especially when threes aren’t falling.

Devin Booker increased his free throw attempts to 8.1 per game last season, good for fifth in the league.
Phoenix lost players like Royce and Grayson who did not draw fouls.
Newcomers like Bridges could help raise the team free throw rate, but not everyone’s a natural at drawing contact.

There’s not a consensus on whether this will actually improve. Some on the panel are optimistic, believing a shift toward more attacking wings (and away from jump shooters) will get Phoenix more trips to the stripe. Others — and if you watched last season, you’ll get the cynicism — expect much of the same. The Suns have always felt they get a rough whistle, and as long as the team relies on ISO midrange plays rather than attacking the basket, this may not change.

That said, there’s a bit of hope. If Booker stays aggressive and if new additions slash to the rim more, Phoenix could simply get closer to league average. That’s not aiming for the moon, but sometimes that’s all it takes to steal a few extra wins over a long season.

Koa Peat’s Path to Playing Time

Next up — will Suns rookie Koa Peat get meaningful minutes with the big team, or will he follow last year’s rookies in logging most of his time in the G League? There’s some buzz that Peat arrives more NBA-ready physically than Maluach and Fleming did, but the depth chart is crowded. Bridges, Fleming, and maybe Oso all slot in ahead of him at power forward. Unless injuries stack up, Peat may be waiting for his moment until spring.

There’s also a real debate about whether he fits best as a 3&D type (like Fleming) or as an attacker who gets downhill to the rim. The rotation wrinkle: a recent injury to Mark Williams and the Suns’ evolving small-ball approach could gift Peat an audition. If he impresses in training camp and pre-season, the door opens. The bottom line: fans want to see him grab every minute he can get, but Phoenix may opt for patience — and development — until he proves all the little things translate against NBA competition.

Key Developments for Suns Bettors

Booker coming off his least consistent three-point season since early career
Phoenix still struggles mightily to get to the line as a team
Mark Williams’ injury may alter rotation, possibly opening the door for Koa Peat
Focus remains on small ball lineups with new additions
Uncertainty around whether Peat or Fleming backs up at power forward

Key Takeaways For Bettors

Monitor Devin Booker’s early three-point percentage; any improvement could massively boost team offense and his player props.
If the Suns’ free throw attempts rise early in the season, consider over plays on team total points.
Koa Peat is unlikely to eclipse last year’s rookies in minutes unless injuries hit or he surprises in camp. Don’t overbet his impact early.
Booker’s aggressive playstyle is the linchpin — but watch if he gets too bogged down in playmaking. Bets on his scoring should be made with that context in mind.
If Mark Williams remains out, assess ensuing lineup shuffles for value in rebounds and points props for backups.
The Suns’ tendency to play small and attack less could limit upside on free throw betting props. Exercise caution.
Team chemistry and role clarity (Booker as scorer vs. facilitator) are real swing factors for props and win totals.
Keep an eye on whether Phoenix leans on catch-and-shoot threes or continues heavy midrange isolation possessions — that affects both scoring totals and opposing defense props.

Suns Trivia: History Runs Deep

It’s worth noting the long tradition of Suns players making impacts, from Eddie House’s instant scoring off the bench to Neal Walk’s top-level rebounding and NBA community involvement after his playing days.

Looking Ahead

The Suns step into preseason at the start of October, with all eyes on Book’s efficiency, Peat’s opportunity, and how this mix of newcomers gels on the court. The first weeks will tell you plenty about where your bets — and your hopes — should land.

More coverage: more NBA headlines, our NBA betting analysis and NBA expert picks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Booker’s shooting percentages dipped last season, especially from three. Because he’s the Suns’ leading man, any decline sparks questions about both his role and the team’s offensive ceiling.

Getting back to or above his career three-point numbers would help space the floor and force defenses to guard him honestly. That would open up both his own drives and better shots for teammates.

There’s hope, since new additions may be more aggressive attackers. Still, with a track record of one of the league’s lowest free throw rates and reliance on midrange shots, big improvements aren’t guaranteed.

Last year, it was basically only Devin Booker who consistently drew fouls. With roster changes, Bridges and others should help, but it remains a focus area for improvement.

Koa Peat enters with more polish than past rookies, but the depth chart at power forward is crowded. He’ll likely spend early months in the G League barring injuries or a big preseason jump.

Williams being out 5-7 months could accelerate experimental lineups and perhaps increase opportunities for rookies like Peat, especially if the Suns go small more often.

Preseason starts October 5. The regular season begins October 20, with key contract/trade deadlines following in December and early next year.