After a successful Olympic campaign where he perfectly complemented the bigger names on the team, Devin Booker is on the rise. Leading the Phoenix Suns to the Finals in 2021 was supposed to push Book to superstardom. However, the 4x All-Star’s growth stagnated following that and other younger stars like Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Anthony Edwards seemingly took over. But his time in Paris showed the world what he is capable of. Even NBA icon Kevin Garnett is of the belief that we might see a different Book this season.

The former Minnesota Timberwolves Power forward took to his Instagram to share a resurfaced video and also to issue a pointed challenge to the Suns guard, demanding to see the young superstar at his absolute best in the upcoming season. “This is the Dev Book I want this year… Nothing else… get back to it Dbook. Fr Fr.. respect,” wrote Garnett as the caption of his story.

The original video shows Booker at his absolute best, talking trash while burying jumpers on the defender’s face during scrimmage. And the person he shuts up? His former teammate, Chris Paul. CP3 can be heard saying, “We’ll take 1 if you have to,” pointing to the fact that they are okay with Booker scoring from inside the 3-point line. However, the Kentucky alum had different plans as he stepped back for a cold jumper, saying, “Aight, I want 2 though, 3 (Paul).”

Garnett’s challenge to Booker isn’t just idle talk from a retired great. At 27, Booker finds himself at a similar crossroads to where Garnett stood during his MVP campaign. Last season’s stats for the Phoenix Suns guard were quite similar to Garnett’s MVP year with an average of 27.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. It was also a great summer for the Suns player, as he helped the US team clinch the Gold medal in Paris.

It leaves us with the question, ‘What’s the MVP debate?’ There’s been an ongoing debate on who is going to be MVP for the 2025 season. There are many contenders to the list, like Nikola Jokić, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Booker’s name is slowly rising to the forefront. Kevin Garnett has also made it clear through the All the Smoke podcast that he’s hoping to see Booker as the MVP.

Will he answer the call and deliver the transcendent performances Garnett and the basketball world are waiting to see? Only time will tell. Nonetheless, did you know there’s another player Garnett thinks can be the next MVP?

Kevin Garnett also thinks that Devin Booker’s teammate can be the next MVP

In the same All The Smoke podcast episode, the Minnesota Timberwolves legend passed a comment that no one had expected. According to him, Booker’s teammate, Bradley Beal, can be the next MVP. “Devin Booker can be an MVP, you know what I’m sayin’. Beal, he can be an MVP. These guys, they got it, bro,” Garnett said.

There’s no doubt that he is one of the main pieces of the team. He is the 5th highest-paid player in the league as he’s getting $50 million for the upcoming season. But forecasting him to be an MVP is a wide stretch. In his first season with the Suns last year, the 31-year-old only played 53 games and averaged 18.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5 assists which was his lowest in the last five years.

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This high praise from a respected NBA legend is sure to boost Beal’s confidence heading into the new season. Only time will tell if he will be able to live up to the expectations.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger