Why Devin Booker has never been an NBA All-Star starter

PHOENIX — Devin Booker’s absence from the NBA’s All-Star starting lineup isn’t about voters missing his talent, but instead about how the NBA defines stardom at the most crowded position in basketball.

Why is a player of Booker’s caliber rarely chosen to share the All-Star starting stage with the league’s best?

There isn’t one simple explanation. It’s not that Booker hasn’t been elite, as his résumé speaks for itself. A trip to the NBA Finals, two Olympic gold medals, and a decade spent setting and breaking franchise records in Phoenix make that clear.

However, Booker has often matched against guards who not only produce at an elite level but also dominate the spotlight.

The 2021-22 season was arguably Booker’s strongest case. He averaged 26.8 points per game and was the best player on a Suns team that won 64 games. Yet when the starters were announced, Booker was again left out in favor of Stephen Curry and Ja Morant, two guards who dominated the league’s nightly conversation.

What separates them from Booker isn’t production, but perception. The league tends to view Booker as a team-first star, while others are framed as highlight-reel players.

Apr 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball agisasnt Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Stars like Curry routinely produce nightly highlights and control the spotlight. Booker, by contrast, has thrived within structure. While Booker was clearly the team’s best player, he wasn’t the only one producing. This distinction matters in All-Star voting, even when the standings suggest otherwise.

Fan voting rewards players whose games generate constant reactions, not necessarily those whose impact is felt through efficiency, discipline and winning within a system.

Booker was still named a 2026 All-Star reserve by NBA head coaches, who continue to value his overall impact on the court. Where coaches see quiet winning influence, fan voting tends to reward more visible production.

February 15, 2020; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker participates in the three-point contest during NBA All Star Saturday Night at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The All-Star Game is a showcase of the NBA’s biggest stories. Booker’s story, one rooted in reliability, growth, and sustained winning, may not resonate with voters who are drawn to players who dominate highlights and headlines.

Those spectacles often align with the league’s most visible franchises, like the Los Angeles Lakers, and voters may subconsciously favor stars from franchises with larger national relevance. However, Phoenix’s presence on the NBA landscape has not prevented its stars from receiving recognition.

Feb 18, 1993; Phoenix, AZ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Phoenix Suns forward Charles Barkley (34) reacts against the Atlanta Hawks at America West Arena. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports © RVR Photos-Imagn Images

Charles Barkley and Steve Nash earned multiple All-Star selections and went on to win NBA MVP awards during their time with the Suns. Most recently, Kevin Durant earned his spot as an All-Star behind an already established profile and resume.

While hailing from a bigger market could increase chances at the starter position, that doesn’t mean it’s an absolute.

Reigning Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earned an All-Star starting spot in 2026, showing that season-long dominance and constant visibility can break through, even from a smaller market.

Jan 4, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise reflects how consistent production, impact and league-wide visibility over the course of a season can translate into starter status, independent of future outcomes or championship implications.

While smaller-market players have broken through without rings the year prior or a dominant record behind them — such as Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant earning the nod over Booker in 2022 — the pattern remains the same: All-Star starters are most often drawn from teams with the biggest platforms.

The real question isn’t why Booker’s career hasn’t earned him an All-Star starting spot. It’s whether the league’s most competitive position leaves room for stars who don’t demand the spotlight, but instead use their talent to elevate their team as a whole.

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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde