Remember the 2018 NBA Draft? The Phoenix Suns’ choice of Deandre Ayton over Luka Doncic still sparks heated debate. Imagine a world where Doncic and Booker teamed up from day one. Would the Suns have already hoisted a championship trophy? Dive into this fascinating alternate history!

The 2018 NBA Draft remains a pivotal moment for the Phoenix Suns, a decision that continues to fuel extensive basketball analysis and ‘what if’ scenarios. The franchise famously selected Deandre Ayton with the first overall pick, a choice often overshadowed by the subsequent stellar career of Luka Doncic, who was passed over.

This foundational draft night choice set the Suns on a path that, while leading to some success, now sees both Ayton and Luka Doncic as teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers. The intertwining fates of these players, particularly Doncic’s rise to superstardom, inevitably draws attention back to Phoenix’s missed opportunity during a crucial period in NBA History.

CBS Sports writer Jasmyn Wimbish recently delved into this alternate reality, envisioning a timeline where the Phoenix Suns made a “draft-night stunner” by selecting the Slovenian phenom. Such a move would have reshaped the league’s landscape and significantly altered the team’s trajectory in the Western Conference.

In this hypothetical scenario, the immediate impact would have been a dynamic backcourt tandem featuring Luka Doncic and Devin Booker. Expert basketball analysis suggests that Doncic, known for his elite playmaking, thrives alongside another high-caliber offensive threat, a role Booker would have filled perfectly, creating an offensive juggernaut.

Furthermore, if the Phoenix Suns still executed the trade for Mikal Bridges in that same NBA Draft, the team would have assembled a formidable “powerful trio” for many years. This combination of talent would have provided a cornerstone for sustained competitiveness and a formidable presence in the league.

Imagine the spectacle of Booker and Bridges consistently converting shots off Doncic’s exquisite no-look passes. This hypothetical Phoenix Suns squad would have consistently posted historic offensive numbers, positioning themselves as championship contenders much sooner than their actual path. This speculative exploration is a testament to the profound impact of draft decisions on NBA History.

The real-world Phoenix Suns did reach the NBA Finals in 2021, ultimately falling to the Milwaukee Bucks. However, the tantalizing thought of a slight alteration in the 2018 NBA Draft setting off a chain reaction leading to a potential championship with Luka Doncic and Booker in the backcourt remains a compelling subject for basketball analysis.

As the Phoenix Suns prepare for training camp and their preseason opener, fate brings them face-to-face with Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers on October 3rd from Palm Springs, California. This upcoming clash serves as a poignant reminder of the roads not taken and the enduring what-ifs that define moments in NBA History.