Stan Van Gundy admits why he’s ‘hitting’ over Devin Booker

Stan Van Gundy has been out of the league for nearly five years now, but one draft pick that got away still has the current commentator thinking about what could have been.

While on ‘The Zach Love Show,’ Van Gundy, who was President and head coach of the Detroit Pistons from 2014 to 2018, explained why he actually hit each other whenever Phoenix Suns superstar Devin Booker it works well.

“Steve (Nash) said when he was there, the one thing he pointed out, he said, Devin Booker could be like as good a leader as he had ever seenboth by example in what he says, but a complete buy-in from him on both ends of the floor, defends very hard at the top of the offense, trying to get other guys involved. Just everything about the success of the team, plus his professionalism and work ethic every day,” Van Gundy said.

“You know, it always drives me crazy when people talk about Devin Booker. I have a lot of respect for that guy, and if I drafted him in Detroit, I might still be coaching, Zach. So every time Devin Booker has a great game, I kick myself — physically myself — to make sure I’m feeling that pain.”

Stan Van Gundy on Devin Booker: “It always drives me crazy when people talk about Devin Booker… I have a lot of respect for the guy… If I drafted him in Detroit, I might still be coaching… So every time Devin Booker has a great game, I physically kick myself to be sure… pic.twitter.com/8VVTCrmmP4

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) November 27, 2025

Lowe followed up by asking if he decided to pick Van Gundy over Booker Luke Kennard or Stanley Johnson, both of the Pistons’ draft picks. The former coach did not hesitate to confirm that it was Johnson, who was selected eighth overall in 2015, played four seasons in Detroit, and spent the last two years abroad.

“I moved over Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell, and that’s why I’m broadcasting now,” Van Gundy said.

Despite his doubts as the main decision maker in Detroit, Van Gundy, now Amazon color commentatorhe had a long, successful NBA career that included several conference finals appearances and a berth in the 2009 NBA Finals when he was the head coach of the Orlando Magic.

Booker, however, had outlived Van Gundy by several years at this point.

Drafted five picks later than Johnson in 2015, Booker has spent his entire NBA career up to this point with the Suns. During that time, he won four All-Star selections and two All-NBA honors.