Let’s be honest. For a long time, if you were a fan following the Phoenix Suns draft picks, it felt like watching a slow-motion car crash. We’re talking about the franchise that passed on Giannis Antetokounmpo for Alex Len. The team that took Dragan Bender at number four. It was rough.
But things are looking different lately. Under the ownership of Mat Ishbia, the vibe in the front office has shifted from "asset accumulation" to "win-right-now-at-all-costs." Sometimes that means trading every pick that isn't nailed down. Other times, like in the 2024 and 2025 cycles, it means finding specific, high-IQ players who can actually survive on the court next to superstars like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
What Really Happened in the 2024 NBA Draft?
Heading into the 2024 draft, everyone assumed James Jones would just flip the 22nd pick for a veteran. That’s the "Suns way" now, right? Instead, they got creative. They traded back, moving from 22 to 28, and still managed to snag exactly who they wanted.
Ryan Dunn was the big name here.
If you watched any Virginia basketball, you know Dunn is basically a human eraser on defense. He’s 6'8" with a wingspan that seems to go on for miles. The Suns didn't draft him to score 20 points a game—they have plenty of guys who can do that. They drafted him because he was arguably the best perimeter defender in the entire class.
The knock on him? His shooting. It was... well, it wasn't great in college. He shot about 23% from deep. But the Suns bet on their development staff and the "Budenholzer effect" to turn him into a viable floor spacer.
Then there’s Oso Ighodaro.
Picking him at 40 was a low-key brilliant move. He’s a "local" kid (Desert Vista High represent!) and he plays the game like a 10-year veteran. He’s a short-roll passing specialist. In a league where bigs are often just rim-runners or shooters, having a guy who can catch the ball at the free-throw line and find an open shooter is huge. He fits the "Suns' high-IQ" mold perfectly.
The 2025 Draft: A New Direction?
By the time the 2025 NBA Draft rolled around, the landscape had shifted again. The Kevin Durant trade ripple effects were still being felt. But the Suns actually stayed in the first round.
With the 10th overall pick—acquired in a blockbuster reshuffling—the Phoenix Suns selected Khaman Maluach.
This wasn't a "safe" pick. This was a "we want a seven-footer who can move" pick. Maluach is a massive presence, a product of the NBA Academy Africa, and he brings a physical profile the Suns have lacked since Deandre Ayton left town.
Later in that same draft, they added Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea.
- Fleming brings more of that "switchable forward" energy they love.
- Brea is a pure specialist—one of the best shooters in college basketball history during his time at Dayton and Kentucky.
It’s clear the strategy has evolved. They aren't just looking for "best player available." They are looking for "best player to keep Kevin Durant from having to play 40 minutes of defense."
The Ghost of Draft Picks Past
You can't talk about Phoenix Suns draft picks without acknowledging the scar tissue.
Look at 2020. The Suns took Jalen Smith at 10. It was a massive reach at the time, and it didn't take long for the team to basically give up on him. He was traded to Indiana for pennies on the dollar.
Or 2018. They got the number one overall pick. They took Ayton. While Ayton was a massive part of that 2021 Finals run, the fact that Luka Dončić was sitting right there still haunts the desert. It’s the kind of "what if" that keeps GMs up at night.
James Jones has often said he doesn't value "potential" as much as "readiness." That’s why you saw them trade away picks for guys like Chris Paul and Bradley Beal. For a while, the Suns' draft room was the quietest place in the NBA because they simply didn't have any picks to use.
Where Are the Future Picks?
If you’re looking for a long list of upcoming first-rounders, I have some bad news. The cupboard is pretty bare.
Because of the trades for Durant and Beal, the Suns’ future draft capital looks like a game of Tetris where nothing fits.
- 2026: Washington has swap rights.
- 2027: That pick is headed to Houston (via Brooklyn).
- 2028: Another swap, this time with Brooklyn/Washington.
- 2029: Houston owns this one too.
- 2031: Traded to Utah in the latest roster shakeup.
Basically, the Suns are living on a credit card. They are betting that their current core can win a title before the bill comes due in 2027 and 2029. It’s a high-stakes gamble. If they win a ring, nobody cares about a 2027 mid-first-round pick. If they don’t? Things could get ugly fast.
Why This Matters Right Now
The irony is that as the NBA's "Second Apron" rules get stricter, these cheap, rookie-scale contracts are more valuable than ever.
The Suns can’t just sign mid-level exception players anymore. They are "tax-aproned" into oblivion. This means guys like Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro aren't just "prospects"—they are the only way the Suns can fill out a bench without relying solely on 35-year-old veterans on minimum deals.
You’ve gotta hit on these late picks. If Dunn becomes a starter-level wing, the Suns’ championship window stays open for two more years. If he busts, the roster gets very thin, very quickly.
Misconceptions About the Suns' Scouting
A lot of people think the Suns don't care about the draft. That’s not quite true. They just care about the draft as a currency.
Mat Ishbia hasn't been shy about spending money, but he’s also shown he’s willing to let the scouting department take big swings when they actually do have a pick. The selection of Maluach in 2025 proved they aren't afraid of "project" players anymore, as long as the ceiling is high enough to change the team's championship equity.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the "Apron" News: The Suns' ability to use their draft picks is heavily tied to their salary cap status. If they stay over the second apron, their picks eventually get moved to the end of the first round regardless of their record.
- Follow the G-League: Keep an eye on the Valley Suns. Because the main roster is so veteran-heavy, you’ll see their recent picks spending a lot of time in the G-League to get reps.
- Don't Expect Trades: Since they can't aggregate salaries in trades (due to being over the apron), their current draft picks are actually more likely to stay on the roster than they were three years ago.
- Scout the Shooters: If the Suns have a second-round pick, look for the best 3-point shooter in college. That is consistently the archetype they target to surround Booker.
The Phoenix Suns draft picks might be rare these days, but they’ve never been more important to the team’s survival. We’re past the era of "trust the process" and deep into the era of "don't waste Devin Booker's prime."