The Phoenix Suns are in an unusual and difficult situation compared to other NBA teams, as their Kevin Durant Phoenix Suns trade has left them without control of any first-round draft picks until 2032. This means the team cannot rely on future lottery picks to rebuild or improve rapidly, putting pressure on their current roster to perform. Despite not being immediate contenders, tanking to gain high picks is not a viable strategy for the Suns due to this lack of draft assets.
Limited Options Force Suns to Rely on Current Players
The Suns’ front office is faced with the need to develop talent from within, making the most of the players they have already acquired rather than looking ahead to future drafts. This core includes stars and young talents such as Devin Booker, Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koby Brea. Among these, Jalen Green, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, stands out as a key young player who could help shape the team’s future.
Building Around Devin Booker and Jalen Green
Green, now 23 years old, has demonstrated scoring abilities by averaging just over 20 points per game throughout his NBA career. His partnership with Booker in the backcourt represents the Suns’ best chance to be competitive in the near term. While the fit between the two stars is not seamless on paper, new head coach Jordan Ott will have the challenge of crafting a system that maximizes their strengths and helps them complement each other on the court.
Obstacles and Opportunities for the Suns’ Progress
ESPN analyst Zach Kram emphasized the team’s precarious position, writing,
“No team has mortgaged more of its future for less in the present than Phoenix, which is an underdog to finish even in the top 10 in the West next season. But it’s not as if the Suns can realistically pivot to a tanking posture, because they don’t control their first-round pick until 2032. That’s six more years of other teams feasting on Phoenix’s lottery possibilities after the Suns gave Houston the No. 10 pick this summer (only to reacquire it in the Kevin Durant trade).”
This highlights the difficulty the Suns face in balancing the present and the future.
Looking Ahead: What the Future Holds for Phoenix
With a lack of draft capital and limited opportunities to rebuild through new talent acquisition, Phoenix must focus on internal development and strategic coaching adjustments. Success will depend largely on how well the team’s young core, especially the Green-Booker duo, can grow and synergize on the floor. The upcoming seasons will test the Suns’ ability to compete in a strong Western Conference without the advantage of draft flexibility, making every decision critical to their long-term outlook.