Will The Phoenix Suns Trade Away Another Draft Pick?

(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The Phoenix Suns have been known for their draft day blunders throughout the last few years. Some picks the team have given up are Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trailblazers, Rajon Rondo of the Championship winning Boston Celtics, Luol Deng of the Bull or Andre Iguodala who was also available with Deng’s pick, and Marcin Gortat just to name a few. They are known for trading their draft picks for cash which has led the franchise to where it is today. The previous coach and General Manager Mike D’Antoni had no interest in playing rookies or draft picks and this has ultimately hurt the franchise in the long run without ever rewarding them with a championship. They are now stuck with one foot in and one foot out of the rebuilding door with virtually little young talent to build off and only large contract tradable assets.

With the Suns history over the past few years and all the disheartened fans would you ever think that they would trade this year’s 14^th pick away? This is the newest rumor circulating around the Suns that most NBA insiders claim is not fading away.

The Suns are rumored to be in discussion with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now before you get too excited and think the Suns are looking for one of their young studs or their top draft pick think again. This move actually would give the Thunder the Suns 14^th pick in this years draft in exchange for their 25^th overall pick and return the Suns their unprotected draft pick for next season. There are many people who did not even realize that the Suns gave up next years unprotected first round pick to the then Seattle Supersonics as virtually a throw in to shed themselves of Kurt Thomas’s contract. Another bad decision solely based on financial restrictions.

On the surface this deal could upset many fans in leading them to believe they are throwing away another draft pick. However, with a deeper look the signs that this deal would lead to could ultimately give Suns fans what they have been asking for all summer.

The Suns have stated they are not completely in love with any of the players that would more than likely be available to them with the 14^thselection. Some of these rumored players that the Suns are interested in include Earl Clark, Austin Daye, James Johnson, and even Brandon Jennings. But the real studs they like probably would not be around at 14. They have expressed interest in some other players though that could be available later in the draft that could turn out to be as good or better then anyone selected at 14. This draft is so deep with players after the first few picks that it is very difficult to gage who could be a star and who could be a bust. If the Suns could get someone at 25 that they feel has as much potential to be a star as a player at 14 they might take that deal, provided that some great player does not miraculously slip down the draft to them.

The other great part of this deal is that by returning the unprotected draft pick for next year that they foolishly gave up could help prevent any worries of beginning to rebuild this team and not making the playoffs again next year. Could you imagine if the team started to rebuild this season or kept the same team and performed even worse next year? The only benefit to a lousy season in the potential lottery pick you can receive. If the Suns had a sub par season and didn’t get to benefit from the draft pick it could be devastating to the fans well as the franchise. The good part about making this deal is it allows the team to stop putting off the inevitable in fear of giving up a lottery pick for next season.

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