Despite being a wildly disappointing team over the last couple of years, things are looking up for the Phoenix Suns. They managed to give their sagging roster a facelift, starting with trading Kevin Durant.
The jury is still out on who won that deal, but the Suns should like the early returns. They got two starters—Jalen Green, who may start at point guard next season, and Dillon Brooks at small forward. Add in the 10th pick, which became Khaman Maluach, and five second-rounders, and they should be happy with the returns.
However, an interesting tidbit from the NBA Draft just emerged, with NBA analyst John Hollinger recently mentioning that the Suns were offered two firsts for the 10th pick by the New Orleans Pelicans.
Suns dodged a draft-day disaster that’s already haunting the Pelicans
To remind folks what happened, the Pelicans made a shockingly reckless trade in which they moved the 23rd pick and the rights to their unprotected 2026 first to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for the 13th pick. They then drafted polarizing prospect Derik Queen.
He is already expected to miss the start of next season, seemingly continuing the Pelicans’ injury curse. It might have been tempting for the Suns to have the Pelicans’ unprotected 2026 first, especially with them looking like the worst team in the West.
Nevertheless, the Suns made the safe move, which, given how reckless they’ve been in recent years, was refreshing. Maluach may be a project, but if he pans out, he could be a terrific center that could fill that vital position for the next decade.
The Suns were right to pass on the Pelicans’ offer
They also got Rasheer Fleming in the second round, despite many NBA mock drafts, including ours here at Hoops Habit, having him going in the teens or early 20s. He could be a starting-caliber four who can both shoot and defend at a high level. Those two moves alone justify them playing it safe by steering clear of the Pelicans.
It might take a few years for both Malauch and Fleming to reach their potential, but they could be a core piece on a retooling Suns. The Pelicans did get Jerimiah Fears and Queen, both of whom have boom-or-bust potential, but their current roster will do neither player any favors.
Ultimately, the Suns’ offseason moves have been solid so far. After opting against making the Pelicans deal, they made the right decision not to pull the trigger on the trade.
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July 29, 2025 | 3:00 pm
