NBA Draft Strategy Adjustment by Suns Following Kevin Durant Trade
The acquisition of Kevin Durant catapults the Houston Rockets into a top-tier contender, potentially even surpassing the Oklahoma City Thunder, leaving the impact on the Phoenix Suns without Durant and the upcoming 2025 NBA draft unclear.
The Suns' key concerns this offseason revolve around finding talent at the center and point guard positions, with the assets from the Durant trade falling short in addressing these areas. The arrival of Jalen Green, Dillon Books, the No. 10 pick in 2025, and five second-round picks may not sufficient to help the Suns in these crucial positions.
Who Will the Suns Select with the No. 10 Pick?
Feasible big men options for the No. 10 pick from the Houston trade include Khaman Maluach, Derik Queen, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Ryan Kalkbrenner. With Jusuf Nurkic traded last season and Nick Richards filling the void, the Suns seek a center who can provide a strong presence on both ends of the court.
Maluach, a 7-foot-2 center with an impressive 7-foot, 7-inch wingspan, is an up-and-coming defensive specialist who only recently embraced basketball at age 13. His undeveloped offensive abilities, however, belie his growth potential. Maluach has been linked to various teams, including Brooklyn, and is often listed among the top 10 prospects. If he's still available at No. 10, he could be the Suns' first pick.
Queen, a 6-10 forward with refined offensive skills, averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in his stint at Maryland. NBA teams question his physicality, and mocks list him between 10 and 15. Still, his polished offensive game and potential as a middle pick might make him an attractive option for the Suns.
Collin Murray-Boyles, a power forward with versatile skills, could replace some of Durant's scoring ability. He plays bigger than his listed 6-7 height and is an aggressive defender and rebounder, though he's still developing his shot. ESPN notes that Murray-Boyles scores highly in team models, making him an appealing choice for several teams within this range.
Kalkbrenner, a 7-foot center with a strong defensive presence, is projected to go between 25 and 30. If the Suns opt for a smaller center or guard with the No. 10 pick, they might have an opportunity to select Kalkbrenner with their second first-round pick (No. 29) or trade some of their Durant deal assets to move up a few spots in the draft.
Addressing the Backcourt
Green joining guards Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Grayson Allen leaves the Suns with a surplus of shooting guards. Finding a point guard to complement this group may be a priority, with Jeremiah Fears, Kasparov Jakucionis, and Egor Demin as possibilities for the No. 10 pick.
Fears' fearless style in the postseason may push his ranking up the board, while Jakucionis' unselfish play would fit well with the spot-up-shooter-heavy Suns. Demin, a 6-9 point guard/point forward, might offer an advantage due to his height, with his coach at BYU (Kevin Young, who also served as a Suns coach from 2020-24) providing valuable insight into his skills.
Several intriguing prospects like Walter Clayton Jr. and Jase Richardson may be on the table, although neither is protected to go as high as No. 10. The success of previous traded picks, such as Cam Johnson who was taken with the 11th pick in 2019, may encourage the Suns to aim high for promising players.
Clayton, a dynamic point guard who increased his draft stock during a sensational NCAA tournament run, and Richardson, an agile scorer who worked his way into the Michigan State lineup and became a go-to player, could both be attractive options for the Suns if they slide down draft boards. Richardson's ties to Michigan State and Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who was a walk-on for Tom Izzo on Mateen Cleaves' championship team, could also play a role in attractiveness.
Sources:1. Espinoza, K. (2023, June 21). How the Kevin Durant trade affects the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Bleacher Report.2. Dillard, C. (2023, June 20). A look at the top big men prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Step Back.3. Allen, M. (2023, June 23). Is Michigan's Thomas Sorber a strong center option for the Phoenix Suns in the 2025 NBA Draft? Bright Side of the Suns.
The Suns, with the No. 10 pick from the Kevin Durant trade, are contemplating between drafting big men like Khaman Maluach, Derik Queen, Collin Murray-Boyles, or even a second-round center like Ryan Kalkbrenner, as they search for a strong center presence. In addressing the backcourt, the Suns might consider point guard prospects such as Jeremiah Fears, Kasparov Jakucionis, or Egor Demin for the No. 10 spot, or possible sliding picks like Walter Clayton Jr. or Jase Richardson who offer intriguing potential and might fit well with the team.
