NBA Draft Strategy Alteration for Suns Following Kevin Durant Trade Deal
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The Kevin Durant trade sent shockwaves through the NBA, elevating the Houston Rockets to a formidable force and making them the primary challenge for the new champion Oklahoma City. However, the implications for the Durant-less Phoenix Suns, as well as the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, remain uncertain.
The Suns' primary objectives this offseason revolve around acquiring a center and a point guard, yet the assets obtained during the Durant deal on July 6, including shooting guard Jalen Green, forward Dillon Books, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-round picks, don't seem to address these issues directly.
Who Will The Suns Select With The No. 10 Pick?
With the departure of Jusuf Nurkic last season and the absence of a suitable replacement, the Suns are on the hunt for a big man. Potential candidates for the No. 10 pick, according to recent mock drafts, include Khaman Maluach, Derik Queen, and Collin Murray-Boyles.
Maluach, a 7-foot-2 defender with a 7-foot-7 wingspan, is relatively new to the game, having picked it up at the age of 13 while growing up playing soccer in Uganda. Though he averaged just 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in his lone season at Duke, his potential is immense. Scouts have him ranked within the 8-9-10 range, making him a prime target for several teams and increasing the possibility that he might be off the board by the time the Suns pick.
Queen, standing 6-10, is a more polished offensive player, having averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in his single season at Maryland. He sent the Terrapins into the Sweet 16 with a buzzer-beating driving bank shot against Colorado State, although his defensive capabilities are a source of debate. Mocks list him between 10 and 15.
Murray-Boyles, a 6-7 power forward, could provide the Suns with the size they are missing after Durant's departure. He plays bigger than his listed height, is an aggressive defender, and boasts strong rebounding skills. While his shooting needs some work, he is expected to appeal to multiple teams given his foul-drawing ability, two-point shooting, defensive playmaking, and youth, according to ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony.
If the Suns opt for Murray-Boyles or a guard at No. 10, there's a chance they could still land the highly-regarded center Ryan Kalkbrenner with their second first-round pick (No. 29) or by packaging some of the assets acquired via the Durant trade to move up a few spots on draft day.
Stanford's 7-foot center Maxime Raynaud is a likely favorite to be taken by the Suns with their No. 29 pick, as his ability to stretch the floor makes him an attractive option.
How Will The Suns Address The Backcourt?
With Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Grayson Allen already on the roster, the Suns now have a solid guard presence. However, all three are more effective off the ball, despite the Suns' attempts to use Booker and Beal as point guards at times.
If the Suns choose to address their backcourt needs with the No. 10 pick, point guards Jeremiah Fears, Kasparov Jakucionis, and Egor Demin could be potential options. Fears' fearless play towards the end of the season for Oklahoma has earned him attention, with some scouts convinced that he has impressed enough to climb up the board.
Jakucionis is considered a pure point guard due to his unselfish style, which would fit well with Phoenix's spot-up shooter-heavy approach. Demin, who stands 6-9, projects as a point guard/point forward who can see over defenses and make plays, which could benefit the Suns given their desire to upgrade their frontline.
Other players projected to go as high as No. 10 include Arizona wing Carter Bryant, a 3-and-D player, although his fit with the team is less clear. The most interesting names are Walter Clayton Jr. and Jase Richardson, both of whom could be reach picks for the Suns, given their impressive play during the NCAA tournament and respective college careers.
Richardson's Michigan State roots might appeal to the Suns, whose owner Mat Ishbia was a walk-on on Tom Izzo's 2000 national championship team, and whose new general manager, Brian Gregory, was an assistant for Izzo from 1999-2003.
[1] https://www.si.com/nba/2025/mock-draft-phoenix-suns-no-10-pick[2] https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10113266-2025-nba-mock-draft-projecting-top-10-picks-only[3] https://basketballinsiders.com/2025-nba-mock-draft-potential-picks-for-phoenix-suns-at-no-10/
The Suns, seeing the potential of Khaman Maluach, Derik Queen, and Collin Murray-Boyles, may consider selecting one of them with the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to address their center needs. In the backcourt, the Suns could select point guards like Jeremiah Fears, Kasparov Jakucionis, or Egor Demin, as all three would fit well with the team's spot-up shooter-heavy approach.
