Recent NBA Draft Selections Made by the Phoenix Suns: Examine the choices made by the organization and how they might affect the Suns going forward.

Recent NBA Draft Selections Made by the Phoenix Suns: Examine the choices made by the organization and how they might affect the Suns going forward.

Almost the whole 2010s saw the Phoenix Suns miss the playoffs, as they played all of their home games in April and May. A portion of their issue stemmed from the fact that, in every NBA Draft, they missed a great deal more shots than they made, with two or three Josh Jacksons and Dragan Benders for every Devin Booker.

They have performed considerably better since the 2020s began, qualifying for the playoffs the previous three seasons and reaching the NBA Finals in 2021. Despite a rocky start to the season, they are once again among the best teams in the Western Conference and are currently sitting as the No. 5 seed halfway through the campaign. The Suns haven’t had a very good record when it comes to drafting, despite their increased success leading one to believe otherwise. Here’s a look at their team-building initiatives and how their recent success has affected the club.

Draft Day Mishaps
After rising from his first position as an interim general manager during the 2018 season to the position of President of Basketball Operations, James Jones, the general manager of the Suns, has established himself as one of the NBA’s top executives. He won the coveted NBA Executive of the Year award for his crucial part in reviving the team in the 2021 summer.

But despite the team’s success and Jones’ quick ascent to prominence, there are still some situations in which he struggles, especially when it comes to making judgments on draft day. Jones has only selected three players in the first round during his previous five years in charge. Unfortunately, only Jalen Smith—one of those picks—wore a Suns uniform for a short while before being traded to the Indiana Pacers following just five starts and 56 games. Notably, Day’Ron Sharpe and Jarrett Culver, the other draft selections, were dealt with quickly following their selection.

The Suns have overcome the odds and developed into one of the league’s top teams in spite of these difficulties on draft day. They are now ranked sixth in the league with their +1300 chances of winning the NBA Championship, which are heavily promoted on ESPN BET Arizona. This demonstrates the Suns’ capacity to bounce back from draft disappointments and continue to be strong competitors in the NBA.

Perhaps the most admirable thing about James Jones as an executive is his awareness of his strengths. Rather than overcommitting in unsuitable circumstances, such as the NBA Draft, he makes strategic decisions by swinging trades and signing free agents.