The NBA Draft is less than a week away, and while we don’t know whether the Phoenix Suns are planning to move up the board, plenty of movement is already occurring. Where? Mock drafts.
As someone who has been obsessively monitoring mock drafts since the Suns’ season ended, I can tell you that the second round hasn’t seen a ton of movement from draft experts. Most of the focus has been on the postseason and the narratives emerging from it, particularly as they relate to teams picking in the lottery
and throughout the first round.
This is a fascinating draft at the top. You have teams like the Thunder, Grizzlies, and Hornets holding multiple first-round picks. That creates opportunities for movement, whether it’s moving up the board, moving down the board, or moving completely out of the round, depending on how organizations view specific prospects and where they currently sit in their competitive timeline.
Then there are the trade rumors. Several high-profile players could be moved this offseason, and draft capital remains one of the primary currencies used to facilitate those deals. As a result, much of the attention has naturally focused on the front end of the draft.
That said, as we get closer to draft night, we’re finally starting to see some changes in the second round projections. And that’s where the Suns enter the conversation.
Phoenix currently holds the 47th overall pick, and while there isn’t a complete consensus on who they’ll select, draft analysts are beginning to narrow their focus. Certain names are appearing more frequently, giving us a better idea of which prospects could realistically be available when the Suns are on the clock.
So, where do the major outlets currently have players ranked?
- ESPN: Jaden Bradley, PG/SG, University of Arizona
- The Athletic: Tyler Nickel, SG, Vanderbilt
- Yahoo Sports: Ja’Kobu Gillespie, PG, Tennessee
- No Ceilings: Quadir Copeland, SG, NC State
- CBS Sports: Felix Okpara, C, Tennessee
- Tankathon: Izaiyah Nelson, PF/C, South Florida
Sometimes you look at these mock drafts and can understand exactly why a draft expert connected a particular player to Phoenix. The fit makes sense. The need makes sense. The player archetype aligns with what the Suns are trying to build. Other times, it feels like the back end of the second round is being assembled by simply plugging names into slots based on talent rankings rather than actual roster fit.
And that’s understandable to a degree. Most draft analysts spend the majority of their time focused on the lottery and the first round. That’s where the stars are. That’s where the headlines are. Once you get into the 40s, the exercise becomes far less about projecting immediate contributors and far more about identifying developmental talent.
Which brings us back to the Suns.
The reality is that the 47th overall pick isn’t typically a player you draft expecting to receive meaningful rotational minutes with the NBA club right away. More often than not, this is a G League project. It’s a player you hope can develop over time, learn your system, and potentially become a contributor down the road.
In Phoenix’s case, that likely means plenty of time with the Valley Suns. And honestly, that’s not a bad thing. One of the benefits of the Suns having a local G League affiliate is that fans can actually watch the developmental process unfold. If you’re in the area, you can head down to Mullett Arena in Tempe and see these players up close as they work toward becoming NBA contributors.
That doesn’t make the pick any less important. The second round has produced plenty of quality NBA players over the years, and while expectations should be tempered at No. 47 overall, there are still intriguing prospects who could provide value if developed correctly.
We’ll find out soon enough which direction Phoenix decides to go. I’ll give the advice not to worry about the position drafted. It’s not like they will be part of the depth chart. Whether they keep the pick, move the pick, or package it as part of a larger transaction, the draft is quickly approaching. And with it comes another opportunity for the Suns to add a piece to what they’re trying to build.
