2025 Draft Night Picks Discussion

[BobbieL]

I'm curious to see how the Suns navigate out of the 2nd apron. To me, it appears another team will have to help the Suns out a lot or being okay with 2nd round draft picks as compensation to take on Beal.

This is the only trade that makes sense to me.

The Wizards and Pelicans trade expands to a four-team trade after Blazers learn that Jrue Holiday absolutely does not want to be in Portland.

Suns -
Jrue Holiday
Kelly Olynyk

Wizards -
Bradley Beal
2nd round picks from Suns

Blazers -
CJ McCollum
2 2nd round picks from Suns

Pelicans -
Jordan Poole
Saddiq Bey

Suns save $5 million in salary cap space. Suns trade Cody Martin, Royce O'Neal for 2nd round picks and cap space.
Blazers get McCollum back, Wizards get Beal back.

Jrue / Gillespie
Booker / Green
Brooks / Grayson
Dunn / Olynyk / Oso
Williams / Maluach / Richards

This would be a dream scenario IMO, but it doesn't seem so farfetched.

With respect to the cap - I hope the Suns have a plan in place. I would have thought these three moves
1) Richards and the picks for Williams
2) Waive Micic since he is going to Europe
3) Don't pick up option on Martin

So I would HOPE they have plans for Richards in another trade. Heck maybe a second rounder coming to Phoenix in todays draft. Or something like Richards and 52 for 35 or something

As for your trade idea -- I don't know why the Wizards would take on Beal when contracts like McCollum, Smart and Middleton are expiring this year

Now if they get below the apron and make multi player deals: Say Beal and O'Neale for Jrue and Grant, might work

[RayLight]

I like this kid Maluach. I believe he could be what Ayton didn`t become for the Suns.
A couple of important questions:
1. Can Gillespie be our PG of the future?
2. Can Book move to SF and Dunn to PF?
3. Can Beal accept 6th man role again and be productive?
4. We need a 3-D young and athletic wing. Can we find it via a trade for Allen and Oneale?

Projected roster:

PG: Gillespie
SG: Green
SF: Book
PF: Dunn
C: Williams

Bench:
PG: ???
SG: Beal
SF: ???
PF: Oso
C: Maluach

Hate to say this but Ayton was the reason we made the finals.

Did you forget Brooks as well. I wouldn't start gillespie.

Why isnt allen, richards, Brooks and oneale on your roster + the 2nd round picks we have.

TBH I think Caleb Love will be better for us than Gillespie. Get him in the 2nd

I forgot Brooks, you are right!

As for Allen and Oneale, I hope they are traded for younger 3-D wing like Cam Johnson.

Ayton was good, but his character is what started the meltdown of the finals team.

[sunsbg]

Are we sure Maluach is here to stay ? Any news on scheduled press ? If so, I assume Richards is gone. We have Oso for 3rd C on depth chart, keeping all of them makes no sense.

The KD trade can't happen until after the new league year so the Suns won't officially comment on any players involved yet.


They definitely aren't done trading because they HAVE to get under the second apron to execute the KD trade.

But I doubt Maluach is getting traded, Suns seem high on him.

Richards is very likely on the move.

Also apparently Williams and Maluach know each other based on interview I just read on BrightSide, so Richards is the odd man out. The other two will form a nice C duo. Oso can slide to PF.

KM: Yeah, I have a relationship with Mark Williams. I mean, we were all part of the Brotherhood, and we were talking through my through my college recruitment process, and I would go to him and ask him, what’s, what’s the best thing about Duke, and how did they help you and all that stuff.

[King4Day]

I don't expect the nets to do it but man, if we could move Beal and the 5 or 6 2nds to the Nets for CamJo, that would be amazing.

Fills a need and gets us under the apron.

[King4Day]

Givony: Biggest winners of Round 1

Phoenix Suns
The pick: Khaman Maluach (No. 10)

The Suns' trade for Kevin Durant looks much different after the fall of Maluach to No. 10, which helps Phoenix strengthen a crucial position at center while also adding one of the most talented long-term prospects in the draft.

Maluach will bring high-level intensity, rim-protection timing, rebounding ability and switchable defense -- qualities the team lacked last season -- injecting much-needed youth and energy into a roster overloaded in the backcourt.

Most importantly, he is one of this draft's youngest prospects, with significant potential for growth physically and skill-wise. He is highly regarded by coaches and teammates for his off-court intangibles and should be an excellent pick-and-roll partner for Devin Booker, thanks to his lob-catching ability.

What was the best pick of the night?

Woo: Assuming Cooper Flagg to the Mavericks at No. 1 is ineligible for this designation, I'll go with Khaman Maluach to the Suns at No. 10, a pick Givony explained above. It was a terrific outcome for Phoenix, and he might be the exact type of player they need to anchor whatever the team is going to look like moving forward.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45583334/2025-nba-draft-round-1-winners-surprises-teams-picks-questions

[WeekapaugGroove]

not that draft grades mean anything but it's odd to see the Suns do anything that the media likes lol

[Rebound Mound]

Today it is evident we need to wait to see how our final roster looks like, as it is obvious we have several trades ahead. The roster makes no sense whatsoever right now and some kind of PG and PF, at least, should arrive here.

[bwgood77]

5 pages behind so if we traded him to dump Beal or something, forgive me, but from what I've read about Maluach, I like what I hear. Great intangibles, teammates love him, plays with intensity, can anchor a defense, etc. Is very young and hasn't played long, so likely has a lot of upside (I know we've heard that before but the other things you here about him are the opposite).

I don't mind trading for Mark Williams IF he can stay healthy. He is really good. We likely get him on a nice 2nd contract while Maluach grows during his rookie contract, and really, you need a good 2 center rotation even if both are healthy, and they won't always be. Richards will be there his rookie year too (at least as of now) to help.

Not sure what it means for Ighodaro. It makes more sense to keep him than Richards given he is on a very cheap contract and Richards is expiring anyway, and it is a 3rd string. All in all, I do hate giving up picks, but 29 in this draft and likely a late pick in 2029 for a solid C as long as he can stay healthy isn't terrible.

[dremill24]

I don't expect the nets to do it but man, if we could move Beal and the 5 or 6 2nds to the Nets for CamJo, that would be amazing.

Fills a need and gets us under the apron.

I can't imagine you're getting objectively good players like Johnson back for Beal if all you're adding is a few 2nds.

[Saberestar]

I am excited about the pieces that we are putting together.

We are set at SG, SF and C.

We need a backup PG and an starting PF. It's not gonna be easy to get them but we have multiple assets on the roster yet.

Those five 2nds can be on the move tonight.

And we need to get under the 2nd apron. Beal and Allen have to go, that's gonna be the most difficult task to do...specially Beal of course.

[bwgood77]

We continue to make headscratching movies. Malauch doesn't seem mobile enough to play rim runner/rim protector role. I don't see this guy being a rotational NBA player. He won't be able to stay on the court, teams will just hunt for endlessly. Mark Williams has far too many injury red flags to waste 2 1st rounders on.

This franchise is run by absolute clowns with no idea how to build a team in 2025.

I would have been happier if we got him at 15 or later not necessarily at #10 though.

Would have been nice to keep the #29 and add another forward or even a PG but maybe the front office can trade a few of the 2nd to move up in the 2nd round tomorrow? At least we plugged one gaping hole now off to plug the other holes somehow.

To be fair, from a lot of places I've looked at, including in the NBA draft forum on RealGM, he's pretty consistently been mocked to go before #10 and as high as in the top 5 (I don't agree but I've seen it). So #10 isn't really a stretch for him and most expected him to go in the top 10 anyway. But regardless if we got him at #10 or #15, he's still not my favourite type of prospect.

Yeah, I saw him at 6 and 7, etc, and everyone I talked to seemed to really like him, even though I originally was luke warm looking at his stats and seeing a JaVale McGee projection. But if he plays with intensity and everyone loves him, it feels like he is probably a hard worker. He is also best friends with Flagg, and I'm not saying that to be like "maybe he can convince Flagg to come to the Suns in 9 years" but that Flagg is a high IQ player that obviously works hard on his game to be where he is so they probably will work out together and Flagg likely talks a lot with him...plus Flagg will be around guys like AD, Gafford, Lively. It would be nice if Maluach went and worked out with that group.

[BobbieL]

Today it is evident we need to wait to see how our final roster looks like, as it is obvious we have several trades ahead. The roster makes no sense whatsoever right now and some kind of PG and PF, at least, should arrive here.

So far -- Green, though he plays the same as Booker, has some upside potential; maybe trade bait too ( Would the Nets trade him for Cam Johnson since they seem to be going young). Granted, Gambo said Green was sticking around and I kind of want to see what he brings

Brooks -- the fit next to Booker is good

KM - at pick 10 good

Williams - the team needed a center, he is a good young player and if he can stay healthy soldi

Now, Beal, O'Neale and Allen - what trades can happen and what can they get

[bwgood77]

What are the options for a decent PG in Beal, Royce, Allen, Richards trade ?

GoK may throw a gem at PG in the late 2nd round range to watch for tomorrow.

I don't see PG as a HUGE priority IF we are keeping Green and Book. They will play together. And we had a solid PG last year in Tyus Jones but trying to play one with more guards just hurts your defense.

Since we likely play Green and Book, our other starters will be Brooks, possibly Dunn (or whoever we can get in trade for Allen or Royce if we get a PF) and Johnson, which really gives us a pretty good defense from 3-5. It will be small if it's Dunn and if we get a new 4 obviously that is unknown but hopefully we can utilize Allen or Royce to get someone like Larry Nance Jr or something.

[BobbieL]

I am excited about the pieces that we are putting together.

We are set at SG, SF and C.

We need a backup PG and an starting PF. It's gonna be easy to get them but we have multiple assets on the roster yet.

Those five 2nds can be on the move tonight.

And we need to get under the 2nd apron. Beal and Allen have to go, that's gonna be the most difficult task to do...specially Beal of course.

I think Beal is going to take the buyout of $95/5 - which is 19m per year which, if the math is correct, gets them to the correct percentage

But even if that happens, I still think they should move on from Allen - as they are SG heavy. And O'Neale as well

Williams, Brooks, Green with Booker -- thats not bad way to start

[bwgood77]

I keep typing up posts then deleting them… overall I am very confused at vision/disappointed at the lack of high upside swings. I’ll reserve further judgement until the offseason is over, but it’s not a direction I would have gone tonight. Happy that so many Suns fans are feeling these moves though, I hope it all works out.

Ironically, one of the reasons I'm not a huge Maluach guy is because he's a very high upside wing

I think you went over my head lol

Maybe already responded to but maybe he meant Swing?

[BobbieL]

What are the options for a decent PG in Beal, Royce, Allen, Richards trade ?

GoK may throw a gem at PG in the late 2nd round range to watch for tomorrow.

I don't see PG as a HUGE priority IF we are keeping Green and Book. They will play together. And we had a solid PG last year in Tyus Jones but trying to play one with more guards just hurts your defense.

Since we likely play Green and Book, our other starters will be Brooks, possibly Dunn (or whoever we can get in trade for Allen or Royce if we get a PF) and Johnson, which really gives us a pretty good defense from 3-5. It will be small if it's Dunn and if we get a new 4 obviously that is unknown but hopefully we can utilize Allen or Royce to get someone like Larry Nance Jr or something.

Who is Johnson? Or do you mean Williams

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

He would now be my #2 on my big board for the 2nd round behind Maxime Raynaud, simply out of need positionally at the 4.

I have Maxime Raynaud at 1 bg because of his extreme skillset versatility and shooting compliment he'd bring alongside of Maluach and Williams. Overall the Suns hig board now (depending upon trade ranges) needs to become:

1- Maxime Raynaud.
2- Rasheer Fleming.
3- Adou Thiero. ( ** Then a floor spacing PF in trade or free agency).
4- Bogoljub Markovic.
5- Eric Dixon.

Late 2nd to undraftedrange options

1- Steven Settle.
2- David N'Guessan.
3- Igor Milicic.
4- Jackson Moni.
5- Milan Momcilovic.

I am not a draft expert and don't know the guys well so can you list their positions next to them?

[bwgood77]

Nick Richards for 2025-26: non-guaranteed, fully guaranteed on 6/29/25.

We have 3 days to decide about Richards contract.

I thought they already guaranteed it.

[garrick]

I don't expect the nets to do it but man, if we could move Beal and the 5 or 6 2nds to the Nets for CamJo, that would be amazing.

Fills a need and gets us under the apron.

I can't imagine you're getting objectively good players like Johnson back for Beal if all you're adding is a few 2nds.

No way do the Nets let Cam Jo go for 5 seconds.

Jae brought the Nets three second rounders and Cam is a much more valuable player. They probably want a couple first rounders on top of it but do we even have any 1sts we are even able to trade?

[bwgood77]

We have needed a C for the past 2 seasons and we finally get a defensive minded big that is the best center of the draft

And what do these old OG suns fans do on here , cry! This is getting pathetic to be honest with you.

So we trade 2 picks to get Williams… who is soon ready for an extension… After we draft this big kid at 10?

Sure seems like we help other teams out with trades more so than ourselves. I don’t necessarily think the price for Williams was way off… it’s the redundancy that is questionable.

Who here would pick a C at 10 knowing you were trading for a starting C with 29?
Clearly our front office strategy is to overwhelm the opposing offices with a ‘WTF are they doing?’ strategy.

Well even though we compete immediately, but GoK's favorite tweeter Evan Sidery said we were surprised he slid, so we had to take him, and if that's true, I like that we actually did that this time, if we thought he was BPA. I also like that he is more of a long term guy and not a "immediately ready guy"...in the sense that we took a guy who is high upside who is very young, works hard, everyone loves, plays hard, has great intangibles. So getting Williams, who is also young, but going into his 2nd contract, I don't think is bad other than his health.

You need 2 Cs. It's rare Cs play over 30 min a night and we certainly can't expect Maluach to play 30 minutes, so it could be a nice two man rotation. Maluach at 18 is probably not ready to start.

I llike that we have the C problem addressed, and it's nice to have defensive Cs who can finish after watching the crap defense and guys who couldn't finish since Ayton. Though Williams isn't a GREAT finisher at the rim and can't shoot at all outside of 3 feet.

'

Oso can actually finish well at over 84% but Nurkic was 63-64% right at the rim...Richards was similar to Williams. None can shoot over 50% from outside 3 ft.