3. Ed Pinckney
Remember No. 6 on this list, when the Suns had their opportunity to draft John Stockton in 1984? Well, the following year, Phoenix had the No. 10 pick in the 1985 NBA Draft. The Suns took Ed Pinckney, who had just led Villanova to an NCAA championship…while the Utah Jazz took Karl Malone three picks later.
That’s right, Suns fans. The Stockton-Malone era could have happened in Phoenix had the Suns taken the guy three picks later both in 1984 AND 1985. To make matters worse, the Suns also passed on Joe Dumars, A.C. Green and Terry Porter.
But what about Pinckney? Well, even though he went on to have a 12-year career in the NBA, he only spent two of them with the Suns. He averaged 9.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in his two seasons in Phoenix until he was traded to the Sacramento Kings.
Like many of the rookies on this list, perhaps the Suns never gave this young draft pick enough time to develop before shipping him away. But in case you missed this part, Stockton and Malone could have played for the Suns.
Next: No. 2