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Phoenix Suns: 10 Best Draft Picks In Team History

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek talks with guard Archie Goodwin (20) in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 96-69. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek talks with guard Archie Goodwin (20) in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 96-69. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Shawn Marion (31) warms up before the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. Phoenix won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Shawn Marion

In the 1999 NBA Draft, the Suns used their ninth overall pick on Shawn Marion, a versatile and athletic forward out of UNLV. They didn’t have to wait long for that pick to start paying dividends, as the Matrix averaged a double-double in his second season and made his first All-Star team in his fourth year.

Marion was Mr. Do It All for the Suns, averaging 18.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in his eight full seasons with the team. He took that versatility to new heights during the 2005-06 season when Amar’e Stoudemire was injured.

During that season, Marion was the only player in the NBA in the top 20 in points, rebounds, steals, blocks, field goal percentage AND minutes played. He also led the team in scoring (21.2 PPG), rebounds (11.8 RPG), steals (2.0 SPG) and blocks (1.7 BPG).

Though his departure from Phoenix was a bit ugly, he was a four-time All-Star with the Suns and was selected to the All-NBA Third Team twice. Per Basketball-Reference, he’s one of only four players in NBA history to reach 17,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 1,500 steals and 1,000 blocks.

The other three? Hall of Famers/future Hall of Famers Karl Malone, Kevin Garnett and Hakeem Olajuwon. Not bad for the ninth pick in the draft.

Next: No. 2

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