Valley of the Suns
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Phoenix Suns Best Draft Picks That Never Suited Up For The Suns

By Scott Hanna-Riggs

Apr 20, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) dribbles the ball past Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs during the second quarter at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) dribbles the ball past Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs during the second quarter at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Phoenix Suns have sold the rights to draft picks many times, often at the expense of building depth.

This is a technique that is infuriating for the fan base, as it chases a cheap buck now over an improved product on the court later.

While not every player on this list was traded for cash – some played in the ABA instead, and one went back to college (back when you could be drafted and still return to college), I decided to see what kind of starting 5 I could put together with only players the Suns drafted that never appeared in a game for the Suns. 

Lets move from the point guard down to center. Starting us off:

Rajon Rondo – PG

Drafted: 1st Round, 21st Pick, 2006 Draft

Story: Traded with Brian Grant for a 2007 1st round pick (became Rudy Fernandez). Rudy Fernandez was traded before playing a single game with James Jones for cash. Effectively the Suns traded Rajon Rondo, Brian Grant, James Jones, and Rudy Fernandez for cash. When Rondo is locked in, he is a great defender, passer, and rebounder for a guard.

Stephen Jackson – SG

Drafted: 2nd Round, 42nd Pick, 1997 Draft

Story: Jackson was just 19 years old when the Suns drafted him. He was waived later that same year before playing a single game. It would take Jackson until the 2000-01 season to finally break through into the NBA – but he was still just 22 years old. Jackson was an up and down player, but played well in a fast paced Golden State Warriors offense – similar to the Suns of years past.

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George Gervin – SF

Drafted: 3rd Round, 40th Pick, 1974 Draft

Story: Man, what a pick this would have been. Gervin was an all-time offensive weapon, including leading the NBA in scoring 4 times in a 5 year period. Gervin also had the most points per game in the playoffs 6 times (including once in the ABA). Although the Suns drafted George Gervin, he remained in the ABA, playing on the San Antonio Spurs.

Gervin eventually moved to the NBA with the Spurs, where he made 9 straight all-star games, all with the Spurs (after making 3 straight ABA all-star teams – so 12 in a row). While Gervin retired young compared to modern players (33 years old), he is still 16th all time on the NBA and ABA combined career scoring list. He also has the 9th highest career points per game average in NBA history. Gervin’s nick name was Iceman, and he is in a new Gatorade commercial with Dwayne Wade.

Luol Deng – PF

Drafted: 1st Round, 7th Overall, 2004 Draft

Story: Traded on draft day for Jackson Vroman (who??) and a 2005 first round draft pick. The pick become Nate Robinson (more on him below). Deng developed into an all-star power forward that produced well offensively and was a strong defender.

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Mark Eaton – C

Draft: 5th Round, 107th Overall, 1974 Draft

Story: Mark Eaton‘s path to the NBA is great, and detailed more here. Out of high school, Eaton went to auto mechanic school, and ended up working on cars for several years. Eaton went to junior college for one year before transferring to UCLA for two seasons. The Suns we able to draft him because he had been out of high school for more than 3 years at that point. Instead of joining the Suns, Eaton played for UCLA.

While the time at UCLA certainly helped develop his game, having Eaton would have been a great steal. He was an elite defender, leading the league in blocks 4 out of his first 6 seasons, and rating as the best defender according to Defensive Box Plus Minus for 6 of his first 7 seasons.

Next: Suns Lottery Pick History

Nate Robinson – NOT Our Dunk Contest Ringer

Draft: 1st Round, 21st Overall, 2005 Draft

Story: Traded on draft day with Quentin Richardson for Kurt Thomas and Dijon Thompson. He never could play defense (not surprising for a 5′ 9″ player), but had some offensive highlights. He somehow won THREE dunk contests. His performance in 2006 almost killed the dunk contest, as this article correctly captured. He missed 14 straight attempts at one point – and won.

So that is my all-time starting 5 of Phoenix Suns draft picks that never actually played for the Suns. That is a lot of talent in the lineup, and a lot of ‘what ifs’ for Suns fans. 

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