Phoenix Suns Best Draft Picks That Never Suited Up For The Suns

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.