Valley of the Suns
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Re-Drafting Ryan McDonough’s five drafts

By Branden Wyss

BOSTON - NOVEMBER 17: Before game time, Suns general manager Ryan McDonough, center, chats with Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, left, and Sean Grande, the voice of the Celtics. Pagliuca shares video of his son's Saturday Duke game against Fairfield. The Boston Celtics host the Phoenix Suns, at the TD Garden, on Monday, November 17, 2014. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - NOVEMBER 17: Before game time, Suns general manager Ryan McDonough, center, chats with Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, left, and Sean Grande, the voice of the Celtics. Pagliuca shares video of his son's Saturday Duke game against Fairfield. The Boston Celtics host the Phoenix Suns, at the TD Garden, on Monday, November 17, 2014. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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Phoenix Suns 2014 NBA Draft

AUBURN HILLS, MI – FEBRUARY 3: Zach LaVine
AUBURN HILLS, MI – FEBRUARY 3: Zach LaVine /

Original Picks:

Pick #                 Name 
  14                 T.J. Warren
  18                 Tyler Ennis
  27         Bogdan Bogdanovic
  50                 Alec Brown

What a strange draft. So far in the league, this draft has been a mix of very bad players, decent role players, and even fewer potential All-Stars. There are very few ways this draft could have realistically gone in Phoenix’s favor.

During the draft the Suns allegedly promised T.J. Warren he would be drafted at 14th overall. I remember watching this draft, actually wanting Zach Lavine but I had a feeling he would easily be off the board by this time. There he was at pick 13 and the Timberwolves took him.

Imagine a trading of draft picks for the Suns and Timberwolves? The Suns could have potentially traded up to the 13th pick and selected a phenomenal player in Lavine. This was a draft that the Timberwolves were the worst team in the league, and could use all the young talent they could get.

A trade like that most likely would have looked like:

Suns: 14th and 18th overall to Minnesota

Timberwolves: 13th and Shabazz Muhammed to the Suns

This would have worked out in both teams favor, as Muhammed had an awful first year with Minnesota, and the Timberwolves could have essentially reset on who they drafted at this position. Who knows, maybe Muhammed might have flourished with a more prominent role on the Suns.

Lastly, Bogdan Bogdonavic is a phenomenal shooter, and a wonderful draft and stash choice at this position so we’ll keep that pick the same.

Result:

13th overall: Zach Lavine

27th Overall: Bogdan Bogdonavic

Shabazz Muhammed (trade)

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