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Phoenix Suns: Top 15 best draft picks in franchise history

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns moves the ball upcourt during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at US Airways Center on February 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 102-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns moves the ball upcourt during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at US Airways Center on February 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 102-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Phoenix Suns are one of the best drafting franchise’s in NBA history. This is a list of the top-15 players they have ever drafted.

PHOENIX, AZ – FEBRUARY 19: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns moves the ball upcourt during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at US Airways Center on February 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 102-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – FEBRUARY 19: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns moves the ball upcourt during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at US Airways Center on February 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 102-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Prior to the 2018 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns have made 302 draft selections all-time dating all the way back to their first ever rookie draft selection, Gary Gregor, whom they took No. 8 overall in the 1968 NBA draft.

Of those 302, Phoenix Suns general managers have made a number of tremendous selections that include many All-Stars, All-NBA players, as well as MVP’s and Hall of Famers. The list of accomplishments that a number of players have accrued over the past 50 drafts is very impressive, and the number of great draft picks will only continue to grow, especially with so many top-five selections in the mid-to-late 2010s.

But within that vast group of former high school and college stars turned pro, only a small percentage have been truly memorable. Some were in fact quite special, a few making their careers with the Suns, others with other teams.

This is a list of the top-15 draft picks – from any round – in Phoenix Suns history.

Before clicking on, I wanted to offer my Honorable Mentions. There are a number of additional players that I considered for the top-15, but none of them quite made the cut:  T.J. Warren, Richard Dumas, Josh Jackson, Marcin Gortat, Jay Humphries, Wesley Person

I do want to offer though my brief opinion on Richard Dumas: there may not be another player in franchise history who had the potential that he did but was unable to live up to his athletic billing. It is fascinating to look back at what he accomplished his rookie season only to never be able to fully realize the kind of NBA player he could have been. I was somewhat tempted to place him at 15 just based on his rookie season in 1992-93 and the promise that he had heading into the rest of the decade. Unfortunately, his lack of longevity held him back.

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