Valley of the Suns
Fansided

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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PORTLAND, OR – 1992: Jeff Hornacek #14 of the Phoenix Suns looks up at scoreboard during a game played in 1992 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – 1992: Jeff Hornacek #14 of the Phoenix Suns looks up at scoreboard during a game played in 1992 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Where did the Suns of the early 2010s come up with the idea of a two point guard system? From a successful one that in the late 1980s and early 1990s featured Kevin Johnson, and the franchise’s 14th best ever draft pick, Jeff Hornacek.

Also selected in the second round, 46th overall, Hornacek was a sharp-shooting guard with tremendous passing ability who for four-and-a-half seasons shared the backcourt with KJ, leading Phoenix to two Western Conference Finals, becoming a 20-point scorer, and earning himself his only career All-Star selection in 1992.

Hornacek was one of the key players in the four successful seasons under Cotton Fitszimmons, but was also the key player in the trade for Charles Barkley in the summer of 1992. Many people believed that the Suns were not going to get Barkley for anything less than a package that included Johnson, by this point, a two-time All-Star and superstar point guard in the NBA.

Fortunately for the Suns, the Philadelphia 76ers accepted the package centered around Hornacek and Barkley was able to take the franchise to another level.

Hornacek would have an additional eight very productive seasons in the NBA playing for Philadelphia for a year and a half, then for six and a half seasons with the Utah Jazz, averaging 15.2 points, 4.5 assists per game and shooting 40.8 percent from beyond the arc of that period. Because of his time in Utah, which included two trips to the NBA Finals, he was rewarded with his No. 14 being retired in 2002.

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