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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INGLEWOOD, CA – APRIL 14: Michael Finley #4 of the Phoenix Suns drives during a game played on April 14, 1996 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. 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 1996 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA – APRIL 14: Michael Finley #4 of the Phoenix Suns drives during a game played on April 14, 1996 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. 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 1996 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Michael Finley’s time in Phoenix was short-lived, anti-climactic, but ultimately very productive for the Suns.

Finley was selected 21st overall in 1995, the pick being a product of the Suns’ trade of Cedric Ceballos to the Los Angeles Lakers the season prior. A Swiss Army Knife player would could play shooting guard, small forward, and even a little power forward in a pinch, Finley’s rookie season was a tremendous surprise, especially when considering where in the first round he was taken, becoming the team’s starting small forward eight games into the year.

Averaging 15.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals per game, while shooting 32.8 percent from 3, Finley was poised enough as a rookie to help the Suns make a solid playoff run (even though the team finished 41-41 with Cotton Fitzsimmons back at the helm, they did believe that they had both the talent and the playoff pedigree to go deep into the playoffs), only to have his year end abruptly with a severely sprained ankle in the second half of the regular season finale. Finley never made it back, and Phoenix was bounced in the first round 3-1 at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs.

Finley healed up and that summer Charles Barkley was traded to the Houston Rockets. The 1996-97 team had tremendous difficulty gelling together initially, leading to an 0-13 start and Fitzsimmons’ final retirement after losing his first 8 games. Then, following a blowout loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day, Finley was traded on December 26, to the Dallas Mavericks in a package that brought Phoenix back superstar point guard Jason Kidd.

Finley would spend eight and a half seasons in Dallas, averaging 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 35.7 percent from 3 over his first five full seasons.

In 2005, he signed as a free agent with the Spurs where he spent three and a half seasons, winning a title in 2007, before ending his career with a brief stint with the Boston Celtics.

While Finley’s career extended well beyond his short time with the Suns, he started out as a productive player, one who appeared like a potential core piece for many years to come, but whose move was ultimately necessary for the team to acquire a superstar in Kidd.

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