Valley of the Suns
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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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PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 28: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics looks to pass while under pressure from Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns during a game on January 28, 2011 at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2011 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 28: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics looks to pass while under pressure from Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns during a game on January 28, 2011 at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2011 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

In an era when the Suns traded first-round picks like a grocer throws out rotten apples, in the 2006 NBA Draft they moved their late first-round pick for the third season in a row, this time passing on the opportunity to select Rajon Rondo, and instead saving their money to attempt to keep veteran free agent Tim Thomas, placing their bets on a veteran who could continue to help the team rather than a rookie who might sit and not help the team right away.

Well, they were wrong as the player they drafted for the Boston Celtics turned out not only to be one of the best passers of his era, winning a championship in 2008, but would have been the absolutely perfect compliment to Steve Nash coming off the bench, and later the perfect replacement as well.

Oh, and the Suns missed out on Tim Thomas when he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, the very team his 3-point shooting helped to bury in the 2006 Western Conference Semifinals. I suppose even if you can  beat them that sometimes you join them.

For Rondo, he became the Celtics’ starting point guard by the end of his rookie season, then never came off the bench again in his remaining eight years with the franchise. Rondo would quickly become one of the league’s best two-way point guards — leading the league in a assists three times (averaging over 11 assists per game four times), steals once, and earning four All-Defensive honors, including first team twice.

One of Rondo’s best statistical seasons was in 2009-10, the last time the Suns made the playoffs, with a career-high 13.7 points per game, 2.3 steals per game, and 9.8 assists. He followed that year up with three consecutive 11.1+ assist seasons, winning the assist title twice, losing to Steve Nash by 0.2 the third time.

Rondo continues to be a productive point guard to this day, past his prime, although in a period after Nash when having a strong point guard was something the team struggled to find (and hold onto), he would have been the perfect fit.

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