Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough let it be known that he is willing to trade the first pick in the NBA draft, which would be a huge mistake.
In NBA history, the first overall pick has been traded seven times before the player selected ever played a minute in the league. Most recently in the 2017 draft with the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers essentially swapping the first and the third picks. Trading the first pick rarely happens for a reason. Now for the first time in the franchise’s history, the Phoenix Suns have the ability to pick at the number one spot in the draft. However, there’s a chance that opportunity could be traded away according to Suns general manager Ryan McDonough. Trading away a chance to pick first overall in the draft would be the biggest mistake of McDonough’s career.
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According to ESPN, McDonough would be willing to trade down in the draft or an elite veteran with several years on his contract. Beyond Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic, there are major questions regarding the other top prospects. Marvin Bagley III has questions about his defense, Jaren Jackson Jr. has foul problems that could inhibit him in the pros and Trae Young has turnover problems along with poor shooting numbers. Just to name a few. While trading back might sound nice, it could put the Suns in the position not to draft the best player available which is a mistake.
In regards to trading for an established NBA star, the ESPN article listed a few that could be on McDonough’s radar. The list includes Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Donovan Mitchell, Damian Lillard, Karl-Anthony Towns and Nikola Jokic. An impressive list to be sure, each should be a top player in the NBA for years to come, however none of which are still worth the number one pick. Each of the players on this listed in the ESPN article has their own flaw or ceiling which shouldn’t make them fair price for the number one pick. For example, site expert Adam Maynes of Valley of the Suns covered the negative aspect of trading for Towns in his article. Adding a veteran might mess with the Suns chances to add more veteran talent around the core of Booker and for example Towns due to salary cap implications, as Maynes alluded to in that same article. Trading the pick away for a veteran might allow the Suns to win now, but it might only be for a couple of seasons versus a possible decade or more with the number one pick.
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Under no circumstances should the Suns trade the first overall pick. It doesn’t matter whether Ayton or Doncic should be the top pick in the draft, both players have to potential to transform the franchise. It’s unknown how good either on these players will become, but the Phoenix Suns would never be able to enjoy their potential and find out if they trade their away pick away. This is the first time Phoenix has a chance of picking first overall and they shouldn’t trade that chance.