The Phoenix Suns should want nothing to do with the 16th pick

Each year in the NBA there are only 30 first round picks available to the entire league. With low quantity and high demand, this makes them a very valuable asset. However the Phoenix Suns should still have no interest in making the 16th selection in this years draft.

The Phoenix Suns are going to be very active this offseason with the goal to be in playoff contention next year. General Manager Ryan McDonough has given every indication that this is his plan.

As it stands, the Phoenix Suns are one of the youngest team in the league. On top of that, they own four picks in this summer’s draft, two in each round. At least one, if not more, of those picks has to go at some point before training camp.

The 16th pick becomes the prime trade target based on the potential return the Suns can receive for it.

Although the 16th pick in the draft is going to give a more valuable player next year than either 2nd round pick it still should be at the top of the list to be traded. Certainly, dangling both second round picks will not return enough to make the team more competitive next year.

This leaves the 16th pick as the pick with the most value and potential to be traded.

This draft is considered to be top heavy with seven-to-ten elite prospects followed immediately by a considerable drop off. If Phoenix is unable to get back into the top-ten, then a second first round pick will not benefit the Suns enough in their current state to warrant keeping it.

As it stands, most of the players projected to go in the teens and 20’s in the draft are guards. Although this is not an issue given the current construction of the roster, none of the players in that range are guaranteed immediate impact players. This would also add another young player that needs time to develop, to an already young roster. The Suns would be better off pursuing a veteran point guard in a trade or free agency, and potentially using the pick to do so.

There is a valid argument that these draft picks will at least fit the Suns’ youth requirements. However the other timeline that needs to be monitored is the countdown to the young player’s second contracts.

It is more beneficial at this point in the rebuild to sprinkle in young players at a slower rate. Adding veterans now and young players in the coming years will increase their performance today and help to extend their competitive window.

Next: Speaking of point guards: How much is too much for Marcus Smart?

Although there is the occasional Donovan Mitchell and Devin Booker, players drafted at this stage in the draft do not typically become impact players right away. The Suns are almost certainly adding one talented rookie with the first overall pick and would be hard pressed to add a second.

There is also a strong group of veteran guards that can be acquired this summer in free agency or by trade. This is why the only picks the Suns should be making in the first round on June 21st are in the top-ten.