Patience this summer is key to future Suns championships

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CHICAGO, IL – MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Deandre Ayton poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Keep the number one pick

It sounds like the Suns will be holding onto the first pick to draft Deandre Ayton. He worked out with the team today, and he’s confident they’re going to take him on draft night.

While GM Ryan McDonough hasn’t officially ruled out trading the number one pick, he certainly seems likely to keep it. Which it good, because trading the pick would be a mistake.

Ayton is the best prospect in the draft, both in terms of current talent and upside. He also happens to fill a need for the Suns, who shouldn’t count on Alex Len developing into anything useful.

If the Suns were to package the pick and another player for, say, Karl-Anthony Towns, it would be harmful to the future. Towns is easily a top five center in the NBA, and he’s young enough to fit with the team’s core; this is by no means a criticism of him. But going all in for an established player so early in the rebuild would be to show foolish impatience.

For now, the Suns should make it their focus to acquire as many quality assets as possible. Take Ayton at number one, keep developing previous draft picks, and don’t rush to make a move until the team is ready to compete.

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