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Watch the Valley of the Suns Live! Draft Re-cap episode!

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 22: Draft pick DeAndre Ayton poses for a portrait at the Post NBA Draft press conference on June 22, 2018, at Talking Stick Resort Arena 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 22: Draft pick DeAndre Ayton poses for a portrait at the Post NBA Draft press conference on June 22, 2018, at Talking Stick Resort Arena 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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If you missed this week’s Valley of the Suns Live! Phoenix Suns Draft Recap episode, you can catch the replay now here!

We finally know the first four players the Phoenix Suns have added to their roster this offseason, those who were either selected or traded for during the NBA Draft last Thursday afternoon. Phoenix took center Deandre Ayton first overall, traded up six spots for small forward Mikal Bridges, they selected point guard Elie Okobo with the first pick of the second round, and finally shooting guard George King with the second to last pick in the draft.

Fans were obviously excited with the selection of Ayton, the franchise’s first dominant center, to which if that had been the team’s only draft pick I would have given the entire draft an “A.” Yet many were left scratching their heads with the trade up for Bridges as Phoenix traded the Miami Heat’s 2021 unprotected first round pick which they had acquired in the trade for Goran Dragic.

The key to this trade will be if Bridges is able to start right away, which it seems has been the hope, if not expectation, all along. If Bridges is an impact player right away, and remains so through the 2021-21 regular season (presumably developing into a standout 3-and-D player), then almost whatever happens with the 2021 pick is irrelevant since Phoenix will have selected a second player of tremendous value in the 2018 draft.

In this episode fans were also interested in what the Suns will do next this offseason, and specifically what they will do in regards to trade and free agency.

It is my expectation that the Suns’ biggest moves will not occur in free agency. Rather, I believe that that area of player addition will be used on veterans strictly to add depth to the roster where additional depth is needed.

It is my presumption that the Suns’ biggest moves (especially if anyone flashy is acquired, will occur in trade. While the 2021 pick is no longer available to use in trade, Phoenix still has enough assets to pull of a trade for a potential long-term solution at point guard, and possibly a power forward, if one is available.

Next: Breaking down the Phoenix Suns' post draft roster

Don’t forget that Valley of the Suns Live! streams on Twitter, Periscope, and YouTube every Monday evening at 6pm AZ as we discuss live with you the fans  any and all topics surrounding the Suns! Join us!

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