The Phoenix Suns surprised everybody (except the always in the know Jake Fischer) on the opening night of the NBA Draft, as they gave up what little second round draft picks they had to move into the top 30.
Their decision to take Koa Peat and keep him in state off the back of a Final Four appearance (and first for Arizona) since 2001, being met with mostly positive feedback from the fans.
Peat's arrival means Ryan Dunn's time in Phoenix will soon be over
The Suns going to all this trouble to move up and select Peat (who would not have been on the board by the time their original selection at number 47 was up), means that another first round pick in Ryan Dunn is going to be on the move sooner rather than later.
He has become the odd man out, and being given only two seasons and 144 regular season games to prove his worth shows how ruthless this front office is quietly becoming. A trait they will need if they want to get back to contention in the coming years.
Dunn no longer makes sense on this roster, because they're both trying to win around Devin Booker while also having a youth movement take place in The Valley. Peat (19-years-old), joins Khaman Maluach (19) and Rasheer Fleming (21) as being the real youngsters on the roster, while Oso Ighodaro and Koby Brea are both 23.
The franchise can't bring all of those guys along while still remaining competitive and trying to win games by also playing Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green (for now) and Grayson Allen. Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin have both been brought back, while Mark Williams is likely going to follow.
The question then becomes what the Suns can get for Dunn down the road, bearing in mind he will be eligible for an extension on his rookie deal before long as well.
It does not even make sense for the Suns to keep him at a price that works for them, because he is taking up a precious roster spot and the organization are now incredibly light on second round picks. A pair of them to secure the services of Dunn at the deadline? Sounds about right.
Had his 3-point shot ever developed any consistency, then this would be a different story. But those Mikal Bridges comparisons never truly caught on, and it is Peat who will now be given the minutes and the opportunity to impress at the expense of the former 28th pick in the 2024 draft.
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