The Phoenix Suns traded up to draft Koa Peat with the 30th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but the choice was dealt for James Harden and Anthony Davis before any player was selected. It went from the Thunder to the 76ers in the 2023 trade that sent Harden to the Clippers. Philly moved it to Washington in 2025 before the Wizards flipped it to Dallas for AD at the 2026 deadline. The Mavs moved up in the draft, which allowed the Suns to get it from the Knicks. The pick was well traveled before Peat was even selected.
The Suns gave up three second-round draft picks and cash to move up to the final pick in the first round. New York was set on saving money and getting future capital to use in a trade. The defending champs were happy to let Phoenix move up to land Peat.
The 30th pick isn’t a prime asset, but it was traded for two future Hall of Famers before the Suns were even on the clock. Everyone knew it would be the final pick of the first round when Dallas, New York, and Phoenix acquired it, but that wasn’t the case when OKC sent it to Philly.
Suns' draft pick was already traded for Anthony Davis and James Harden
This selection was dealt twice in the midst of drama. Harden forced his way out of Philadelphia after his relationship with Daryl Morey fractured. The Sixers did well to get value from this deal.
Mavs fans never embraced Davis, but it wasn’t the future Hall of Famer's fault. Nico Harrison foolishly traded Luka Doncic in the middle of his prime just months after leading Dallas to the NBA Finals. Harrison wanted AD and made a disastrous deal to acquire him. Firing Nico wasn’t going to be enough. Dallas had to trade Davis and completely reset around Cooper Flagg.
The final pick in the first round was traded five times, including twice for star players, before the Phoenix Suns drafted Koa Peat. It was sent from Oklahoma City to Philly in 2023 for James Harden. The Sixers dealt it to Washington in 2025 before it was sent to Dallas in the Anthony Davis trade. The Mavs shipped it to New York before the Knicks flipped to Phoenix on draft night. The pick took a wild path to get Peat on the Suns.
The 6'7 wing would have been a top 15 pick if he had a better jumpshot. Peat is known for winning and being a versatile forward. The only thing missing from his game is a consistent jumper. Expect the Suns to work hard to try to help him add that missing piece.
The Phoenix Suns hope Koa Peat grows into a key piece around Devin Booker. They traded up to get him and clearly expressed confidence in his future. Peat gets a guaranteed rookie-scale contract for being the final pick in the first round. The Suns have their superstar and are trying to build around him. Do not expect Peat to rival James Harden or Anthony Davis, but this pick was traded for those future Hall of Famers.
Add us as a preferred source on Google