The Phoenix Suns wasted no time pivoting from an offensive juggernaut led by Kevin Durant to a team that will be led by interior defense in 2025. After using the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which was acquired from Houston in the KD deal, on 7-2 Duke center Khaman Malauch, the Suns found yet another defensive switchblade to add to their group.
The Suns added multiple second-round selections in the Draft via some aggressive trading, including the No. 31 pick formerly held by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Even after the Malauch and Williams moves, the Suns picked another big in Saint Joseph's power forward Rasheer Fleming.
Fleming was deemed one of the more surprising players to escape the first round of the draft, as some mock drafts had him going as high as the first 20 picks. Getting a player like him at No. 31 overall is exactly what a poor defensive team like Phoenix needs at this moment in time.
Suns trade up for Saint Joseph's Rasheer Fleming in second round of NBA Draft
Fleming averaged 14.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game with the Hawks last year. Standing 6-8 with an endless 7-5 wingspan, on-ball defense and versatility will be Fleming's calling card on a Suns team that needs to work out their defensively deficient backcourt of Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Jalen Green.
Fleming's aggressive defense, finishing at the rim, and 39% success rate on 3-pointers make him a worthwhile developmental project, but his lack of offensive creation skills and lack of tape against NBA competition could put a very hard cap on his offensive ceiling.
Fleming will join Malauch, new trade addition Mark Williams, young center Nick Richards, and 2024 draftee Oso Ighodaro in a frontcourt that is all about defensive pressure. Between that group and young defensive stalwart Ryan Dunn, Phoenix is trying to reinvent its style of play on the fly.
While the trade of Kevin Durant means that it will be unlikely for Phoenix to make it to the playoffs in a very crowded Western Conference, bringing Malauch and Fleming into the fold could give the Suns a pair of defensive-first supreme athletes who are eventually molded into quality pro starters.