The Phoenix Suns might have had to watch as their 2025 NBA Draft pick - which ended up landing in the 10th spot - was gratefully cashed in by the Houston Rockets, but that doesn't mean the landing spots unveiled during the lottery didn't impact them.
If anything the surprise leaps of the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers into the top three spots respectively have presented more questions than answers. As this piece has already excellently broken down, you could make a case for all three of those franchises trading away their top three pick before the draft itself actually takes place.
This presents the Suns with an incredible opportunity to start over.
It has been accepted since around the trade deadline that Kevin Durant will not be back next season. We're still waiting to see what teams start sniffing around, but there is no doubt that the inability of plenty of stars to score when a game slows down during the postseason has made the talents of the 36-year-old as attractive as ever if you're trying to win it all.
Then there is Devin Booker, the superstar that many fans - as well as franchise owner Mat Ishbia - believe the Suns should re-tool around. Booker has never given any indication he wants to play anywhere else, and his actions since their season ended in how visible he has been throughout the community in Phoenix feel like a player who is happy to stay in The Valley.
But if Durant really is gone, could the Suns test the resolve of the Spurs by taking the number two draft pick - plus a whole lot more - in return for Booker? That way they could get something of value for Durant, before the adding the real mother load of the presumed second selection in Dylan Harper, as well as the likes of Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.
The Suns would reset their backcourt immediately, and there would be additional picks and players to be added to the mix as well. Booker gets a chance to win alongside De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama, and both teams win. It would also give the incoming head coach in Phoenix - whoever that may be - the kind of runway needed to build something real in Phoenix again.
The Suns are rumored to be after a first time head coach - and much like Jamahl Mosley with the Orlando Magic - should be looking for somebody who can grow with a young team. It wouldn't get much younger than the second pick, Castle plus the likes of Ryan Dunn and even Oso Ighodaro, with that section of fans who are jaded being given a chance to fall in love with the team again.
This would also have the added bonus of ensuring Bradley Beal waives his no-trade clause, so as to try and compete elsewhere. The list of teams vying for his services is small, although he could be moved - subsequently stretched and waived - and then sign wherever he wanted to. The Suns would then have some first round picks to send on to make it worth it for whoever signed up for that trade.
This wouldn't have been a conversation had the Spurs not lucked into such a high pick, and it won't work with the Mavericks or 76ers, but for different reasons. The Mavericks would be insane not to take Cooper Flagg after the season they just had, while the Suns are unlikely to want the third selection plus a guy like Paul George. The Spurs though, now that's a conversation worth having.