The Phoenix Suns proved the rumors true Tuesday night by trading into the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
NBA reporter Jake Fischer reported ahead of the draft that if the Suns were to trade into Round 1, they’d do so looking to target University of Arizona standout Koa Peat. Well, they did exactly that, taking a circuitous route to trade with the New York Knicks who effectively traded back twice to jump out of the first round.
Sources: New York traded No. 25 pick Sergio De Larrea to the Dallas Mavericks for No. 30 Koa Peat and two second-round picks. And then the Knicks traded Peat to the Phoenix Suns for three-rounders and cash. So Knicks move out of the first round -- pick up 5 seconds and cash.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2026
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania was among the reporters relaying the wheeling the dealing, noting that the No. 47 pick in this year’s second round was among the three second rounders Phoenix will send to New York to complete the deal and acquire Peat.
What does Koa Peat bring to the Phoenix Suns?
Unlike several mock drafts ahead of the proceedings that had the Suns targeting University of Arizona guard Jaden Bradley at No. 47 overall, Phoenix added his Wildcats teammate.
The 6-foot-7 Peat is a physical specimen who uses his size to finish through contact and get to his spots inside the 3-point arc. At just 19 years old, he still has plenty of time to develop — which is a good outlook given that Peat attempted just 20 3-pointers all season while with Arizona (making seven of them for a 35% clip).
Peat certainly fits the power forward spot the Suns have been lacking while playing small-ball lineups including both Dillon Brooks and Royce O’Neale at the forward spots. That being said, Peat’s game at this stage does not include reliable outside shooting, so spacing could become an issue if he’s tasked with playing alongside another big like Oso Ighodaro or Khaman Maluach.
On the bright side, Peat contributed to winning basketball. He helped guide Arizona to its first Final Four appearance since 2001. NBA.com's prospect analysis of Peat compares him to fellow Arizona power forward Aaron Gordon, who likewise was not a great outside shooter when he entered the NBA but later developed that skill to spread the floor with the Denver Nuggets.
In 36 games (all starts), Peat averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a one-and-done freshman. He contributed on both ends of the court and should be a solid defender on the interior where he can use his strength to deter opponents in the post.
If nothing else, it appears the Suns are doubling down on defensive toughness, physicality and grit. The Arizona Wildcats played a unique style of basketball for the modern setting by attacking the interior and scoring with 2-pointers instead of launching a ton of shots from beyond the arc. Peat thrived in that system, but modern NBA power forwards serve their teams best when they're a threat from 3-point territory that defenses can't simply ignore (gestures toward Draymond Green).
There are obvious areas of Peat’s game he needs to improve — outside shooting chief among them — but his physicality and impact on winning should fit well alongside Brooks, Devin Booker and Co. in The Valley.
Now he has to prove he was worth the price tag of three second-round picks to move up and add him to the roster.
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