Phoenix

Suns

Acquired from the Hornets in January, Richards experienced some success with the Suns before his production tailed off down the stretch. While Phoenix has picked up his option worth $5 million, the contract could be attractive to include in a trade if the Suns were to go that route. And if Richards sticks with the team, he’ll be part of a crowded depth chart that now includes Mark Williams and lottery pick Khaman Maluach. Unless Richards is moved to a situation where he’s guaranteed to log significant minutes, there’s no reason for fantasy managers to draft him.

Bol will not return to Phoenix for a third season, and he’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The stretch five will likely garner interest from a number of teams, with the center-needy Lakers a potential suitor.

While the 6-foot-11 Huntley may not have been on most draft radars, he performed well during the pre-draft process. During his final season at Appalachian State, he averaged 15.7 points and eight rebounds per game, ranking within the top-10 in the Sun Belt in both statistical categories. Huntley will likely spend most of his time in the G League, especially with Phoenix adding Mark Williams and Khaman Maluach over the last two days.

The Rockets made the official selection, but the pick that had been in the Kevin Durant trade was held by the Suns, who traded Mashack’s draft rights to the Grizzlies. Try to keep up. While not much of a perimeter shooter, the former Tennessee wing is a tenacious defender who mastered the “little things” that can make a big difference during his college career. Mashack will face a challenging battle in Memphis for a place in the team’s rotation, even with Desmond Bane being traded to the Magic.

Golden State made this pick, but it’s headed to Phoenix as part of a trade reported earlier Thursday. Brea played four years at Dayton before joining Kentucky for his fifth and final collegiate season. The 6'6, 202-pound wing finished the 2024-25 campaign with averages of 11.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.6 triples. He shot 43.5% from beyond the arc last season and a blistering 49.5 percent from downtown the season prior. Brea has obvious potential as a three-point specialist in the NBA, though it’s unknown if he can impact other areas of the game. Heading to Phoenix, he can provide high-level catch-and-shoot ability for a team that must account for Kevin Durant’s departure via trade. However, he’s joining a team that is loaded with wings, which may complicate things regarding Brea’s ability to crack the rotation as a rookie.

While Minnesota made this pick, it was done on behalf of the Suns. Fleming earned All A-10 honors as a junior with St. Joe’s behind averages of 14.7 points, 8.5 boards, 1.3 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.5 swats and 1.8 triples across 31.3 minutes per game. The big-bodied forward provided efficient 53/39/74 shooting splits and strong defense. At 6’8, 232 pounds, Fleming has the size to guard multiple positions, and he’s got a sweet touch from beyond the arc. He profiles as a three-and-D specialist at the next level, playing most comfortably at forward but potentially deployed as a small-ball center. Given how poor the Suns were defensively last season, Fleming has the tools needed to make an impact on that end of the floor.

This was an aggressive 10-minute stretch from the Suns. Reports from Charania indicate that Phoenix is leaning towards Rasheer Fleming with this pick, and he would be an incredible three-and-D addition for them after he slid to round two. They also still have the 41st pick, which they will likely use to address the point guard position. Kam Jones, Tyrese Proctor and Javon Small would all be interesting options.

Phoenix now holds picks 36 and 41, so they should be able to add some talent quickly. They addressed the center spot in the first round by drafting Khaman Maluach and trading for Mark Williams. They also have plenty of options on the wing with Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Bradley Beal, Dillon Brooks and Ryan Dunn. They can always use more defense, and they do need to figure out the point guard position. Kam Jones, Tyrese Proctor, Adou Thiero and Alijah Martin would all be intriguing options for the Suns with their two second-round picks.

The Suns had an eventful first night of the draft as they acquired Mark Williams from the Hornets in a trade and selected Khaman Maluach. The second night of the draft is shaping up to be busy for the Suns as well as the team now controls picks 36, 52 and 59. It’s already clear the team will have a new look next year with Williams and Maluach. Not to mention Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, who they acquired from the Rockets in the trade for Kevin Durant.