The Phoenix Suns will lead off the second round of the NBA Draft Thursday with the 31st pick, which they agreed to acquire from the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 36 pick and two future second-rounders. Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro confirmed the initial report from ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Suns are expected to draft St. Joe’s forward Rasheer Fleming, according to Charania. Gambadoro adds he was a top-20 player on their big board.
Phoenix had acquired the No. 36 pick from the Brooklyn Nets for two future second-round picks hours earlier on Thursday.
The Suns in a separate trade dealt the Nos. 52 and 59 picks for the 41st pick, a deal with the Golden State Warriors.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Phoenix and first-year general manager Brian Gregory initially retained their 2025 second-round picks at 52 and 59, giving them three picks hours before the round begins at 5 p.m. MST.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports the Suns to first acquire the 36th pick sent a 2026 pick that has multiple parts and is to-be-determined, plus a 2030 second-round pick that originates from the Boston Celtics.
Brooklyn drafted five players in the first round of the draft alone and likely won’t have roster room to pile on more rookies in this class.
So far in this draft, the Suns kept their lottery selection from that Durant trade to draft Duke’s Khaman Maluach at the No. 10 slot and burned their 29th pick this year to acquire center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets.
With a handful of shooting guards and centers rostered, Phoenix’s needs lie in power forwards, point guards and potentially wings.
A strong group of productive college players remains on the board as the second round begins.
St. Joe’s wing Rasheer Fleming, Arkansas forward Adou Thiero, Duke guard Tyrese Proctor, Duke wing Sion James, Marquette point guard Kam Jones, Kentucky guard Koby Brea, St. John’s forward RJ Luis and Gonzaga point guard Ryan Nembhard are among the big-name college players in ESPN’s best available players with the second round up.