The Suns nabbed Duke Center Khaman Maluach with the 10th overall selection, then made a flurry of trades after
PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY-TV) - During the NBA draft which started on Wednesday and ended on Thursday, the Suns selected Khaman Maluach, considered by some as the best center in the draft, with the 10th overall selection.
"Everything was off the chart," Suns GM Brian Gregory said. "His work ethic, his ability to be coached, his desire to become, you know, the very best fits in exactly what we're looking to build here in Phoenix."
Phoenix entered the draft with two selections in the first round at 10 & 29. The Suns dealt the 29th selection along with a 2029 first-round pick and Vasilije Micic to Charlotte for Mark Williams. The moves gave the Suns two 7-footers in their front court.
On day two, the Suns traded with Minnesota for the 31st overall selection and chose St. Joseph center, Rasheer Fleming, another seven foot center. Fleming was considered a top 20 overall talent. Phoenix dealt the 36th over pick to Minnesota and two future second-rounders.
Phoenix wasn't done, in a separate trade, the Suns shipped picks 52 and 59 to Golden State for the 41st overall selection. With that pick, the Suns nabbed Kentucky guard Koby Brea, the top three point shooter in the county.
"If you do your research and you do your due diligence and you have a great scouting group," Gregory added. "Some of those picks in that in the 30s and early 40 range, you can really come out with some really good players and I think we did that."
The NBA Summer League, which will feature these new players, kicks off in Las Vegas in July and runs from the 10th through the 20th.