Picking at 52 puts the Phoenix Suns in an intriguing spot. As they look to rework the roster, this might not be a “best player available” situation. It might be about filling a need, and in the second round, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, drafting for fit outweighs swinging for upside, especially when the player likely won’t crack the rotation right away.
The presence of a G League affiliate makes that decision more strategic. It gives the Suns a controlled environment to develop talent without burying it behind a crowded depth chart. So while it’s tempting to just take the highest-ranked name on the board, positional need still matters, especially if the Suns can envision a developmental path that turns that player into a contributor a year or two down the line.
Looking at this roster, there’s a case to be made for either an athletic wing or a serviceable big at pick 29. But if Tyus Jones, Monte Morris, or TyTy Washington aren’t back in Phoenix next season, they’ll also need to consider drafting a point guard at 52, someone who may not make an immediate impact, but who could grow into a viable rotation piece.
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 186 pounds
Age: 22 years old
Experience: Two years at Oklahoma, one year at Houston
2024-25 Statistics: 11.4 points (45.3 FG%, 42.8 3PT%, 74.8 FT%), 3.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.4 turnovers, 0.8 steals
Milos Uzan brings some local flavor to the table. Before committing to Oklahoma, he spent time at Dream City Christian in Glendale and was recruited by Arizona State. The Las Vegas native played two seasons with the Sooners before transferring to Houston, where he helped guide the Cougars to a National Championship appearance this past spring.
In the NCAA Tournament, Uzan averaged 10.7 points on eye-catching shooting splits: 41% from the field, 44% from three, and a perfect 100% from the line. He’s a guard who sees the floor, especially in transition, keeping his head up and eyes active. His ability to penetrate the paint collapses defenses and creates opportunities for teammates. He’s shifty, crafty around the rim, and can finish with either hand, even through contact.
There are moments, though, when you can see him processing the game in real-time. The are hesitations that might get exposed at the next level, where decision-making must be instinctual. Still, his ball-handling and vision are clear strengths. He’s a capable creator who keeps the offense moving.
He shot a solid 37.8% from deep in college, though his form could use refinement. His release isn’t quite fluid or quick, so development in that area will be key to unlocking his off-ball potential.
When you watch him, you get shades of Saben Lee, but with more polish as a passer and more confidence as a shooter. Uzan isn’t afraid to let it fly, taking nearly 38% of his shots from beyond the arc, something Lee never quite embraced. Defensively, however, there’s not much on tape. He doesn’t pressure passing lanes or lock up opposing guards. That’s the biggest question mark. Like many young point guards, the challenge will be learning how to stay engaged and disruptive on that end.
Overall, Uzan offers a foundation of playmaking and shooting that could be cultivated in the right system, especially one that can afford him time to develop on the defensive side of the ball.
Maxwell Baumbach of No Ceilings had this to say about Uzan, albeit in October of 2023:
It’s hard not to get excited about Milos Uzan. He’s an exceptional playmaker who can manipulate and bend defenses time and time again. His shiftiness, combined with his ability to play ball screens in a wide variety of ways, makes him one of the trickiest players in the country to contain. It certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s good at the rim, either. Having help come over doesn’t even do much, as he’s great at dumping it off to his big man inside, and he’s outstanding at finding the weakside corner. He’s one of the most creative passers out there, and his knack for slinging off the dribble with both hands makes him a persistent headache. When he gets going, nothing is off the table. All five defenders must be entirely tuned in to what Uzan is doing, and where their man is. His feel is simply too good for any lapses by anyone on the court to go unpunished. He’s truly the ultimate orchestrator of offense.
His off-ball shooting, particularly later on in the year, further adds to the intrigue. At 6’4”, Uzan has ways to make life difficult for the defense at all times. This makes him the modern, malleable guard that teams are looking for. He’s always a threat, and he’s difficult to pick on in a concrete, discernable way on both ends of the court. High-level playmakers who can hit from distance, such as Monte Morris and Andrew Nembhard, have carved out important rotation spots in the NBA. Uzan is bigger than Morris, and there’s a good chance he’ll get to the league at a younger age than Nembhard. I’ll be starting the year with a first-round grade on Milos Uzan. His skill set is exactly what teams should be looking for in a modern guard, and his size only sweetens the pot.
Where is he going in the mocks?
This might be another case where the prospect doesn’t necessarily fit the Suns, or rather, where the Suns’ position at 52nd overall could hinder their ability to land someone who might genuinely help the roster.
Realistically, you’re looking at a long-term developmental piece rather than an immediate contributor. But as we know, the back end of the draft is where things get unpredictable. Picks get shuffled, teams make moves, and value can suddenly appear where none seemed to exist. If Milos Uzan is someone the Suns are targeting, they may need to get proactive, whether that’s by trading up, packaging assets, or simply hoping he slips. This part of the draft gets murky fast, and that’s where opportunity can strike.
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