So the Phoenix Suns weren’t even supposed to be in the first round. Then they got antsy and made a move.
Right before the clock ran out on Thursday night, Phoenix swung a deal with the Dallas Mavericks to jump to No. 30 overall and grab Arizona forward Koa Peat. ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel broke the initial news. The bigger picture? The Suns essentially bought their way into the draft, trading up late to land a local kid who had been on their radar for months.
The actual transaction is a three-team handshake. It went through the New York Knicks, who took on guard Sergio De Larrea from Dallas and moved the 30th pick to Phoenix. The Suns sent picks No. 47 overall and a couple of future second-rounders to New York to make it all work. ESPN’s Shams Charania had the full breakdown.
Why Peat Fits in Phoenix
The Suns have needed size and energy up front for a while. Peat can play immediately as a combo forward who rebounds and guards multiple positions. Arizona fans already know what he brings — toughness around the rim and a motor that doesn’t quit. He’s not a polished shooter yet but he makes winning plays when the game gets physical.
Phoenix has been linked to Peat for weeks. The connection was obvious: Arizona kid, local star, fills a need on a team built around Devin Booker. The Suns front office has been aggressive this offseason trying to reload around their core and Peat is a cheap rotation piece who can grow into a bigger role.
The Suns now have a young frontcourt piece to develop alongside whoever sticks from their veteran group. And for Peat, he stays in state and plays in front of a fanbase that already knows him from McKale Center.
This story is still developing.
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