The Phoenix Suns have traded superstar forward Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in a package that includes Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick, and five future second-round selections. This puts the Suns in transition as Durant’s time in Phoenix was short-lived and unsuccessful. They turned in a disappointing performance, missing the play-in tournament as the 11th seed in the Western Conference this past season.
The Suns will now have two first-round picks in this Wednesday’s NBA Draft at No. 10 and No. 29, giving them some great flexibility to continue to build around Devin Booker. That flexibility will disappear in the long-term as they don’t hold the rights to their first-round selections for the foreseeable future. There is no question whether the start of a new era is arriving in Phoenix. However, the Suns’ draft strategy entering Wednesday will give understanding on the team’s direction.
A New Era in Phoenix: The Suns Draft Strategy Post-KD Trade
Still Looking to Compete in the Valley
The trade is still fresh and the Suns received a quality return for a 36-year-old superstar. Green and Brooks played vital roles in Houston’s resurgence last season, helping the team earn the No. 2 seed in a competitive Western conference. Particularly, Green led the team as their fringe No. 1 option, averaging 21 points per game throughout the regular season. However, he ended his Rockets tenure with an underwhelming playoff performance in the first round against the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors.
With Green being the centerpiece of the return for the Suns, Phoenix will hope to get the best out of him during his tenure. The fit next to both Booker and Bradley Beal will be interesting to monitor, as all three are labeled as ball-dominant players. Meanwhile, Brooks will provide a nice veteran, 3-and-D wing presence as the roster needs all the talent they can find. Without control of their first round picks and marginal financial flexibility, we should expect Phoenix to attempt to remain competitive with this new core.
A Quick Retool Around Booker
This trade could create more activity in the organization when shifting focus to the 2025 NBA Draft; the Suns now sit with two first-round picks and two second-round picks. They would be primed to move up for impactful rookie contributors who can help maximize the remainder of Booker’s prime.
Prospects like South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles and Colorado State wing Nique Clifford could be available for the Suns to take at No. 10 if they are looking to compete. Murray-Boyles is one of the best defensive prospects in this year’s draft, which would help improve the lack of defensive talent throughout their roster. For Clifford, he would be another great complimentary piece next to their trio of shot-creating guards.
As many reports are hinting, the Suns may begin to clarify their draft strategy ahead of Wednesday’s first round. That includes trading up from No. 29, where some high-impact prospects could be available. Michigan big Danny Wolf and Arkansas forward Adou Thiero are prospects they could potentially consider. Wolf provides a unique offensive skillset the Suns could optimize, while Thiero has an explosive first step and possesses great physicality and versatility as a defender.
Entering the Long Game
However, they could use this trade to start on an entirely new path. To begin, the Suns would build their draft strategy around selecting multiple high-upside prospects throughout their 2025 draft class. Prospects like French wing Noa Essengue, Arizona forward Carter Bryant, and BYU hybrid wing Egor Demin could make intriguing fits in Phoenix.
Updated ESPN mock draft after the KD trade has the Suns selecting Arizona’s Carter Bryant 10th overall: pic.twitter.com/sROrDMm8mr
— Jenna Fink (@jennamfink) June 22, 2025
Bryant would give the Suns a toolsy forward with great athleticism. He is continuing to develop his crisp handle and provides immense potential as highly productive 3-and-D wings. However, Bryant’s more polished jumper separates the skillsets of foreign-born prospects the Suns may consider, like Essengue or Demin. Not to mention, Bryant’s in-state connection should only benefit this possibility.
Phoenix is in an interesting situation this offseason, which may further shape their long-term outlook. The long game may not suit Booker’s timeline, but moving on from a failed era and building upon a new timeline could be the best option for the organization’s future.
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