Suns Remain Quiet, Don't Enter 2022 NBA Draft
The 2022 NBA Draft has concluded, and the Phoenix Suns walk away with no new draftees. It was the first time since 1998 where Phoenix didn't make any draft picks. It's just the second occurrence in franchise history.
Entering the draft, rumors swirled around the Suns and the potential of hopping back into the draft. Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro said the team was looking to trade with either Oklahoma City, Minnesota or Orlando at some point in the final round of the draft.
The Suns' first-round selection was packaged in the trade that landed Chris Paul with the Thunder, while their second-round pick was used to acquire Torrey Craig.
Heading into the NBA Draft, the Suns were just one of seven teams without a first-round pick in 2022, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz.
Suns Prioritize Free Agency Over NBA Draft
Phoenix heads into the offseason with questions surrounding everything from Deandre Ayton's future status with the team to how the Suns will help bolster scoring off the bench.
Recent reports have suggested Jae Crowder has been shopped around the league. Crowder heads into the final year of his deal and will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
The Suns will also face negotiations for Cam Johnson and Devin Booker, as both are eligible for their respective extensions beginning this summer.
Suns GM James Jones on NBA Draft
Earlier this week, general manager James Jones said this about the draft to ESPN and how he values it:
"The draft is one of many channels where we can acquire talent," Jones says. "It's the one we glorify. It's the one that comes with the excitement. And it comes with an advantage -- the ability to get productive players on low salaries, and under contractual control for multiple years. But it's just one vehicle for acquisition. You can only devote so many resources to it, and there's a different value proposition here.
"You're either trying to win, or you're not trying to win," Jones says. "If you're not trying to win, you can say what you want, but you're trying to lose. You can say, 'Well, let's go slow and win later,' but there are too many things between now and later. I'm trying to win now and win later. Players know every day in the league brings them one day closer to the end of their careers, and I can't waste their days."
That didn't stop Phoenix from doing their due diligence on draft prospects. The Suns brought in around ten (the real number of visits/workouts isn't actually disclosed by the team, only when it's leaked info) players to evaluate.
Players Evaluated by Phoenix Suns
Drafted: Arkansas PF Jaylin Williams (Pick No. 34 to Oklahoma City)
Undrafted: Lester Quinones (SG, Memphis), Collin Gillespie (PG, Villanova), Izaiah Brockington (SG, Iowa State), Jermaine Samuels (SF, Villanova), Marcus Weathers (SF, SMU), Lucas Williamson (SG, Loyola Chicago), Adonis Arms (SG, Texas Tech), Javante McCoy (PG, Boston)
Free agency will begin next weekend, and that's where the Suns will look to improve their roster for next season.
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