Phoenix Suns Lose Draft Pick After Investigation
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns got off to a superb 108-104 win over the Golden State Warriors last night, though they woke up to news of an investigation for one of their moves made over the summer.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein on Twitter:
"The NBA has been investigating the Suns for potential impermissible early contact in free agency with Drew Eubanks, sources tell the @TheSteinLine. A ruling is expected soon. Teams are typically docked a second-round pick if found in violation."
Today, the NBA indeed confirmed the Suns would be losing a 2024 second-round pick.
"The NBA announced today that the Phoenix Suns violated league rules governing the timing of this season's free agency discussions and that the league has rescinded the 2024 second-round Draft pick (Denver's own) that Phoenix acquired from Orlando in a prior trade. This outcome reflected a finding that Phoenix engaged in free agency discussions involving Drew Eubanks prior to the date when such discussions were permitted. The team fully cooperated with the investigation."
In response, the Suns released the following statement:
"We are disappointed with the results of the NBA investigation. If there was a violation, it was inadvertent. We are focused on complying with league rules and competing at the highest level every year. With that being said, we accept the penalty from the league and are focused on looking forward to this season.Eubanks - who previously played for the Portland Trail Blazers - inked a two-year, $5 million deal on the first day of free agency."
Eubanks was part of a strong free agent class that mostly signed vet minimums to help fill holes on a roster that already held names such as Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal among others.
The Suns added names such as Eric Gordon, Yuta Watanabe, Keita Bates-Diop while re-signing Josh Okogie and Damion Lee to the roster.
Shortly after, Phoenix traded Deandre Ayton to Portland for Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson.
Eubanks contributed nicely in Phoenix's season opener, according to our own Kevin Hicks.
"Eubanks wasn't much of a scoring threat in his 19 minutes of game action, and that was perfectly fine. The former Blazer flashed the reasons why Phoenix decided to move on from Jock Landale in favor of him.
Eubanks product showed game-changing motor as well as athleticism in many key moments throughout the game, grabbing eight boards and blocking three shots.
The Suns are on the road again Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
