The Phoenix Suns just pulled off a pretty clever move, turning their single 2031 first-round draft pick into three earlier picks from the Utah Jazz. It’s the kind of deal that could help them build a stronger team right now.
The Suns were running really low on draft picks before this trade. They basically had just two picks left in their pocket – their 2031 first-rounder and a second-round pick from Denver in 2025.
Now they’ve got options. The three picks they’re getting will come in 2025, 2027, and 2029. There’s a catch though – they’ll get the lowest-valued pick each time between Cleveland, Minnesota, and Utah.
It’s a bit of a gamble. That 2031 pick they gave up isn’t protected, which means Utah gets it no matter how valuable it turns out to be. And who knows what the Suns will look like eight years from now?
This move comes right after Phoenix shipped out three second-round picks to grab center Nick Richards from Charlotte.
There might be an even bigger plan in the works. The Suns have been eyeing Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, who recently asked for a trade and has Phoenix on his wish list.
The Heat weren’t interested in a straight-up deal for Butler that included the 2031 pick and All-Star Bradley Beal. Now the Suns have more draft picks to work with in potential trades.
Speaking of Beal, any trade involving him would need his approval since he has a no-trade clause. He’s said he’d consider waiving it, but only for a team that could win a championship.
The Jazz are sitting pretty after this deal. They’ve now got 11 first-round picks over the next seven years, thanks to some smart trading when they dealt away Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell back in 2022.
Time’s ticking though – the NBA trade deadline is February 6. Butler’s made it clear he won’t sign a new deal with Miami, planning to use his $52 million player option for 2025-26 as leverage for a trade.
Pat Riley and the Heat aren’t rushing into anything, even though they’ve been talking with several teams about Butler. But with the Suns now having more draft picks to offer, things could get interesting.
