Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA Draft? The Suns say no thanks

Thursday’s draft is a huge day for most NBA teams. The Phoenix Suns will take a pass.

Phoenix already owed Brooklyn four first-round picks from the Kevin Durant trade, including this year’s pick. Now they’ve traded six years of second-round picks to Washington for Bradley Beal, along the right to swap first-rounders in 2024 and 2026.

We have a feeling that the tanking Wizards will not be exercising that pick swap next year.

It’s part of a recent trend in Phoenix to focus outside of the draft for players. Since James Jones took over in 2018, he’s consistently gotten rid of Phoenix’s draft picks. He traded down from No. 6 in the 2019 draft, and then traded Josh Jackson, the No. 4 from 2017, a week later.

Jones parted with No. 24 pick Ty Jerome and the team’s 2022 first-rounder in the Chris Paul trade, dealt lottery pick Marquese Chriss in 2018 and let 2013 lottery pick Alex Len walk. In the Durant deal, former lottery picks Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson headed to Brooklyn.

And in order to add depth around their Big 3 of Beal, Durant and Devin Booker, they may trade their highest pick of all — former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton.

So while the Suns spent a lot of draft capital to put together their super team, they probably weren’t interested in those draft picks anyway. The future is now for Phoenix and the draft is irrelevant.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Bears coach provides massive update QB Caleb Williams' progress
Rookie camp sheds light on Patriots' efforts to develop Drake Maye
First game of 2024 NFL season features rematch between two AFC powerhouses
Bronny James receives medical clearance, expected to remain in draft
Nuggets teach Timberwolves it's never easy to knock out the champion
Panthers come from behind to take Game 4 vs. Bruins
Hawks win 2024 NBA Draft Lottery
Watch: Padres star passes father on all-time home runs list
Terrion Arnold honors his mother in a unique way
Brad Keselowski breaks 110-race winless streak at Darlington
Watch: Manchester United ties record, highlighting club's ineptitude
Celtics' Jrue Holiday praises overlooked aspect of Jayson Tatum's game
Arturs Silovs' 42 saves lead Canucks past Oilers in Game 3
Braves star leaves game early due to left side soreness
Pacers blow out Knicks on Mother’s Day, even series at 2-2
Hawks GM 'shocked' that his team won the NBA Draft Lottery
Prolific former Brewers, A's slugger announces retirement
Saints to sign veteran offensive lineman
Smother's Day: Pacers shut down Knicks in first half of Game 4
Flyers goaltender suspended from international play for three years