Not Drafting Tyrese Haliburton Continues to Haunt Suns

Haliburton famously went 12th in the 2020 draft after months of draft experts believing the Iowa State product would go in the top 10 in the draft - the Suns were one of the franchises that were frequently linked to him.

Phoenix eventually opted to select Jalen Smith with the number 10 pick.

While Smith was a phenomenal talent and has carved out a solid career thus far in the league, he was not at a position of vital need for the Suns at the time, while also frequently being pinned as a prospect that was selected significantly higher compared to big board rankings.

Smith was also eventually traded for Torrey Craig - who left Phoenix just months before he was re-acquired at the trade deadline in 2023.

Haliburton could have been a franchise-changing player. The 6'5" facilitator could have sat behind Chris Paul for multiple seasons while still playing a key role for a title hopeful. Haliburton could have grown in Monty Williams' player-first approach while being surrounded by knockdown shooters and endlessly active offensive talents such as Mikal Bridges.

If push came to shove, Haliburton could have also been included in a potential trade package for Kevin Durant if that time ever came in this scenario - the addition of Haliburton could have afforded Phoenix the ability to retain either Bridges or Cam Johnson - perhaps even both.

Hindsight is 20-20 - but a singular decision that was made by the Suns after the magical bubble run in the summer of 2020 could be the one that haunts the franchise for years to come.