PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns general manager has been aggressive in his first ever NBA draft, making multiple draft day trades. Before Thursday’s second round, Gregory traded two future second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets 36th overall pick, and then flipped that pick and two more second round picks for the 31st pick. The two trades made it obvious that the franchise was trying to trade up for a prospect, and ESPN’s Shams Charania has highlighted that it’ll be St. Joseph’s Rasheer Fleming at the 31st pick.
Mar 15, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Saint Joseph’s Hawks forward Rasheer Fleming (13) shoots the ball over Saint Joseph’s Hawks forward Shawn Simmons II (10) in the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Charania on Suns taking Fleming:
Fleming averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.5 blocks in his junior season with the Hawks. The Camden, New Jersey native stands at 6’9 and is uber athletic. His 7’5 wingspan makes him a stellar lob threat and defensive hound on the perimeter and at the rim. He’ll help the Suns massively defensively with his stellar defensive IQ.
Nov 20, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Saint Joseph’s Hawks forward Rasheer Fleming (13) goes to the basket against Kentucky Wildcats guard Justin Edwards (1) during the first half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Gregory could be trying to jump on the bandwagon of the latest NBA trend of a double-big lineup. The Suns just drafted Duke center Khaman Maluach 10th overall and traded for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams. Fleming had a 63.8% true shooting and 39% from three on 4.5 attempts in his last collegiate season. Maluach can play the 4 and play in a lineup with either Maluach or Williams.
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Khaman Maluach stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the tenth pick by the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The potential defensively lineup of Devin Booker-Ryan Dunn-Dillon Brooks-Fleming-Maluach/Williams is a complete 180 compared to last year’s Suns team. The addition of Fleming makes this Phoenix roster filled with length and defensive identity that it didn’t possess last year. The roster is young, athletic and will be hungry to prove doubters wrong, with this rookie class of Maluach and Fleming leading the charge.
Suns trade for the 31st and 41st pick in second round 2025 draft
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
