PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns are staying busy before Thursday’s second round of the NBA draft. General manager Brian Gregory sent out two future second round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for the 36th pick, and then flipped that pick and two more future second round picks for the 31st pick. The Suns then traded its 52nd and 59th pick to the Golden State Warrios for the 41st pick. Gregory is trading for a top second round picks as the talent pool still available is stacked. Phoenix has two second round picks for Thursday’s second round, those being 31st and 42nd.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Suns are looking for enough cheap and young talent they can garner, with the franchise still looming over the second apron. Gregory will have three chances to add a rotational piece to next year’s squad.
Jun 10, 2025; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns general manager Brian Gregory during an introductory press conference at the Verizon 5g Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Who’s still available for the Suns:
The biggest surprise prospect to drop into the second round is Saint Joseph’s Rasheer Fleming. The 20-year-old was a projected mid-20s pick in the first round, but has found his name still on the board on Thursday. In his junior season with the Hawks, Fleming averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.9 stocks. He is an athletic 6’9 and shoots 39% from the three-point line.
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
Fleming could be the reason that Gregory and his staff traded up for the top pick in the second round, or it could b Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud. The 7’1 Frenchman was All-ACC in his senior season with the Cardinal, recording 20.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. The 22-year-old is the prototypical modern big man with his massive size and ability to shoot beyond the arc, shooting 34.7% from 3 on 5.5 attempts per game.
Dec 21, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) looks to pass defended by San Diego State Aztecs forward Jaedon LeDee (13) during the second half at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The hit-rate in late second round picks is like hitting the lottery, but Gregory has a safe bet at 41st overall with Gonzaga’s Ryan Nembhard. His name has been thrown around as a possibility for Phoenix, as it held a workout for the Bulldogs point guard. Nembhard is a floor general and a leader for Gonzaga and had a career-high in assists (9.8), steals (1.7) and 3-point percentage (40.4%) this past year.
Did the Suns overpay for Mark Williams with two 1st-round picks?
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
