PHOENIX – Recent draft history has shown that the Phoenix Suns aren’t scared to trade up for their guy in the NBA Draft. First year under general manager Brian Gregory, he and his team put on a show by pulling off a multitude of trades. The first was trading the 29th pick for center Mark Williams, a massive piece for the team’s resurgence. However, the bigger example was his determination to snag forward Rasheer Fleming.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Gregory traded four second-round picks in two separate deals to jump to 31st overall to select Fleming, who has shown flashes his rookie season. Entering the 2026 NBA draft, will the second-year GM pull off a similar feat to snag a player he can’t grab at 47th overall?
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 the Suns could target:
This summer, the Suns could lose Mark Williams and Collin Gillespie to free agency, which makes the NBA draft a safety net to replace them. Gregory could look to trade the 47th pick and two more future second-round picks towards the top of the 2nd round to snag some fringe first-round talents. Its not unusual for projected first-rounders to fall in the draft, which could allow Gregory to snag a premier prospect.
Connecticut center Tarris Reed Jr. is currently mocked by ESPN to go 29th overall to Cleveland. If he falls a few spots, Phoenix could find its Williams replacement with a high upside. At 6’10, Reed averaged 14.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks during his senior season with the Huskies. He started all 35 games and emerged during the NCAA tournament, scoring three straight 20-point games.
UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) walks off the court as time ticks off the clock Monday, April 6, 2026, during the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Syndication: The Indianapolis Star
While his March Madness performance might put him out of reach, a more realistic option could be Cincinnati center Baba Miller, who is mocked at 34 by ESPN. The senior led the Big 12 in rebounds with 10.3, while adding 13.0 points per game.
During his junior campaign, Miller showed flashes of his shooting from beyond the arc, shooting 34.2% on 3.4 three-point attempts. Despite not continuing the trend the next year, that output shows signs that Miller has the functions to be a shooting big man at the next level.
Cincinnati Bearcats forward Baba Miller (18) celebrates after completing a layup after being fouled in the first half of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Utah Utes, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO. Syndication: The Enquirer
If the Suns shifts their focus to replacing Gillespie, then he could look overseas to Spanish guard Sergio de Larrea. The 20-year-old has spent the last four seasons at Valencia and has grown into a consistent piece of the rotation for the first time in 2025-2026. In 18.3 minutes, de Larrea averaged 9.7 points, 3.7 assists and 3.0 rebounds, with 40.7% from 3.
The stigma against young players coming from overseas could open the door for de Larrea falling to the second round. At 6’6, he has the height and body to morph into a capable defender in the NBA, despite his lack of speed. The offensive game is already present, his playmaking and outside shooting could easily make him a rotational piece his rookie season for the Suns.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
