PHOENIX — With the No. 22 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns are likely to select either a point guard, a wing or a backup center, according to PHNX's Kellan Olson.
While team owner Mat Ishbia hasn't been shy when it comes to spending money to win, the front office will be limited in offseason moves because of where they are in the league's tax bracket. That includes the draft set for Wednesday afternoon.
The Suns will dish out more than $68 million in luxury tax payments for the 2023-24 season, and are currently projected to lead the NBA in spending entering the 2024-25 season, according to Spotrac.
Basically, no team needs to be closer to perfect in the upcoming draft than the Suns.
"They have a really strong chance of keeping the pick," Olson said. "Based on restrictions entering the offseason, their options are pretty limited."
Potential draft targets for the Suns include Colorado forward Tristan da Silva, Baylor center Yves Missi, Indiana center Kel'el Ware, Marquette guard Tyler Kolek and Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr., all of whom are in the top 30 of ESPN's best available players.
"Da Silva is the one guy we're watching the most on draft night," Olson said. "He has the skillset perfectly catered for complementing a bunch of superstars.
Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, recently had workouts with the Suns and Los Angeles Lakers, but is he a legitimate first-round consideration?
"It's getting a lot of headlines, rightfully so, but if the Suns trade down, then maybe we can talk about Bronny James (to the Suns)," Olson said.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. The Coyotes play at Mullett Arena on ASU's Tempe campus.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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