PHOENIX — The NBA's Pacific Division wasn't the destination for 18-year-old phenoms during the draft's first round on Wednesday night.
Instead, these teams sought grown men who could hopefully help right away.
The Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns had picks in the mid-to-late first round and were on the hunt for veteran college players who could be rotation players during a potentially deep playoff run next spring.
The Suns did some maneuvering on Wednesday night, trading the No. 22 selection to the Nuggets for the No. 28 pick, No. 56 pick and two more future second-round selections. Phoenix took Virginia wing Ryan Dunn at No. 28, giving the team a defensive standout to play with the team's star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
The breakdown:
Team need(s): The Suns could use a point guard after struggling with turnovers last season, particularly in the fourth quarter. They also could use perimeter defense and a backup big man.
Who did the team draft: After moving down six spots in the trade with Denver, the Suns took Dunn at No. 28. The 21-year-old is considered maybe the best defensive player in the draft, which is something the Suns needed.
Whose game does the first-round draft pick most compare to and why: Dunn could be a player in the mold of New Orleans wing Herb Jones, who made the All-Defensive team last season in his third year in the league. Jones was the No. 35 selection in the 2021 draft.
With Dunn's selection in the first round Wednesday, the Suns now turn to the second round of the NBA Draft expected to begin Thursday afternoon.
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