Best draft picks in Phoenix Suns history
The draft is a seminal moment for many incoming players. Putting aside competitive stakes, each young athlete's life is irreversibly altered by the fame and fortune that comes with being an NBA player. The exorbitant contract values ensures these players almost never have to worry about personal finances. Plus, these young guns get to play alongside some of their basketball idols for a living. With these high stakes, it's easy to see why the draft is so revered.
Likewise, the fortunes of a city and franchise can be completely transformed by a draft pick. LeBron James, for instance, brought Cleveland its first sports championship in 52 years and was also to the city's downtown economy. It almost goes without saying that Michael Jordan built the Chicago Bulls from the ground up into a championship team whose dynamic would reverberate through the decades.
With that in mind, compiled a list of the best draft picks in Phoenix Suns history using data from . Players were ranked according to a formula that approximates their career achievements, career value, and play quality. The formula encompasses Basketball-Reference.com's , career win shares, and value over replacement player, aka VORP. For players drafted before data is available for VORP, half of the player's win shares were used in its place to calculate their 爆料TV score. Basketball Hall of Fame inductees were given a minimum of 60% for their Hall of Fame probability, indicating a worthy r茅sum茅 for their time but not up to par with some modern players. Scores were normalized to 100 based on the scoring leader. Keep reading to see where your favorite players fall on the list.
#50. Mike Bratz
- 爆料TV score: 1.6
- 66th overall pick in 1977
- Played three seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 7.0 PTS, 1.8 REB, 3.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 11.1 win shares, -1.8 box plus/minus, 0.6 VORP
#49. Kenny Gattison
- 爆料TV score: 1.8
- 55th overall pick in 1986
- Played two seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 7.9 PTS, 4.7 REB, 0.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 16.9 win shares, -2.4 box plus/minus, -1.1 VORP
#48. Lamar Green
- 爆料TV score: 2.1
- 33rd overall pick in 1969
- Played five seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 5.2 PTS, 6.2 REB, 0.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 6.9 win shares
#47. Dean Garrett
- 爆料TV score: 2.2
- 38th overall pick in 1988
- Career averages: 4.8 PTS, 5.0 REB, 0.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 14.1 win shares, -1.4 box plus/minus, 1.1 VORP
#46. Tim Perry
- 爆料TV score: 2.4
- Seventh overall pick in 1988
- Played four seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 6.8 PTS, 4.0 REB, 0.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 14.6 win shares, -1.4 box plus/minus, 1.5 VORP
#45. Ty Jerome
- 爆料TV score: 2.6
- 24th overall pick in 2019
- Played one season with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 9.3 PTS, 2.1 REB, 3.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 11.2 win shares, 0.9 box plus/minus, 3.3 VORP
#44. Billy McKinney
- 爆料TV score: 2.6
- 115th overall pick in 1977
- Career averages: 8.0 PTS, 1.4 REB, 3.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 15.6 win shares, -1.2 box plus/minus, 1.7 VORP
#43. Jalen Smith
- 爆料TV score: 2.7
- 10th overall pick in 2020
- Played one season with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 8.7 PTS, 5.5 REB, 0.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 14.6 win shares, -0.3 box plus/minus, 2.4 VORP
#42. Ron Lee
- 爆料TV score: 2.7
- 10th overall pick in 1976
- Played two seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 7.3 PTS, 2.7 REB, 3.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 10.7 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 3.9 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1977-78 STL Champ
#41. Alex Len
- 爆料TV score: 3.2
- Fifth overall pick in 2013
- Played five seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 6.7 PTS, 5.3 REB, 0.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 23.9 win shares, -1.9 box plus/minus, 0.3 VORP
#40. Ron Boone
- 爆料TV score: 3.5
- 147th overall pick in 1968
- Career averages: 16.8 PTS, 4.2 REB, 3.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 11.5 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1971 ABA Champ
--- 4x All Star
#39. De'Anthony Melton
- 爆料TV score: 3.7
- 46th overall pick in 2018
- Played one season with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 9.5 PTS, 3.6 REB, 2.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 15.0 win shares, 0.2 box plus/minus, 5.2 VORP
#38. Andrew Lang
- 爆料TV score: 3.9
- 28th overall pick in 1988
- Played four seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 6.0 PTS, 4.8 REB, 0.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 28.6 win shares, -1.8 box plus/minus, 0.7 VORP
#37. T.J. Warren
- 爆料TV score: 4.1
- 14th overall pick in 2014
- Played five seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 14.3 PTS, 3.9 REB, 1.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 20.9 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 4.1 VORP
#36. Markieff Morris
- 爆料TV score: 4.3
- 13th overall pick in 2011
- Played four seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 10.2 PTS, 4.9 REB, 1.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 27.3 win shares, -1.5 box plus/minus, 2.3 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2020 NBA Champ
#35. Corky Calhoun
- 爆料TV score: 4.3
- Fourth overall pick in 1972
- Played two seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 5.3 PTS, 3.6 REB, 1.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 14.4 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1977 NBA Champ
#34. Charles Jones
- 爆料TV score: 4.5
- 165th overall pick in 1979
- Career averages: 2.5 PTS, 4.5 REB, 0.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 24.6 win shares, -0.9 box plus/minus, 4.0 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1995 NBA Champ
#33. Alvin Scott
- 爆料TV score: 5.0
- 136th overall pick in 1977
- Played eight seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 4.9 PTS, 3.2 REB, 1.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 23.0 win shares, 0.2 box plus/minus, 5.9 VORP
#32. Oliver Miller
- 爆料TV score: 5.3
- 22nd overall pick in 1992
- Played three seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 7.4 PTS, 5.9 REB, 2.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 21.1 win shares, 0.6 box plus/minus, 7.4 VORP
#31. Ricky Sobers
- 爆料TV score: 5.5
- 16th overall pick in 1975
- Played two seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 13.3 PTS, 2.6 REB, 4.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 32.0 win shares, -1.3 box plus/minus, 4.1 VORP
#30. John Shumate
- 爆料TV score: 5.5
- Fourth overall pick in 1974
- Career averages: 12.3 PTS, 7.5 REB, 1.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 24.5 win shares, 1.0 box plus/minus, 6.9 VORP
#29. Bogdan Bogdanovi膰
- 爆料TV score: 5.9
- 27th overall pick in 2014
- Career averages: 14.0 PTS, 3.3 REB, 3.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 25.0 win shares, 0.1 box plus/minus, 7.7 VORP
#28. Mike Bantom
- 爆料TV score: 6.4
- Eighth overall pick in 1973
- Played two seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 12.1 PTS, 6.4 REB, 2.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 34.8 win shares, -0.8 box plus/minus, 5.7 VORP
#27. Cameron Johnson
- 爆料TV score: 6.4
- 11th overall pick in 2019
- Played three seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 12.8 PTS, 3.9 REB, 2.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 26.6 win shares, 1.2 box plus/minus, 8.8 VORP
#26. Leandro Barbosa
- 爆料TV score: 7.8
- 28th overall pick in 2003
- Played nine seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 10.6 PTS, 2.0 REB, 2.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 37.4 win shares, -0.2 box plus/minus, 8.6 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2015 NBA Champ
#25. Kyle Macy
- 爆料TV score: 7.9
- 22nd overall pick in 1979
- Played five seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 9.5 PTS, 2.2 REB, 4.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 36.0 win shares, 0.7 box plus/minus, 9.6 VORP
#24. Robin Lopez
- 爆料TV score: 7.9
- 15th overall pick in 2008
- Played four seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 8.4 PTS, 4.7 REB, 0.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 49.6 win shares, -1.1 box plus/minus, 4.6 VORP
#23. Stephen Jackson
- 爆料TV score: 8.5
- 43rd overall pick in 1997
- Career averages: 15.1 PTS, 3.9 REB, 3.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 36.1 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 11.2 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2003 NBA Champ
#22. Ed Pinckney
- 爆料TV score: 8.6
- 10th overall pick in 1985
- Played two seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 6.8 PTS, 5.0 REB, 0.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 42.7 win shares, 0.3 box plus/minus, 9.2 VORP
#21. Cedric Ceballos
- 爆料TV score: 8.7
- 48th overall pick in 1990
- Played four seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 14.3 PTS, 5.3 REB, 1.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 40.4 win shares, 0.7 box plus/minus, 10.1 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1x All Star
#20. Deandre Ayton
- 爆料TV score: 8.8
- First overall pick in 2018
- Played five seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 15.8 PTS, 10.1 REB, 1.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 43.8 win shares, 0.6 box plus/minus, 9.2 VORP
#19. Neal Walk
- 爆料TV score: 9.1
- Second overall pick in 1969
- Played five seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 12.6 PTS, 7.7 REB, 2.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 30.3 win shares
#18. Jay Humphries
- 爆料TV score: 9.6
- 13th overall pick in 1984
- Played three seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 11.1 PTS, 2.5 REB, 5.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 45.0 win shares, -0.1 box plus/minus, 11.0 VORP
#17. Mark Eaton
- 爆料TV score: 9.8
- 107th overall pick in 1979
- Career averages: 6.0 PTS, 7.9 REB, 1.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 44.8 win shares, -0.1 box plus/minus, 11.8 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x Def. POY
--- 4x BLK Champ
--- 5x All-Defensive
--- 1x All Star
#16. Armen Gilliam
- 爆料TV score: 10.5
- Second overall pick in 1987
- Played two seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 13.7 PTS, 6.9 REB, 1.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 58.1 win shares, -0.7 box plus/minus, 8.8 VORP
#15. Steve Kerr
- 爆料TV score: 10.6
- 50th overall pick in 1988
- Played one season with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 6.0 PTS, 1.2 REB, 1.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 47.2 win shares, 0.8 box plus/minus, 11.6 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 3.3%
- Accolades
--- 5x NBA Champ
#14. Wesley Person
- 爆料TV score: 10.9
- 23rd overall pick in 1994
- Played three seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 11.2 PTS, 3.3 REB, 1.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 44.0 win shares, 0.9 box plus/minus, 15.2 VORP
#13. Mikal Bridges
- 爆料TV score: 11.9
- 10th overall pick in 2018
- Played four seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 14.7 PTS, 3.9 REB, 2.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 50.0 win shares, 0.9 box plus/minus, 15.8 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 0.2%
- Accolades
--- 2026 NBA Champ
--- 2021-22 All-Defensive
#12. Goran Dragi膰
- 爆料TV score: 12.8
- 45th overall pick in 2008
- Played four seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 13.3 PTS, 3.0 REB, 4.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 56.7 win shares, 0.5 box plus/minus, 15.9 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2013-14 All-NBA
--- 1x All Star
#11. Devin Booker
- 爆料TV score: 17.3
- 13th overall pick in 2015
- Played 11 seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 24.6 PTS, 4.0 REB, 5.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 58.0 win shares, 1.2 box plus/minus, 20.2 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 17.3%
- Accolades
--- 2x All-NBA
--- 5x All Star
#10. Dan Majerle
- 爆料TV score: 20.7
- 14th overall pick in 1988
- Played eight seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 11.4 PTS, 4.5 REB, 2.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 78.5 win shares, 1.9 box plus/minus, 29.7 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 2.0%
- Accolades
--- 2x All-Defensive
--- 3x All Star
#9. Alvan Adams
- 爆料TV score: 20.8
- Fourth overall pick in 1975
- Played 13 seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 14.1 PTS, 7.0 REB, 4.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 73.5 win shares, 2.8 box plus/minus, 33.0 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1975-76 ROY
--- 1x All Star
#8. Michael Finley
- 爆料TV score: 20.9
- 21st overall pick in 1995
- Played one season with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 15.7 PTS, 4.4 REB, 2.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 85.2 win shares, 1.0 box plus/minus, 28.8 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2007 NBA Champ
--- 2x All Star
#7. Jeff Hornacek
- 爆料TV score: 28.5
- 46th overall pick in 1986
- Played six seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 14.5 PTS, 3.4 REB, 4.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 108.9 win shares, 2.9 box plus/minus, 42.1 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1x All Star
#6. Walter Davis
- 爆料TV score: 28.6
- Fifth overall pick in 1977
- Played 11 seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 18.9 PTS, 3.0 REB, 3.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 76.9 win shares, 1.5 box plus/minus, 25.3 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1977-78 ROY
--- 2x All-NBA
--- 6x All Star
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#5. Larry Nance
- 爆料TV score: 29.9
- 20th overall pick in 1981
- Played six seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 17.1 PTS, 8.0 REB, 2.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 109.6 win shares, 3.6 box plus/minus, 43.5 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 4.8%
- Accolades
--- 3x All-Defensive
--- 3x All Star
#4. Amar'e Stoudemire
- 爆料TV score: 31.6
- Ninth overall pick in 2002
- Played eight seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 18.9 PTS, 7.8 REB, 1.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 92.5 win shares, 1.3 box plus/minus, 21.9 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 72.9%
- Accolades
--- 2002-03 ROY
--- 5x All-NBA
--- 6x All Star
#3. George Gervin
- 爆料TV score: 37.9
- 40th overall pick in 1974
- Career averages: 25.1 PTS, 5.3 REB, 2.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 88.1 win shares, 2.4 box plus/minus, 29.8 VORP
- Accolades
--- 4x Scoring Champ
--- 7x All-NBA
--- 1979-80 AS MVP
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#2. Shawn Marion
- 爆料TV score: 45.0
- Ninth overall pick in 1999
- Played eight seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 15.2 PTS, 8.7 REB, 1.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 124.9 win shares, 2.7 box plus/minus, 47.6 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 75.6%
- Accolades
--- 2011 NBA Champ
--- 2x All-NBA
--- 4x All Star
#1. Steve Nash
- 爆料TV score: 49.6
- 15th overall pick in 1996
- Played 10 seasons with Phoenix Suns
- Career averages: 14.3 PTS, 3.0 REB, 8.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 129.7 win shares, 3.0 box plus/minus, 48.2 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x MVP
--- 5x AST Champ
--- 7x All-NBA
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
