The recent history of the Phoenix Suns includes significant draft-day decisions that have shaped the team’s current composition. One pivotal moment was passing on Iowa State point guard Tyrese Haliburton in the 2020 NBA Draft, opting instead to select Maryland big man Jalen Smith with the 10th overall pick. Haliburton subsequently fell to the Sacramento Kings at No. 12, which surprised many experts given his projected potential in the top-five.
There was speculation at the time that Haliburton’s slide was unusual, leading to theories that he may have influenced his destination. However, Haliburton later clarified that he had no such influence and was open to being drafted by any team, including the Phoenix Suns. He confirmed this during the Team USA minicamp in Arizona.
Tyrese Haliburton refuted claims made by former Suns head coach Monty Williams that Phoenix had intended to draft him but couldn’t during the 2020 NBA Draft. Haliburton clarified that he was open to being selected by any team except the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers. Reports from the Lowe Post podcast indicated that Haliburton’s draft stock might have been impacted by selective sharing of medical information regarding a previous wrist injury, which was of particular interest to NBA front offices at the time.
Tyrese Haliburton clarified his stance regarding the 2020 NBA Draft and his subsequent trade to the Indiana Pacers in February 2022. He confirmed that he only discouraged the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers from drafting him due to their existing young guard rotations. Haliburton stated that he had no communication with the Suns during the pre-draft process and acknowledged that Phoenix had traded for Chris Paul just before the draft, potentially creating a temporary logjam in the backcourt.
When asked about the possibility of learning from Chris Paul and forming a long-term backcourt with Devin Booker, Haliburton expressed openness and enthusiasm. He emphasized that while this is his perspective, the Suns are welcome to present their own insights and complexities surrounding the draft decisions. However, Haliburton’s account aligns with his understanding of the events.
The Phoenix Suns have had pivotal moments in their history that have shaped the trajectory of the franchise. One such instance dates back to the coin flip in 1968, famously known as “The Coin Flip,” where the Suns lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, resulting in the Bucks selecting Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor). Abdul-Jabbar went on to become a legendary player, setting records that stood for decades.
More recently, the decision to select Deandre Ayton over Luka Doncic in the 2018 NBA Draft has been scrutinized as another critical juncture. Doncic has since emerged as an elite talent, earning First Team All-NBA honors every season since his rookie year and leading the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals alongside another ball-dominant guard, Kyrie Irving.
There has been debate about whether Doncic and Devin Booker could have coexisted effectively in Phoenix’s backcourt. However, given Doncic’s success with other high-caliber guards, the argument against such a pairing has become less convincing over time.
At the time, the backup point guard Cam Payne had a standout season and delivered significant moments, especially in the Western Conference Finals. However, both he and several teammates struggled during the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks. After Game 2, only Devin Booker and Jae Crowder consistently performed at a high level.
Had the Suns drafted Tyrese Haliburton instead, their future could have looked extremely promising. The team would have mirrored the current Oklahoma City Thunder, with Booker and Haliburton forming one of the league’s best backcourts, poised to be in their prime for many years. Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson would have continued to be valuable, high-level complementary wings.
Additionally, Ayton’s skills could have been fully optimized with ample spacing and a perfect pick-and-roll partner in Haliburton, building on Chris Paul’s role. This setup could have maximized Ayton’s potential, enhancing the overall team dynamic.
Playing the hypothetical game with the Suns’ recent history is indeed intriguing. They’ve had two prime opportunities at an NBA title, with the 2021 NBA Finals being closely contested and the team winning 64 games the following season, only to face an unexpected upset in the second round. Despite setbacks, there’s optimism that this group can continue to contend for more championships.
Looking ahead, Phoenix could potentially part ways with Chris Paul sooner rather than later, utilizing ample draft assets and tradable young players to explore different roster configurations, akin to historical transformative trades like the one involving Kevin Durant.
Ultimately, reflecting on what could have been different, especially in terms of draft choices and player acquisitions, adds layers to the fan experience and the ongoing narrative of the Suns’ quest for NBA glory.