If the perceived value of the Suns 2031 pick actually is sky-high around the league, I probably change my tune on this.
I do not, however, buy into any sort of "expected guarantee" that the Suns pick in 2031 will in fact be a top 3-5 pick. As others have pointed out, when teams don't own their own pick, they generally don't suck because there are always 4-6+ others who do own their pick and will intentionally suck by design (see: Utah Jazz, 2024-2025).
My hope is we continue the tank brigade through 2025-2026 and sell high on this pick via trade as soon as the Suns collapse appears imminent. That way we guarantee a high-impact asset back in return without rolling the dice on this pick proving to be of low to medium value in light of the dynamics outlined above.
I do not, however, buy into any sort of "expected guarantee" that the Suns pick in 2031 will in fact be a top 3-5 pick. As others have pointed out, when teams don't own their own pick, they generally don't suck because there are always 4-6+ others who do own their pick and will intentionally suck by design (see: Utah Jazz, 2024-2025).
My hope is we continue the tank brigade through 2025-2026 and sell high on this pick via trade as soon as the Suns collapse appears imminent. That way we guarantee a high-impact asset back in return without rolling the dice on this pick proving to be of low to medium value in light of the dynamics outlined above.