Suns trade – With no first-round picks and just one second-round pick at No. 47 in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns are being linked to a trade-up into the late first round—potentially to target Arizona forward Koa Peat.
The Phoenix Suns are heading into the 2026 NBA Draft with an unusual scarcity: no first-round picks and only one second-round selection. at No. 47. In a league where draft positioning can swing roster timelines quickly. that reality is starting to shape the conversation around Phoenix—especially with one name resurfacing as a possible target.
NBA insider Jake L. Fischer has indicated the Suns could look to trade up into the first round. where they “could possibly be targeting” Arizona forward Koa Peat. The key detail for Suns fans is that this isn’t being framed as a desperate, top-heavy move. If the target is Peat. they likely wouldn’t have to climb too far—because a late first-round pick could be enough to secure the Arizona forward.
That possibility is reflected in the latest mock draft from ClutchPoints’ NBA insider Brett Siegel. which places Peat realistically in the Denver Nuggets’ orbit at No. 26. In Siegel’s projection. Peat could be the type of pick a team like Denver considers when thinking about cost. and the draft slot becomes part of the puzzle: if the Nuggets are looking to cut costs and avoid adding a guaranteed first-round salary. No. 26 could be a spot where a trade becomes plausible. For Phoenix, that’s the opening—one that could line up with their chance to move from No. 47 into the late first round.
There’s a clear warning attached to the upside, though. Even if Peat lands where the Suns want him, he’s described as a long-term project at the moment. Siegel’s assessment is direct: “When it comes to physicality and strength. Peat checks off the boxed to be in the league right now. However, his jump shot will need a lot of work if he is to have a long NBA career.”.
The picture Siegel paints is of an athletic forward who fits a certain kind of basketball right away. Peat is framed as someone who can run in up-tempo systems. become a rebounding threat. and create “havoc in transition” as a rim-runner. It’s the kind of profile that can make sense in a rebuild or a roster reshuffle—if a team is willing to bet on development.
Arizona fans already know Peat’s college story intimately. He played his lone season of college basketball at Arizona before declaring for the NBA Draft. Across 36 games—over a little more than 26 minutes per contest—Peat averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.
So the draft question for Phoenix isn’t just whether it can find a way into the first round with limited picks. It’s whether the path to Peat, starting from No. 47. can be executed without forcing Phoenix to overpay—especially given that the potential payoff is tied to work on his jump shot and the patience that comes with developing a long-term prospect.
Phoenix Suns 2026 NBA Draft trade up Koa Peat Arizona Wildcats Jake L. Fischer Brett Siegel Denver Nuggets NBA mock draft
No first-round pick again? Suns always doing this stuff lol.
Wait Koa Peat is from Arizona right? If he’s at No. 26 then why are they trading at all, just pick him at 47? Feels backwards.
I saw something about trade-up into the first round and I instantly thought it was like for a star. But it’s “project” Peat… so basically Phoenix is trading up for a maybe. Love that for us.
They said “cost” and “guaranteed salary” like that’s the whole point. Doesn’t Denver have like three max guys though? Also, I’m confused how Suns can target someone and still have to trade up from 47… unless they’re doing some secret deal with the refs or something. Suns gonna Suns I guess.