Photo: Peter Baba

After parting with several draft picks in recent trades, the Phoenix Suns find themselves with only two remaining tradable draft picks.

The team can still deal with their 2031 first-round pick, which remains one of their most valuable assets, as well as a 2025 second-round pick they acquired in the trade for Nick Richards.

That second-round pick is expected to come from the Denver Nuggets, adding a potential piece to the Suns’ plans.

One of the primary reasons Phoenix is holding onto these picks is their pursuit of superstar Jimmy Butler.

The Suns have been actively engaged in discussions involving the 2031 first-round pick as part of potential deals to acquire the Miami Heat forward.

Butler has made it clear that Phoenix is his preferred destination, and it’s no secret that to make a deal work, the Suns would need to find a team willing to take on the sizable contract of Bradley Beal.

As Beal holds a no-trade clause, he would have to sign off on any trade involving him, which adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

Given the hefty $160.9 million left on Beal’s contract through the 2026-27 season, the Suns are likely to need to sweeten the deal with the 2031 first-round pick to make it more attractive to a potential trade partner willing to absorb Beal’s salary.

The Suns, eager to build a championship-contending roster around star players like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, are fully aware of the stakes, but the financial burden associated with Beal’s contract could complicate the situation.

If the Suns do move their 2031 first-round pick, they would lose control of any future first-round picks for the next seven years.

Phoenix has already traded away all of their first-round picks or granted swap rights in previous deals, further reducing their ability to build through the draft.

Additionally, the Suns have also traded away every one of their second-round picks, meaning that if they make the move, their future draft assets would be severely limited.

This all-in approach reflects the Suns’ commitment to assembling a roster capable of competing for championships in the short term.

However, this strategy comes with significant risks, as giving up such a substantial portion of their future draft capital leaves them with few assets to rely on if the team faces challenges down the line or if the current roster doesn’t meet expectations.

The Suns are banking on the success of their current core, but the lack of draft capital could leave them vulnerable to rebuilding needs in the future, should things not go as planned.