The Suns, in the midst of a seven-year playoff drought, were rewarded the fourth pick in Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery in New York City, a disappointment to fans with higher expectations.
Out of playoff contention at this season’s All-Star break, management shut down key players to help secure a better draft position. The Suns finished with the league’s second-worst record, guaranteeing a top-five pick and providing a 19.9 percent chance of obtaining the top spot, the lottery's second-best odds.
Instead, the No. 1 pick went to the Boston Celtics, the same team playing Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals.