Suns land Cats star Koa Peat after trading up in NBA draft

• New York, which acquired the pick from the Dallas Mavericks, also gets second-round picks from Phoenix in 2029 and 2033, per Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro.
• The move brings Peat, who won four state championships at Gilbert's Perry High School, back to the Valley to start his NBA career.

The intrigue: Peat considered returning to Tucson for a second season after it became clear that he could slip late in the first round, but decided to stay in the draft.

• The 6-7 forward shined in his lone season at UofA and was one of the stars who helped lead the Cats to the Final Four, but NBA scouts were skeptical about how his skillset would translate to the pro game.

Catch up quick: The Suns traded their 2026 first-round pick, along with Jusuf Nurkić, to the Charlotte Hornets last year in exchange for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micić and a second-rounder.

Zoom in: Another UofA star, guard Brayden Burries went to the Milwaukee Bucks with the 10th pick in the first round.

Meanwhile, former ASU player Jayden Quaintance, who transferred to Kentucky last year, went 20th to the San Antonio Spurs.

What we're watching: Two UofA players — Jaden Bradley and Tobe Awake — weren't drafted but are projected by many analysts to be second-round picks.

• The Suns won't have a pick in the second round after trading up for Peat.