MANILA — DeAndre Ayton made history as he became the first-ever overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Friday (Philippine Time).
The Suns made sure that the Bahamian center will not leave the state of Arizona following a one-year stint with Arizona U by taking him over the likes of Marvin Bagley, Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Michael Porter.
Sacramento Kings made the first surprise of the draft by going for Bagley with the second pick.
Doncic, who at one point was being groomed to be the top pick, fell to the third pick with Atlanta Hawks.
However, the team decided to ship the reigning Euroleague MVP to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the fifth pick, who turned out to be Young, a protected 2019 first rounder.
Jaren Jackson ended up with the Memphis Grizzlies as the fourth pick, while Mo Bamba went to Orlando Magic as the sixth pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers, with uncertainties on LeBron James’s future, took Collin Sexton as the eighth pick.
The Suns then made a surprise of their own, acquiring another lottery pick in 10th overall pick Mikal Bridges from the Philadelphia 76ers for their 16th pick, Zhaire Smith, and the 2021 first rounder they got from the Miami Heat.
Porter, whose back injury became a subject of concern with a few weeks left before the draft, fell to the 14th pick with Denver Nuggets.
San Antonio, which is also having offseason problems of its own with Kawhi Leonard’s desire to leave the team, selected Lonnie Williams with the 18th pick.
Grayson Allen, who despite being prolific is also known for being emotional and for the infamous tripping incidents, ended up as the 21st pick by Utah Jazz.
Aaron Holiday, the younger brother of active NBA players Jrue and Justin, headed to Indiana Pacers as the 23rd pick.
Kostas Antetokounmpo, the younger brother of Milwaukee star Giannis, ended up as the last pick of the draft, getting selected by Philadelphia 76ers.
However, Antetokounmpo, along with 56th pick Ray Spalding, was sent to Dallas for 54th pick Shake Milton. (Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA)
