Suns targeted Gilgeous-Alexander in 2018 NBA Draft, had him as top PG

The Phoenix Suns made one of the biggest trades during the 2018 NBA Draft, sending a future first-round pick from the Miami Heat and the 16th overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for No. 10 selection Mikal Bridges.

As it turns out, the Suns had more brewing beyond a trade for Bridges.

According to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro, Phoenix was working on a deal with the Charlotte Hornets to move up to No. 11 in the draft to select former Kentucky point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Suns had Gilgeous-Alexander No. 1 on their board among point guards, per Gambadoro, ahead of names like 5th overall pick Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young and No. 8 selection Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Collin Sexton.

The deal fell apart due to someone in the Suns front office shutting down the deal and Charlotte making a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers at No. 12 to move back one spot and allow the Clippers to move up and select Gilgeous-Alexander.

Bridges has impressed in his rookie season, averaging 6.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.3 steals a game.

Gilgeous-Alexander, though, has been a key cog for one of the best teams in the Western Conference and their starting point guard since Nov. 5. The rookie is posting 10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

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