THE 2023 NBA Draft is set to take place later this month, with the next crop of potential superstars set to join the world’s most prestigious basketball league.

With plenty of hype around the talent in the 2023 draft class, thanks to a French phenom locked in as the number-one pick and lots of depth later down the order, June 23 (AEST) will change the future of the league in a big way.

Rookie Me Central will be continuing the NBA Draft Team Preview series, taking a look at each participating side’s draft hand and some potential options at each selection. The next side on the agenda are the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns are currently in their championship window, with a number of bona-fide superstars on their list and a clear win-now mentality.

As a result of its strong list, Phoenix does not currently hold its first round draft pick, which was sent to Brooklyn as a result of the Kevin Durant trade. However, the Suns will still be selecting later in the draft, and could add a hidden gem late in the piece.

Phoenix Suns

Draft selections

52

Contracted players

Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, Cameron Payne, Darius Bazley (qualifying offer), Ishmail Wainwright (team option), Saben Lee (qualifying offer)

With one of the most top-heavy payrolls in the competition, the draft allows the Suns to add a young piece to their list for a cheap price.

One of the most interesting options for the Suns could be Emoni Bates, provided he is still on the board at 52. Having been one of the most hyped prospects from this class a couple of years ago, injuries and a drop in form saw Bates’ draft stock drop. However, if he can get back to his best, Phoenix may snag a bargain in the years to come.

One of the biggest upsides in drafting Bates is pairing him with Durant, to whom he drew plenty of comparisons to in years gone by. With the mentorship of one of the NBA’s best ever scorers, Bates should be able to boost his production and become a key piece for the team in the future.

Another potential selection for the Suns late in the draft could be Nikola Đurišić, who could be worth a gamble with the 52nd pick. The wing offers size at six-foot-eight, but still plenty of playmaking skills. While his shooting numbers may not be flattering, Đurišić’s mechanics still show a strong foundation and it should evolve into one of his strengths if given the time to develop at the top level.

The Phoenix Suns may not have too much draft capital to their name given they have built a championship-level roster, they can still add a young gun later this month, with some underrated prospects likely to be available at the 52nd selection.