Oso Ighodaro breakdown: What to expect from the Suns’ second-round rookie
After walking away from Day 1 of the 2024 NBA Draft with Ryan Dunn, the No. 56 pick and two extra second-rounders, the Phoenix Suns weren’t done yet. PHNX Sports reported the Suns might look to move up in the pecking order on Day 2 if someone they liked fell far enough, and they wound up doing just that, trading up to pick No. 40 for Oso Ighodaro.
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It wasn’t the Marquette product Suns fans were anticipating heading into the week, but by drafting Tyler Kolek’s high-IQ pick-and-roll partner for the Golden Eagles, Phoenix got an intriguing big man with a versatile skill-set.
Make no mistake about it: Oso Ighodaro was Phoenix’s intended second-round target. According to a source, he was the guy the Suns were hoping to get their hands on, and when they saw an opportunity to trade up for him, they took it.
First, the Suns sent an extra 2028 second-round pick in their possession (via the Boston Celtics, protected 31-45) to the New York Knicks in exchange for pick No. 51. At that point, the Suns packaged No. 51 and No. 56 in another trade with the Knicks, essentially giving them 51, 56, and that protected Celtics pick in 2028 to move up to No. 40 for Ighodaro.
So what should Phoenix expect out of the guy they were so excited to land? Let’s take a look at Oso Ighodaro’s game, starting with the strengths this Chandler, Arizona, native bring to the table.
