The Phoenix Suns will participate in the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday, May 17, at the New York Hilton Midtown to determine the position of their lottery pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. The 2016 NBA Draft Lottery will be televised on ESPN starting at 4:45 p.m. (Phoenix time) with the order of selection unveiled approximately between 4:57 and 5:30 p.m.
Currently in position for the fourth overall pick, the Suns have a 37.8 percent probability of moving up to a top-three selection, with an 11.9 percent probability of winning the top pick. The Suns are guaranteed at least a top-seven selection. Phoenix also holds the rights to Washington's lottery pick should it fall outside the top nine selections, which has a 96.0 percent probability of being the 13th overall pick. Outside the lottery, the Suns possess Cleveland's first-round pick (28th overall) and their own second-round pick (34th overall).
Representing the Suns on stage at the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery will be guard Devin Booker. The Suns selected Booker with the 13th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft as he proceeded to have one of the best rookie seasons in franchise history, averaging 13.8 points and becoming just the sixth teenager in NBA history to record at least 1,000 points.
Booker will be joined in New York by Jenna Warren, a 16-year-old Suns fan with Down syndrome. After noticing Jenna wearing his jersey while watching warmups before a Suns game this past season, Booker invited her to hang out on the court with him and formed a friendship. Once he learned he would represent the team at the Draft Lottery, Booker took it upon himself to offer Jenna and her family the opportunity to join him in New York.
Since the NBA adopted a lottery system in 1985, the Suns have twice moved up as a result of the lottery, though have not done so since moving from No. 5 to No. 2 in 1987 when the club selected Armon Gilliam. Phoenix also moved up from No. 7 to No. 6 in 1986, selecting William Bedford. The highest the Suns have ever drafted is second overall, doing so in 1969 when they selected Neal Walk and in 1987 when they selected Gilliam.
The Suns will host a free NBA Draft Lottery party at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Tuesday, May 17, featuring appearances by Suns guards Eric Bledsoe and Ronnie Price.
NBA Draft 2016 will be held on Thursday, June 23, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and televised on ESPN at 4 p.m.