All eyes were on Koa Peat when the Phoenix Suns arrived in Las Vegas for their 2026 Summer League run, and the first-round pick did plenty to justify the attention.
Peat left Vegas looking like exactly what the Suns hoped for: a real piece for the future. Across four Summer League games, he put together a strong stretch that had people around the team buzzing about what comes next.
Before the Suns wrapped up their final Summer League game against San Antonio, Peat was asked what his next step would be.
"After this, I'm going to go back to Phoenix. Get to work," he said.
Peat was one of three Suns players - along with Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming - who were shut down for the team’s final matchup after standing out through the first four games. Peat’s numbers backed up the eye test. He averaged 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Fleming had a front-row seat to Peat’s impact and didn’t hold back when describing what he saw.
“I love Koa’s aggressiveness. He can really roll his way to the rim anytime he wants," Fleming said to Arizona Sports on Peat.
"He’s really strong, especially for his age. I think he plays the right way as well.
I don’t think he’s forcing anything. He’s making the right reads.
So, I think he’s … what do they call it? Like a Swiss army knife.”
Phoenix moved up from the second round to select Peat with the 30th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Questions about his outside shooting followed him into the draft process, but the Suns were clearly sold anyway.
“Koa is a winner. He plays with a unique combination of skill and physicality, and possesses the character and work ethic that align with our team culture," Suns general manager Brian Gregory said after the pick.
“The people of Arizona know firsthand the tremendous heart and fierce competitiveness he brings to the floor. We’re excited that he will be part of the Phoenix Suns, his hometown team, and look forward to building on his connection to our community.”
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Khaman Maluach Is Giving Suns Fans Real Reason To Believe
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The buzz around Maluach has only grown because the production came with broader attention from national observers, who saw a player already showing real two-way utility. The next question is whether that performance gets the formal recognition it seems to deserve, with All-Summer League selections still pending and the Suns waiting to see just how high this early momentum can carry their newest interior piece. [Read more 🡒]