PHOENIX– Koa Peat has been everything the Phoenix Suns have hoped for. After the Suns drafted Peat with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, head coach Jordan Ott saw a unique player.

A rare combination of physicality, athleticism, and finesse. His ability to get downhill, be a playmaker in all areas of the floor, and be a truly versatile piece for a Phoenix team loaded with guards and forwards.

However, one area that will be tricky for Peat is not immediately playing on the main roster. Before training camp, 12 players returned from the 2025-26 rendition of the roster.

That alone makes matters difficult. His background of winning can make that adjustment more difficult, but Ott has a plan in place to ease the rookie through that moment.

“But all of us, we all got to put our hands around Koa,” Ott explained pregame. “He's such a unique talent with his size and his IQ and downhill ability, but he's never not played, and that's probably what's gonna happen right off the bat.

“Just working through that, knowing that it is going to be different for him, but also telling him and helping him. I hope that what our group does is like, ‘It's going to work out; you keep working. You keep getting better, you'll get your opportunity, and everything will work out.'”

Jordan Ott has Koa Peat's best interest for his development

The same principle was applied for the team's three rookies in 2025-26. Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koby Brea spent significant time in the G League before Maluach and Fleming made it to the active roster.

Still, those two took roughly a half season to truly adjust to the NBA speed. It's unclear if Peat will need that much time. Some people thought he should stay another season or two when he was with the Arizona Wildcats, but it's clear he belongs in the league.

Article Continues Below

There are things you can't teach that the Suns can use. His teammates, like Dillon Brooks, have already begun the process of mentoring the rookie forward.

No matter what happens, prioritizing the long-term development continues to be the main focus. Whether it happens soon would benefit Phoenix, but it's not a total necessity.

Ott knows what is important, and Peat is the perfect example of how much development matters.