Editor’s note: We’ve updated this story in anticipation of the 2017 NBA draft lottery on May 16.

Last year, the Suns took Dragan Bender with the No. 4 overall selection in the first round of the NBA draft.

It was the highest Suns draft pick since the team selected Armon Gilliam No. 2 in 1987.

That year was the last time they moved up in the lottery from their original position, based on record.

Right now, Phoenix sits in position to land the No. 3 pick in the 2017 draft. Before we see which pick they get, take a look at the Suns’ history in the draft lottery.

NBA DRAFT LOTTERY ODDS: Where Suns, others could pick

Suns history in the NBA draft lottery:

The Suns have been in the draft lottery 13 times, and eight of those times, including last year, they ended up with the same pick that it had in the pre-lottery position.

That includes the last three drafts when they took Bender No. 4 overall in 2016, Devin Booker No. 13 overall in 2015 and T.J. Warren No.14 overall in 2014.

In 2013, the team entered the lottery with the No. 4 pick. It exited the lottery with the No. 5 pick, a pick the team used on Alex Len.

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You have to go back to 1999 for the most recent time before 2013 that the team didn’t leave the draft lottery with the pick they were expected to get when they entered it.

That season, they entered the lottery in position for the eighth pick. They left with the ninth pick.

It worked out alright, though. The team took Shawn Marion with that No. 9 overall selection.

RANKINGS: Phoenix Suns’ first-round NBA draft picks

DRAFT HISTORY: Phoenix Suns’ second-round NBA draft picks

In 1988, the Suns fell two spots in the draft lottery. They took Tim Perry with the No. 7 pick after entering the lottery in the No. 5 pick position.

In 1986, the Suns moved up from the No. 7 pre-lottery position to get the No. 6 pick. They took William Bedford with that pick.

The team’s biggest move up in the lottery came in 1987 when Phoenix entered the lottery in the No. 7 position, but exited it with the No. 2 pick. The Suns took Gilliam with that No. 2 pick.

RELATED: Suns avoid nightmare scenario in 2016 NBA draft lottery

2016 NBA DRAFT GRADES: High marks for Phoenix Suns

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