2014 NBA Draft

[jlove]

Since we are at mid season and with the most coveted draft in a decade is rounding out in college play, I have been researching and looking at players that would be beneficial to the Suns without having to move draft positions (with potential of 4 picks). One player that has really intriuged me is Aaron Gordon from UA. Yes, he is potentially a tweener, but with his basketball IQ along with his athleticism and versatility he would and could be a fantastic star in the making. I see him in the light of Shawn Marion (defensive versatility and athleticism) with a much better shooting stroke. Most mocks currently have him going between 12-19. I think at years end, although he may play his way into the Top 10, that we have a shot at him with one of our picks. I'm also hoping that the swirling rumors and potential Top draft picks don't come to fruition (Embiid saying he's not ready for NBA and may stay another year, and NBA Execs thinking Parker may stay another year to play with one of his old AAU teamates that is Duke inbound). If that is the case, then this draft becomes a little muddier.



***Edit*** Here's a great article on Gordon: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...age-over-top-10-2014-nba-draft-prospect-peers

 

[ProdigalSun]

I agree about Gordon. You can't teach athleticism and length and he has both. He'll probably end up a 3 in the NBA. PG is probably the only position that we are set at right now. These are names of guys in college (in no particular order) that I'm going to be paying attention to come March

SG: James Young, GR III, Zach LaVine, CJ Wilcox
SF: Aaron Gordon, Jerami Grant, Kyle Anderson, Rodney Hood, CJ Fair, Doug McDermott
PF: Adreian Payne, Noah Vonleh, Khem Birch, Alex Poythress, Chris Walker
C: Will Cauley Stein, Isaiah Austin, Jordan Bachynski

 

[Russ Smith]

I'd be amazed if Jabari Parker were back but then I'm still surprised he hasn't been suspended for that stuff with Skull Candy, couldn't be much more obvious that he's endorsing them on their website. I think the NCAA is looking the other way but if he came back next year I gotta believe that issue would be raised by a lot of coaches at other programs.

 

[ProdigalSun]

I'd be amazed if Jabari Parker were back but then I'm still surprised he hasn't been suspended for that stuff with Skull Candy, couldn't be much more obvious that he's endorsing them on their website. I think the NCAA is looking the other way but if he came back next year I gotta believe that issue would be raised by a lot of coaches at other programs.

Yeah that kind of stuff always seems to be an issue with high profile college athletes. Does Coach K run the risk of getting in trouble the way some of the college football coaches (i.e. Pete Carroll) did?

Also what is your opinion of Kyle Anderson as an NBA prospect?

 

[jlove]

I like Anderson as well. Great basketball IQ, vision, feet, nose for the ball. I see him as a better version of Boris Diaw or a Scottie Pippen light. He needs to add about 15lbs in weight though to play the 3 in the NBA. I definitely think at draft time he will be Top 8 pick, so most likely out of the Suns vision unless we trade up. He would be a great addition to this current Suns team as well.

 

[Russ Smith]

Yeah that kind of stuff always seems to be an issue with high profile college athletes. Does Coach K run the risk of getting in trouble the way some of the college football coaches (i.e. Pete Carroll) did?

Also what is your opinion of Kyle Anderson as an NBA prospect?

I love Kyle. I would love for him to stay but I see no reason why he should. He won't get quicker by staying and with the improvement in his 3 point shot(5-5 against Utah) he should go pro.

I don't know where he plays, I don't think he's strong enough to defend 4's and probably not quick enough to defend 3's, but I think he can learn. Great passer, improved shooter, uncanny knack for rebounding. I think he'll play in the NBA I have no idea if he's a starter or not. great kid too, natural leader, outspoken but he doesn't hesitate to point at himself if he makes a mistake too. Defense is the issue for him the rest of it he's got.

I don't think the NCAA is going after Duke at all, if they were parker would have been suspended. It couldn't be more obvious there's literally a video on the Skullcandy website of him talking up the product and they call him the newest member ofthe Skull Candy family. The NCAA seems to be saying we don't think he got paid, yet, so we're not doing anything about it but anybody not think he'll be a paid endorser for Skullcandy once he turns pro? that's why the endorsement rule is in the books, so you don't cut deals to get paid after you turn pro. But at this point it's obvious the NCAA has backed off, all that stuff last year going after Shabazz and others I think they got so badly exposed with some recent scandals they're simply not enforcing the rules right now.

I'm sure he's not the only one who does this btw but his is the most obvious. Aaron Gordon wears Skullcandy everywhere too but I don't see him endorsing it on their website,I do with Parker.

 

[slinslin]

I hope we go after Noah Vonleh.

In my opinion one of the top 4 prospects of the draft but a little under the radar still.

We won't get Embiid, Parker or Wiggins by trading up but maybe we can trade up for Vonleh. Vonleh reminds me of LaMarcus Aldridge, a long power forward with range.

In my opinion far better option than Julius Randle who is all hype imo. Does not get steals or blocks which cements the impression that he is simply not athletic.

 

[ProdigalSun]

I hope we go after Noah Vonleh.

In my opinion one of the top 4 prospects of the draft but a little under the radar still.

We won't get Embiid, Parker or Wiggins by trading up but maybe we can trade up for Vonleh. Vonleh reminds me of LaMarcus Aldridge, a long power forward with range.

In my opinion far better option than Julius Randle who is all hype imo. Does not get steals or blocks which cements the impression that he is simply not athletic.

I watched Vonleh against MSU the other day and came away very impressed. His post game is pretty polished and he's a good rebounder

 

[SirStefan32]

I watched Vonleh against MSU the other day and came away very impressed. His post game is pretty polished and he's a good rebounder

I just tooka look at his numbers, and they look impressive. Rebounding translates from college to NBA, and he is averaging almost 9.5 boards in less than 25 minutes per game. Looks like he gets some blocks too, shoots high percentage from the field and from the line. I'll definitely make sure I watch him.

 

[overseascardfan]

With the late round pick I hope PHX takes a look at PF Chris Walker from FLA. Youtube him, I swear he looks like Amar'e in HS, a man child at 6'10 240. He hasn't played for FLA yet because of academic clearance I believe.

If we end up with 4 picks I hope we end up with:
Noah Vonleh
Glenn Robinson III
Willie Cauley Stein
Chris Walker

 

[PhxGametime]

I like Willie Cauley-Stein too! Jerami Grant, Adreian Payne, and all of the U of a Prospects (call me homer) - really haven't seen much CB this year though. Joel Embiid was one of my favorites early on (out of Suns range) but outside of Arizona, I've seen maybe a game or two (if any) of Prospects that'd be 1st Round possibilities. Chris Walker, I'd like to see (after watching H.S. Recruiting videos).

 

[jandaman]

I'd trade the Morris twins for another first rounder and then package all 5 picks to move up for Vonleh.

Would even consider trading Bledsoe for a top 6-7 pick for Vonleh.... Assuming Suns don't want to max Bledsoe..

 

[overseascardfan]

I'd trade the Morris twins for another first rounder and then package all 5 picks to move up for Vonleh.

Would even consider trading Bledsoe for a top 6-7 pick for Vonleh.... Assuming Suns don't want to max Bledsoe..

Actually Vonleh is slated to go mid 1st round according to NBA Draft Net, I'm sure he will move up as the draft gets closer but PHX has 4 1st rounders so even if they needed to they could package 2, no need to trade all 4 picks to move up maybe 5 spots or the Morris twins unless they are going for a major piece like Greg Monroe who is on the block.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'd trade the Morris twins for another first rounder and then package all 5 picks to move up for Vonleh.

Would even consider trading Bledsoe for a top 6-7 pick for Vonleh.... Assuming Suns don't want to max Bledsoe..

I don't think it takes that much.

 

[jlove]

IMHO, by the time the draft rolls around, Vonleh will be a 4-6 pick AND ahead of Randle. The kid can ball. I absolutely love his game. So, unless McD can pull off another coup and get a pick in that range, he will be long gone before we have our first pick.

 

[Suns_fan69]

It's looking unlikely that we'll get the Minnesota pick this year.

If Minnesota misses the playoffs, the Suns would need that pick to land at No. 14 in order to receive it this year.
If Minnesota makes the playoffs, they get the pick regardless, because it will definitely fall outside the top 13.

IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY

Timberwolves record: 21-22: out of playoffs, 3rd-best non-playoff record

Where pick could land:
12th – 93.5% chance
13th – 3.9%
3rd – 1.0%
2nd – 0.8%
1st – 0.7%

There's 5 teams fighting for the last 2 western playoff spots and Minnesota has the worst record of all of them. In order: Phx, Dal, Mem, Den, Min.

Of those teams, Minnesota has had the least amount of games vs the tougher western conference at 26 (Suns have had the most at 30), but have also had the least number of games at home with 20 (Mem with the most at 25).

 

[elindholm]

It's looking unlikely that we'll get the Minnesota pick this year.

How do you figure? The Suns get the pick if Minnesota finishes top-nine in the west. If they are 9th, they will definitely have the best record of non-playoff teams, so would be the 14th lottery seed and very unlikely to move up.

There's 5 teams fighting for the last 2 western playoff spots and Minnesota has the worst record of all of them. In order: Phx, Dal, Mem, Den, Min.

So, the Wolves have to finish ahead of only two of those teams. I like their chances.

 

[PDXChris]

Anyone know anything about Zach LaVine?

 

[Griffin]

Interesting stat:

34 Percent Of Lottery Picks Between 2004-2008 Already Out Of NBA

Few assets in the NBA are as valued as lottery picks as general managers go to great lengths to put pick protection on traded first rounders.

But there is evidence that they are not quite as valuable as perceived internally.

Of the 70 lottery picks between the 2004 NBA Draft and 2008 NBA Draft, 24 are already out of the NBA, representing 34 percent. This five-year sample covers Dwight Howard's draft class to the one headlined by Derrick Rose.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wireta...ry-Picks-Between-2004-2008-Already-Out-Of-NBA

 

[elindholm]

The main value of low lottery picks is the (small) chance of moving up into a top spot. Picks in the 10-14 range have a pretty low success rate to make it at all, never mind become stars.

 

[slinslin]

Interesting stat:

http://basketball.realgm.com/wireta...ry-Picks-Between-2004-2008-Already-Out-Of-NBA

those articles are horrible

You could just as well make an article with the headline "30% of all contracts over 4M$+ per season end up being bad contracts"

That there is chance that draft picks bust has no influence on the value of picks. Picks are a low risk investment and you don't have to give up anything to get your own pick.

 

[Griffin]

those articles are horrible

You could just as well make an article with the headline "30% of all contracts over 4M$+ per season end up being bad contracts"

That there is chance that draft picks bust has no influence on the value of picks. Picks are a low risk investment and you don't have to give up anything to get your own pick.

I think that statistic is pretty telling. And it's not merely busts but players who are completely out of the league in less than 10 years since being drafted in the lottery. 1 out of 3. The number of lottery picks who failed to meet expectations but are still in the league will be much higher.

What this implies is that draft picks, even lottery picks, may hold more value as trade pieces for already established players than the players that will be ultimately drafted using those picks. Unless, of course, you're one of those few lucky teams who ends up with the right draft slot in the right draft and nets a star.

 

[Catlover]

I think that statistic is pretty telling. And it's not merely busts but players who are completely out of the league in less than 10 years since being drafted in the lottery. 1 out of 3. The number of lottery picks who failed to meet expectations but are still in the league will be much higher.

What this implies is that draft picks, even lottery picks, may hold more value as trade pieces for already established players than the players that will be ultimately drafted using those picks. Unless, of course, you're one of those few lucky teams who ends up with the right draft slot in the right draft and nets a star.

I don't. Lumping all lottery picks together makes no sense and any conclusions derived from it are almost meaningless. Go ask the pre-lottery NBA and see how many teams are celebrating because they get to draft 14th. There is a huge gap between high and low lottery. The 14th pick belongs with the 15th pick, not the 1st, 2nd or 3rd. There's a line somewhere around the 7th pick (higher in some years, lower in others) where you have a decent chance at drafting a solid NBA player. Below that you're looking to find that rare gem or maybe even just a shiny rock.

 

[JCSunsfan]

How do you figure? The Suns get the pick if Minnesota finishes top-nine in the west. If they are 9th, they will definitely have the best record of non-playoff teams, so would be the 14th lottery seed and very unlikely to move up.



So, the Wolves have to finish ahead of only two of those teams. I like their chances.

Yes. They are already ahead of Denver and likely to stay there. I doubt they will catch the Warriors barring injury. So that leaves Dallas.

 

[sunsfan88]

If it's starting to look like Minny will get the #9 seed come early April, then you can guarantee that their suddenly gonna "rest" Love, Pekovic and Martin so they can lose a couple more to keep their pick to themselves for this year.