2016 NBA Draft thread

[Sunburn]

Studying Ellenson's defensive habits now. Dude can't move his feet. He's gonna give up a lot of points at the next level.

 

[Sunburn]

Damnit if I don't like Hield a lot. Sooooo many guards, just want some size.....

 

[AzStevenCal]

I was very interested in Chriss until I studied his defensive habits. That cooled me off. Reminds me of Amare. Great highlight blocks but that's about it. Awareness is terrible. His box outs are atrocious.

Yeah, he has no basketball instincts on defense at all. He tends to stand around rather than react to the situation which is very tough to coach away. Maybe, like Amare, his offense will more than make up for it but it's worrisome

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I was very interested in Chriss until I studied his defensive habits. That cooled me off. Reminds me of Amare. Great highlight blocks but that's about it. Awareness is terrible. His box outs are atrocious.

I can't argue that his defensive awareness is poor, but he's one of the youngest players in the draft and he came late to competitive basketball, so there's hope. He certainly has all of the raw tools.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Damnit if I don't like Hield a lot. Sooooo many guards, just want some size.....

I want size, I want talent, I want passion for the game and I want BBIQ. But of those 4, size probably comes in last. Getting someone with the other 3 qualities might be the best we can do in this draft. Right now, I'm leaning towards (or maybe hoping for) Buddy, Deyonta Davis, Stephen Zimmerman and Payton in the 2nd.

If we luck into the top spot, I'd grab Ingram. If we luck into the 2nd or 3rd spot and Ingram is gone, I'd look for a trade partner. Hopefully we'll land in 2nd and the 4th pick team will want Simmons enough to swap spots and give us an unprotected in next year's draft. That class is looking to be much better at the top than this one does although obviously, things can change in a hurry.

 

[Mainstreet]

After re-reading the article by Pau Coro dated 4-15-16 I found some interesting comments from Paul Coro and Ryan McDonough

The Suns will have four of the draft’s top 34 picks but would have no more than two of those spots used for a player that would join the team next season. If the draft lottery stayed true to slotting, the Suns would have the fourth and 13th picks in addition to Nos. 28 and 34.

“Those picks give us flexibility,” McDonough said, mentioning packaging picks to move up in the draft, trading into a future draft or making a deal involving picks for a player.

In free agency, the Suns could have up to $30 million in salary cap space, depending on how they handle non-guaranteed contracts and cap holds and where the salary cap winds up before July 1.

“We have options and flexibility to chase the top free agents without touching the core of our roster, if that is what we choose to do,” McDonough said.

The comments by Coro, leading into McDonough's comments, indicates the Suns would only have two available slots for a player(s) to join the Suns next season (from the draft). It sounds like the Suns want to trade some of their picks or stash them if need be. In the the 2014 draft the Suns wanted to do the same but found no trade partners.

 

[SirStefan32]

After re-reading the article by Pau Coro dated 4-15-16 I found some interesting comments from Paul Coro and Ryan McDonough



The comments by Coro, leading into McDonough's comments, indicates the Suns would only have two available slots for a player(s) to join the Suns next season (from the draft). It sounds like the Suns want to trade some of their picks or stash them if need be. In the the 2014 draft the Suns wanted to do the same but found no trade partners.

That makes sense. It's a young team to begin with, so adding four rookies would be insane. Trade or draft-and-stash the last two picks. Booker, Warren, Len, Bogdanovic plus two rookies is still a lot of youngsters. Couple of picks may be needed to dump Knight.

 

[Mainstreet]

That makes sense. It's a young team to begin with, so adding four rookies would be insane. Trade or draft-and-stash the last two picks. Booker, Warren, Len, Bogdanovic plus two rookies is still a lot of youngsters. Couple of picks may be needed to dump Knight.

I don't think the Suns view Knight as a negative. Anyway, I could see the Suns trading some of their picks for a young PF or moving around in the draft to get one. I can even see the Suns trading their first pick if they do not get the lottery selection they want.

I keep wondering if the Jazz might part with Favors as Lyles seems to be coming on. They need a PG which could be available early in the draft.

 

[JCSunsfan]

That makes sense. It's a young team to begin with, so adding four rookies would be insane. Trade or draft-and-stash the last two picks. Booker, Warren, Len, Bogdanovic plus two rookies is still a lot of youngsters. Couple of picks may be needed to dump Knight.

So, what team wants picks and what do they have to offer? How many spots up could the #13 pick go if we threw in the last two picks? 3-4 spots maybe? Will there be someone there we really want?

If feel like a kid with money in my pocket to spend, but nothing to spend it on.

No picks needed to dump Knight. If he were a free agent this summer, he would get more than last summer IMO. There is just so much money available, it will be crazy.

 

[SirStefan32]

So, what team wants picks and what do they have to offer? How many spots up could the #13 pick go if we threw in the last two picks? 3-4 spots maybe? Will there be someone there we really want?

If feel like a kid with money in my pocket to spend, but nothing to spend it on.

No picks needed to dump Knight. If he were a free agent this summer, he would get more than last summer IMO. There is just so much money available, it will be crazy.

Those are all great questions, and I have about as many (or few) answers as you do.

If Clippers don't do well in the playoffs, I would be looking to see what Clippers want for him. I would give Philly a call and see how untouchable Okafor is. As far as free agents go- Whiteside.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Those are all great questions, and I have about as many (or few) answers as you do.

If Clippers don't do well in the playoffs, I would be looking to see what Clippers want for him. I would give Philly a call and see how untouchable Okafor is. As far as free agents go- Whiteside.

Whiteside. Yes.
Okafor. No. I think he will ultimately fail in this league.
Noel. Yes. Mobile, rim protector.

 

[GatorAZ]

Would be all for acquiring Okafor but it's not really a big need. Another team out there will offer more. Whiteside is likely getting a max contract.

I'm hoping they spend little to no money on the FA market.

 

[elindholm]

Whiteside. Yes.
Okafor. No. I think he will ultimately fail in this league.
Noel. Yes. Mobile, rim protector.

It would be very strange to have Noel and Len on the same team, given that they were (at one point) considered leading contenders for the #1 overall pick in the same draft. Not saying good or bad, just strange.

 

[Mainstreet]

Okafor is not going to fail in the NBA however he probably needs to go to a team looking for a center. He has some good inside moves.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I do think it is Okafor that they will try to move. He doesn't fit the Colangelos on many levels.

 

[hcsilla]

Whiteside will be offered a max. by a lot of teams and I don't see any reason why the Suns would be his choice if Phoenix is one of them.

Besides the Suns already have a logjam at C.

 

[Sunburn]

I do think it is Okafor that they will try to move. He doesn't fit the Colangelos on many levels.

I'd gladly take Okafor. Skilled big man that would give some offensive balance to our guard-centric roster. Defensively is weak in some areas, but these are widely considered fixable/he will improve.

 

[slinslin]

Except for shooting guard the center position is the least of the Suns worries.

What the Suns need

1. Starting PF
2. Backup PF
3. SF talent
4. Backup PG, Third String PG
5. Third String Center

 

[AzStevenCal]

Except for shooting guard the center position is the least of the Suns worries.

What the Suns need

1. Starting PF
2. Backup PF
3. SF talent
4. Backup PG, Third String PG
5. Third String Center

I think Ronnie Price is a pretty good 3rd string point guard but other than that I agree with your list. I'm sure you probably don't but I also like the idea of bringing back both Teletovic and Leuer (on reasonable contracts) to backup the 4 and the 5 if we don't draft someone for those roles that we think is close to ready.

Here's what I don't want. I don't want to sign a center that can't protect the paint (such as Monroe and maybe Okafor - I haven't watched him play in the NBA enough to know) and I don't want a starting power forward that can't score from inside and outside unless they're an incredible defender (better than Faried). And I don't want a small forward brought in that isn't an obvious upgrade to Warren unless he's coming in with the understanding that it's in a backup role.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'd gladly take Okafor. Skilled big man that would give some offensive balance to our guard-centric roster. Defensively is weak in some areas, but these are widely considered fixable/he will improve.

I think Suns fans would sour on Okafor and his absolutely non-existent defense very quickly. The disatisfaction would be on a Knight level.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Interesting how far Poythress has fallen. He might go undrafted after being considered a mid first pick his freshman year.

 

[slinslin]

I think Ronnie Price is a pretty good 3rd string point guard but other than that I agree with your list. I'm sure you probably don't but I also like the idea of bringing back both Teletovic and Leuer (on reasonable contracts) to backup the 4 and the 5 if we don't draft someone for those roles that we think is close to ready.

Here's what I don't want. I don't want to sign a center that can't protect the paint (such as Monroe and maybe Okafor - I haven't watched him play in the NBA enough to know) and I don't want a starting power forward that can't score from inside and outside unless they're an incredible defender (better than Faried). And I don't want a small forward brought in that isn't an obvious upgrade to Warren unless he's coming in with the understanding that it's in a backup role.

Price, Leuer, Teletovic are all FAs though. We don't even have 1 PF under contract for next year.

Basically our depth chart looks like this

Len/Chandler/??
??/??/??
Warren/Tucker/??
Booker/Knight/Goodwin/Jenkins/(Bogdanovic)
Bledsoe/??/??

I would like to see us draft 1-2 PFs, 1 PG, 0-1 Center and 0-1 Small Forward.

The way the draft shakes out might justify picking a guard that can play PG with our top pick (Dunn or Murray possibly) and Chriss with our later pick.

Len/Chandler/Leuer
??/Chriss/Teletovic
Warren/Tucker/Dudley
Booker/Bogdanovic/Jenkins
Bledsoe/Dunn/Price

(Trade pieces Knight, Goodwin, #28, #33, Miami picks)

Seems like a realistic scenario. Not sure what this trade package could net us in terms of starting PF material.

In theory I could see Utah being interested in Knight and listening to Favors offers. Has a certain charm in that Favors could play center if Chriss develops quickly.

However I see us making free agent plays for some of the bigger names out there. Settling to re-sign Price, Leuer, Teletovic and adding Dudley does not seem like the aggressive approach they are trying.

The free agent market does not allow for much at the PF position. Horford is 30, played almost exclusively center in his career and is averaging only 14/7. The next best PF might be an enigma like Dwight Powell.

 

[slinslin]

I think we should be pushing for a Knight, 28, 33 to Sacramento for #8 trade leaving us with #4, #8 and #13 and allowing us to draft Dunn, Chriss and BPA.

I'd actually revise my statement about needs earlier.

1. Starting PF caliber talent (unlikely to fill this need via trade or free agency)
2. PG Talent, insurance (need more than Price behind Bledsoe)
3. Backup PF talent (could be Teletovic)
4. 3rd string SF (could be Dudley)
5. 3rd string C (could be Leuer)

Biggest Trade/FA need is finding a PF that is solid enough to start while working in whoever we draft for the position.

Obviously though you would not say no to Ingram but we will be fine at SF with Warren/Tucker + maybe even just minutes from Bogdan.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think we should be pushing for a Knight, 28, 33 to Sacramento for #8 trade leaving us with #4, #8 and #13 and allowing us to draft Dunn, Chriss and BPA.

I'd actually revise my statement about needs earlier.

1. Starting PF caliber talent (unlikely to fill this need via trade or free agency)
2. PG Talent, insurance (need more than Price behind Bledsoe)
3. Backup PF talent (could be Teletovic)
4. 3rd string SF (could be Dudley)
5. 3rd string C (could be Leuer)

Biggest Trade/FA need is finding a PF that is solid enough to start while working in whoever we draft for the position.

Obviously though you would not say no to Ingram but we will be fine at SF with Warren/Tucker + maybe even just minutes from Bogdan.

I think I would prefer to trade Knight for a player, not a pick or a rookie.

 

[Russ Smith]

Interesting how far Poythress has fallen. He might go undrafted after being considered a mid first pick his freshman year.

great kid but never got better