2016 NBA Draft thread

[sunsfan88]

Did anyone else get this email?



All you can do is laugh.

You better reserve your tickets quick before they sell out!!!

 

[sunsfan88]

The chances of the Suns getting the #4 pick--1%
Chances of getting the #5 pick--35%
Chances of getting the #6 pick--16%

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_draft_lottery

I fully expected to be picking 5 or 6. Whether it is 3 or 4 I don't think matters.

We have certainly had worse lottery days.

I don't think this is accurate, at least according to Paul Coro

The ping-pong balls bounced against the Suns, keeping them at the No. 4 pick for the June 23 draft after entering the lottery with the fourth-best odds to win. They had a 9.85 percent chance of landing at No. 4 and could have been slotted from No. 1 to No. 7.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/05/17/phoenix-suns-pick-4th-nba-draft/84514022/

 

[Hoop Head]

I think the only upside to getting #3 this year is the chance that either Simmons or Ingram are still on the board. I know it's unlikely but last year everyone thought Towns & Okafor were going 1 & 2 in some order. The closer it got to the draft the clearer it was Towns was going #1 but the Lakers picking D'Angelo Russell over Okafor was a surprise. They're picking #2 again this year so there is a chance they pass on either Ingram or Simmons. I think it's more likely they pass on Simmons because they have Randle at PF and Simmons isn't going to develop quickly playing SF next to Randle. I'm not sure how those 2 would play next to each other. I don't think they'll pass on either this year and reach for someone though. Russell made some sense last year but this year there is no one who wouldn't seem like a big mistake by picking in place of the top 2 players. If they're not sold on either or whichever one falls to them I'd imagine they'd trade the pick before reaching.

I assume the 76ers will take Ingram because they have too many bigs with Noel, Okafor, and Embiid. Simmons skipping the combine might hurt his positioning as the #1 pick but he could have really good workouts in Philly. Ingram fits there without having to trade any of their bigs right away, although they'll likely move one sooner than later regardless. Simmons would fit better at PF next to either Okafor or Noel at C, definitely better than those 2 do together. Picking him would probably speed up their timeline to move on from one or more of their bigs though. Embiid is expected to be healthy this season but who knows. He probably isn't a valuable trade chip at this point, having missed 2 full seasons with injuries before he's ever played 1 minute in the league.

There is no chance Boston passes if Simmons or Ingram fell to them. They probably wouldn't trade either player either since they already have a competitive young team that they could grow with making them better now and in the future. The Suns should definitely be trying to work a deal with Philly and/or LA though since both Simmons & Ingram fill a need, not just in terms of position but also being potential superstars. Colangelo can help the Suns get the #1 pick finally. I would gladly part with the #4, #13, #28, and Knight for the #1 pick though. Maybe hang onto the #28 if they went after the #2 since they wouldn't have the choice of which player they'd get. The #4 and Knight has to at least keep the other team from hanging up on us. Any player that isn't Devin Booker should be in the conversation to get the #1 or #2 pick. I'd like for the Suns to hang onto Len also but if he's needed to get the deal done so be it. He's due for an extension within the next year anyways so it might be best to try and sell high on him before having to pay a contract similar to Chandler's.

 

[Russ Smith]

He is 6'7 223lbs 5% body fat with an almost 7' wingspan. He will be a SF.

He already weights more than 6'11 Brice Johnson.

But right now he has very little SF game except in transition. Can't shoot, can't really take people off the dribble, at least not NBA SF's.

He might be able to down the line some but right now he's an athlete.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The Suns should definitely be trying to work a deal with Philly and/or LA though since both Simmons & Ingram fill a need, not just in terms of position but also being potential superstars. Colangelo can help the Suns get the #1 pick finally. I would gladly part with the #4, #13, #28, and Knight for the #1 pick though. Maybe hang onto the #28 if they went after the #2 since they wouldn't have the choice of which player they'd get. The #4 and Knight has to at least keep the other team from hanging up on us. Any player that isn't Devin Booker should be in the conversation to get the #1 or #2 pick. I'd like for the Suns to hang onto Len also but if he's needed to get the deal done so be it. He's due for an extension within the next year anyways so it might be best to try and sell high on him before having to pay a contract similar to Chandler's.

So you're saying you'd be willing to go Len, Knight, the #4, the #13 and the #28 to get either Simmons or Ingram? I guess if you're convinced they're future superstars then it's easily worth it but if they're that good I can't see any team trading out of that spot. I think it's too much for either player but IMO neither one of them would go top 3 in next year's class, last year's class or in almost any other class (the Len year being one of the more likely exceptions).

I'm in favor of pursuing a trade offer but I wouldn't empty the coffers for anyone in this draft. And I think there are going to be several teams in the high lottery hoping for a good offer including us. There appears to be a decent amount of depth in this class but it looks to be one of the easier years in the lottery era to move into the top 10. But despite my suggestion that neither Ingram nor Simmons are truly top pick worthy, they probably still stand head and shoulder above the rest of the prospects.

 

[AzStevenCal]

But right now he has very little SF game except in transition. Can't shoot, can't really take people off the dribble, at least not NBA SF's.

He might be able to down the line some but right now he's an athlete.

Yeah, I think the love for Brown is almost out of desperation and after his workouts I wouldn't be surprised to see him drop several spots.

 

[overseascardfan]

But right now he has very little SF game except in transition. Can't shoot, can't really take people off the dribble, at least not NBA SF's.

He might be able to down the line some but right now he's an athlete.

Thank you!! To me he's a PF in a SF body. If PHX wants a SF, I'd rather have Taurean Prince who can actually shoot and defend. Henry Ellenson is growing on me, is he a reach at #4, maybe....maybe not. Maybe PHX can trade down a few spots but even if they can't, I'd take a gamble on him. After Simmons & Ingram, the rest of the draft is a gamble.

At #13, I'd go for Wade Baldwin IV to back up Bledsoe and with Bledsoe's inability to stay healthy, Baldwin should see plenty of action.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Thank you!! To me he's a PF in a SF body. If PHX wants a SF, I'd rather have Taurean Prince who can actually shoot and defend. Henry Ellenson is growing on me, is he a reach at #4, maybe....maybe not. Maybe PHX can trade down a few spots but even if they can't, I'd take a gamble on him. After Simmons & Ingram, the rest of the draft is a gamble.

At #13, I'd go for Wade Baldwin IV to back up Bledsoe and with Bledsoe's inability to stay healthy, Baldwin should see plenty of action.

What does it mean "he is a reach" ? If he is the best player at the spot, then he is the best player at the spot. I cannot imagine a gm saying, "all the mocks have this player going 6 picks later, so we better not draft him here, even though he is the player we like best."

There would have been so many people calling Booker a reach at #3 spot last year. Now they wouldn't. Mocks don't mean much.

 

[Hoop Head]

So you're saying you'd be willing to go Len, Knight, the #4, the #13 and the #28 to get either Simmons or Ingram? I guess if you're convinced they're future superstars then it's easily worth it but if they're that good I can't see any team trading out of that spot. I think it's too much for either player but IMO neither one of them would go top 3 in next year's class, last year's class or in almost any other class (the Len year being one of the more likely exceptions).

I don't know if I'd give up Len + Knight in addition to all of our 1st's this year. The picks + Knight though, definitely. Including Len would require something of some value coming back to the Suns way. I'm not sure what that extra would be though. I definitely wouldn't give up both for #2 though before draft night because whoever picks #2 gets who is left rather than their choice. They may have wanted whoever falls but there is no certainty there. I think they both have superstar potential but I believe Ingram will be better and more impactful player. Simmons might put up better stats but I think Ingram will help his team win more. Simmons seems like a Rudy Gay type of player, good stats on bad teams. I am also not sure he can be the #1 option on a good team, like a Chris Bosh type, sure he's a star but he's not enough alone to bring a team to contention. Simmons couldn't get LSU into the tourney and then he skipped on the combine for some reason. I wouldn't be surprised if he has workout restrictions of some sort that raises more red flags, not enough to drop him out of the top 2 but enough to keep him from going #1. He just doesn't seem like he has the competitive drive to be the leader on a team, not that he'd be expected to be the leader his rookie year but I'd be surprised if was the clear leader of his team at any point in his career.

I wouldn't trade Len & Knight with the picks without something of value coming our way in addition to the pick. That's mainly because I think Len has more value than Knight does. I think it would be more like choose either Len or Knight, in addition to picks. Len as a starter should average a double double easy. He's done a lot better staying out of foul trouble when paired with Chandler, not because he's not guarding the rim as much but because he's not the only one guarding the rim and rebounding. Alongside Markieff he was the only big rebounding and guarding the paint defensively. Len also has good range for his size, which should only extend farther and get more consistent while working on it in the offseason. Plus his hand will be able to heal 100% in the offseason which will help his shot a fair bit alone. Knight is probably viewed as the better player around the league right now but factoring in contracts, potential, big vs small, and I think Len has the edge. Based on Knight's time in Phoenix I wouldn't give him the durability edge since he's missed more games than Len has since acquired.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I am also not sure he can be the #1 option on a good team, like a Chris Bosh type, sure he's a star but he's not enough alone to bring a team to contention.

Yeah, we're on opposite sides here. I don't think either player has Chris Bosh level potential and that's if they max out. I think Ingram's ceiling on offense is a slightly better version of Tayshaun Prince and his peak on defense is a slightly worse version of Kevin Durant. And I think he's a safer prospect than Simmons. I didn't watch every Duke game but I did watch quite a few of them (something I typically hate to do) and rarely did I think he was the best player on the court. In fact, often times I thought each team had at least one player that was better than he was.

 

[AzStevenCal]

My perfect scenario, and assuming there was a market, I'd trade Bledsoe, Knight, PJ, Goodwin and our #4 pick for a pick around 9th and a handful of future picks. Then, I'd draft Ellenson or Sabonis with the 9th pick and draft one of the point guards such as Ulis at 13 and shoot for rock bottom this season.

 

[FArting]

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2...-post-2016-nba-draft-lottery-press-conference

 

[slinslin]

My perfect scenario, and assuming there was a market, I'd trade Bledsoe, Knight, PJ, Goodwin and our #4 pick for a pick around 9th and a handful of future picks. Then, I'd draft Ellenson or Sabonis with the 9th pick and draft one of the point guards such as Ulis at 13 and shoot for rock bottom this season.

I want to throw up after reading this.

 

[JCSunsfan]

My perfect scenario, and assuming there was a market, I'd trade Bledsoe, Knight, PJ, Goodwin and our #4 pick for a pick around 9th and a handful of future picks. Then, I'd draft Ellenson or Sabonis with the 9th pick and draft one of the point guards such as Ulis at 13 and shoot for rock bottom this season.

 

[overseascardfan]

What does it mean "he is a reach" ? If he is the best player at the spot, then he is the best player at the spot. I cannot imagine a gm saying, "all the mocks have this player going 6 picks later, so we better not draft him here, even though he is the player we like best."

There would have been so many people calling Booker a reach at #3 spot last year. Now they wouldn't. Mocks don't mean much.

BPA is highly debatable. Ellenson would probably be the best big available at #4 but may not be the 4th best overall player in the draft. Based on what PHX needs he would be a good pick at #4. After first 2 guys, every other player is on the next tier of talent IMO.

 

[WildBB]

I love Chriss' athleticism but I prefer a PF who can rebound, we haven't had a PF with that skill since the Marion / Stoudamire days. That is why prospects like Sabonis, Ellenson, Brice Johnson & Zimmerman appeal to me, rebounding is a skill that translates into the pro level.

True. Suns don't need more players NOT committed to the D end. Even more so than the O end. Too many prima donnas who just want the ball. Get someone who is committed to both ends, particularly the D.

 

[elindholm]

Get someone who is committed to both ends, particularly the D.

So you mean target players who want the D?

 

[JCSunsfan]

True. Suns don't need more players NOT committed to the D end. Even more so than the O end. Too many prima donnas who just want the ball. Get someone who is committed to both ends, particularly the D.

I guess this is why I like Sabonis. He is an incredibly aggressive player on D, rebounding, but also on offense. He is like a 6-10 PJ Tucker. People were complaining that he is a bit of a bully on the court. I think we need a bit of that.

 

[Mainstreet]

My perfect scenario, and assuming there was a market, I'd trade Bledsoe, Knight, PJ, Goodwin and our #4 pick for a pick around 9th and a handful of future picks. Then, I'd draft Ellenson or Sabonis with the 9th pick and draft one of the point guards such as Ulis at 13 and shoot for rock bottom this season.

You better hope D'Antoni gets hired in Houston. Maybe they can use Knight or Bledsoe.

I don't believe the Suns should restart their rebuild.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

What does it mean "he is a reach" ? If he is the best player at the spot, then he is the best player at the spot. I cannot imagine a gm saying, "all the mocks have this player going 6 picks later, so we better not draft him here, even though he is the player we like best."

There would have been so many people calling Booker a reach at #3 spot last year. Now they wouldn't. Mocks don't mean much.

I think the reason people keep calling multiple players "reaches" is bc there just aren't any players worthy of a third or fourth pick in most drafts, so everyone feels like a reach.

 

[AzStevenCal]

You better hope D'Antoni gets hired in Houston. Maybe they can use Knight or Bledsoe.

I don't believe the Suns should restart their rebuild.

Well, regardless, what I want certainly isn't going to happen. I don't think we're all that far away from being a playoff contender and it will likely happen next season even without a big free agent signing. All it will likely take is good health. But I don't think we'll have a foundation upon which to build a true championship contender and I'd just as soon work on that now rather than later. But it's not going to happen. We'll throw everything we have at trying to compete immediately. I'd feel much better about that approach if this draft class wasn't so weak at the top where we're drafting.

 

[Covert Rain]

Well, regardless, what I want certainly isn't going to happen. I don't think we're all that far away from being a playoff contender and it will likely happen next season even without a big free agent signing. All it will likely take is good health. But I don't think we'll have a foundation upon which to build a true championship contender and I'd just as soon work on that now rather than later. But it's not going to happen. We'll throw everything we have at trying to compete immediately. I'd feel much better about that approach if this draft class wasn't so weak at the top where we're drafting.

If the Suns truly believe that at #4 and #13 we are not going to get much value because the draft is truly weak....they should trade down. Bank on a bad team that will be bad next year and try to get a top 5 pick next year in a deeper draft. The key will be making sure it's unprotected.

 

[AzStevenCal]

If the Suns truly believe that at #4 and #13 we are not going to get much value because the draft is truly weak....they should trade down. Bank on a bad team that will be bad next year and try to get a top 5 pick next year in a deeper draft. The key will be making sure it's unprotected.

There's plenty of talent in this draft, I'm just not convinced there's any future franchise stars. And if there are, I think they'll show up like Kawhi Leonard as later picks that develop into stars despite the scouting reports. When I look at Ingram, I don't see Kevin Durant as some have suggested. I think if he hits his potential he'll have a career similar to Gordon Hayward. That's a very nice player to add but it's a disappointment if you're selecting at the top of the draft. So yeah, unlike most years, I'd rather have a couple of picks in the teens than the number 3 or 4 pick and I'd much rather have a top 5 pick in next year's class than the number 1 pick this year.

 

[FArting]

https://twitter.com/paulcoro/status/732981053795618816

 

[overseascardfan]

https://twitter.com/paulcoro/status/732981053795618816

They planning on keeping the CLE pick and the second rounder because none of those guys should be going in Round 1.