2016 NBA Draft thread

[overseascardfan]

In my opinion, when you have a very high pick, you have to draft BPA. I am not advocating for Murrey, but when you are as bad as the Suns are, you have to take the BPA approach.

I agree with the taking BPA approach but deals would have to be made to avoid the log jam in the backcourt unless PHX plans on playing a lot of small ball next year with a starting 5 of Len, Warren, Booker, Knight & Bledsoe.

 

[sunsfan88]

In my opinion, when you have a very high pick, you have to draft BPA. I am not advocating for Murrey, but when you are as bad as the Suns are, you have to take the BPA approach.

I agree BPA is what the Suns should do but they better trade two of either Bledsoe/Knight/Booker if their gonna go with a guard.

Or else it's gonna be like the FA from two summers ago when Suns went and signed the BPA in free agency, PG Isaiah Thomas when they already had PG Bledsoe and PG Dragic and that signing started off the downward turn for this franchise after a promising season before that.

 

[JCSunsfan]

BPA strategy is fine--when there is a clear BPA. But if its close, pick the player you need. You have a better chance of developing him.

Teams that pick the BPA when they have a boatload of players at that position already, often end up trading that player away for little--Joe Johnson in Boston, James Harden in OKC.

 

[slinslin]

Neither Boston nor OKC had a lot of talent at the positions.

 

[Mainstreet]

The good thing about drafting BPA is that they are on a rookie contract and the Suns would have ample time to search for a trade of surplus players at a position. If the Suns can trade Markieff they can trade anyone. The Suns still have a need at PG and SG. It seems good teams are made up of a few key players and they make role players look better than they are. I'm not saying don't draft a good SF, PF or a good young center if they are available.

 

[Errntknght]

Actually the Suns do not have a starting quality PG on the team. Nothing would help us straighten out our backcourt mess more than drafting a can't miss, super point guard. One so good that even McD would see the path ahead clearly. From what you guys have said regarding the draft there doesn't seem to be one available this year, worse luck.

 

[Mainstreet]

Actually the Suns do not have a starting quality PG on the team. Nothing would help us straighten out our backcourt mess more than drafting a can't miss, super point guard. One so good that even McD would see the path ahead clearly. From what you guys have said regarding the draft there doesn't seem to be one available this year, worse luck.

I think Eric Bledsoe is underrated as a PG however you are correct. The Suns need another quality PG. IMO, Knight should play SG. Some like Kris Dunn in the draft although he seems to turn the ball over too much. I think the Suns will address the PG position in the draft baring a trade. Also Devin Booker might be able to play some PG as he has some ability in this regard at the mere age of 19.

 

[sunsfan88]

The good thing about drafting BPA is that they are on a rookie contract and the Suns would have ample time to search for a trade of surplus players at a position. If the Suns can trade Markieff they can trade anyone. The Suns still have a need at PG and SG. It seems good teams are made up of a few key players and they make role players look better than they are. I'm not saying don't draft a good SF, PF or a good young center if they are available.

I definitely disagree there, I would take Booker over any SG in this draft.

As for drafting a PG, yes trade Bledsoe/Knight and then maybe do it. I don't want the Suns to end up with 3 or 4 PGs on their hands again like they did a two years ago with Dragic, Bledsoe, IT and Ennis.

But again, with a top 3 pick, I wouldn't draft a PG I would go any other route because we already have Bledsoe and PG is also the most saturated position in the league. If the Suns really want to draft a PG, do it with perhaps the Cavs pick or maybe the Wizards pick.

Suns have bigger holes at SF and PF than they do at PG imo.

 

[Mainstreet]

I definitely disagree there, I would take Booker over any SG in this draft.

As for drafting a PG, yes trade Bledsoe/Knight and then maybe do it. I don't want the Suns to end up with 3 or 4 PGs on their hands again like they did a two years ago with Dragic, Bledsoe, IT and Ennis.

But again, with a top 3 pick, I wouldn't draft a PG I would go any other route because we already have Bledsoe and PG is also the most saturated position in the league. If the Suns really want to draft a PG, do it with perhaps the Cavs pick or maybe the Wizards pick.

Suns have bigger holes at SF and PF than they do at PG imo.

I wasn't making this argument.

However, with the ability of Booker to play both guard positions it allows the Suns some flexibility. If the Suns could grab another Devin Booker type player, you do it under BPA.

 

[BC867]

However, with the ability of Booker to play both guard positions it allows the Suns some flexibility. If the Suns could grab another Devin Booker type player, you do it under BPA.

I think it would be a bad idea to ever consider Booker or Goodwin as our Point Guard. Shooting Guards with some Point Guard skills is a different situation.

At this time, including the injured list, there is not one starting calibre real Point Guard on the roster. Filling that need (whether by draft, trade or free agent) should be our highest priority.

On paper, both Bledsoe and Knight are among the worst Point Guards in the league.

 

[sunsfan88]

Yea I think trying to make Booker a PG is the type of thing that could hinder his development. He's an off ball player that has the ability to play make if needed like guys like Wade, DeRozan, Harden, Kobe, Butler etc.

If the Suns trade Bledsoe & Knight then I would be okay with bringing in another PG with better court vision and more PG instincts I suppose.

 

[Catlover]

I think it would be a bad idea to ever consider Booker or Goodwin as our Point Guard. Shooting Guards with some Point Guard skills is a different situation.

At this time, including the injured list, there is not one starting calibre real Point Guard on the roster. Filling that need (whether by draft, trade or free agent) should be our highest priority.

On paper, both Bledsoe and Knight are among the worst Point Guards in the league.

That just isn't true (about Bledsoe) if you're looking at the entire position. And his turnovers went up steadily when defenses realized they could double off of our front court. You can't expect a point guard to run an offense when there is so little offensive talent on the court with him.

But I agree about Booker. He is the prototypical shooting guard and that's where he belongs. My worry with a Bledsoe, Booker, Warren, Len and Chandler lineup centers around whether Eric can penetrate with those two big guys on the court. If he can't, I'd be fine with moving him for a more traditional point guard. I love having two bigs on the court, especially since Len has some range and both bigs can cover ground. But Bledsoe has to get his chance with an improved lineup, same with Knight. Otherwise we're setting ourselves back a few years because we'll be forced to just give them away.

 

[slinslin]

On paper, both Bledsoe and Knight are among the worst Point Guards in the league.

Bledsoe when healthy is one of the top 10 Point Guards in the league.

Brandon Knight is not nearly as bad as you make him out to be, he was having a nice season alongside Bledsoe. He only struggled when he was forced to be the man on a dysfunctional Hornacek team hit by injuries.


I am focusing on these prospects

#1 Simmons
#2 Ingram - does what you want from a SF, already shows the skills necessary to succeed. Outside chance due to his length that he may develop into a modern NBA PF down the road if he puts up weight/muscle.

#3-5
SF Jaylen Brown - could develop into a Jimmy Butler type player
FC Dragan Bender - long-term project
PG Kris Dunn - does a little of everything but already a 4 year Junior


#10-14
GF Denzel Valentine - 6'6 senior wing player that does everything for his team (DX#18)
FC Ivan Rabb - solid 6'11 big that rebounds, has good touch around the rim and skills in the post but not very athletic or explosive (DX#15)
FC Damion Jones - very athletic big 6'11 245lbs that runs the floor, dunks, blocks (DX#13)
FC Deyonta Davis - athletic big with motor, good agility but offensive game is not where it needs to be for a PF in the NBA (DX#12)
FC Skal Labissiere - project with upside, pick that is 100% on potential (DX#19)
SF Timothee Luwawu - athletic, 3&D wing with developing skills (DX#11)

#27-33
C Ivica Zubac - 18 yrs old high upside project, moves well (Dx#28)
FC Domatas Sabonis - solid but unspectacular (Dx#23)
PG Wade Baldwin - Athletic all-around sophomore PG (Dx#16)
SG Grayson Allen - sophomore, explosive scorer (DX#29)
PG Kay Felder - super athletic PG that does it all, but 5'9(DX#51)
SF Taurean Prince - athletic 3&D prototype (DX#22)

 

[slinslin]

Labissiere with a big game against Simmons.

Great news for the Suns if Labissiere explodes now.

 

[Ronin]

I am curious to see Brandon Ingram tonight against North Carolina. It will be my first time watching him play.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Bledsoe when healthy is one of the top 10 Point Guards in the league.

Funny. This article doesn't even mention him in the top 20. But ranks Brandon Knight as #11. Not saying its right.

http://www.trendingtoplists.com/top-10-point-guards-heading-2015-2016-nba-season

I know this is just a fantasy page, but it seems more realistic.

http://games.espn.go.com/fba/tools/projections?display=alt&slotCategoryId=0

This one is true though. Not sure if I see Bledsoe as better than any of: Curry, Westbrook, Paul, Lowry, Wall, Lillard, Conley, Kyrie, Parker or Teague. Maybe you would put him ahead of Teague.


http://www.nba.com/2015/news/hca/01/06/the-list-top-10-point-guards/

 

[Phrazbit]

Funny. This article doesn't even mention him in the top 20. But ranks Brandon Knight as #11. Not saying its right.

http://www.trendingtoplists.com/top-10-point-guards-heading-2015-2016-nba-season

I know this is just a fantasy page, but it seems more realistic.

http://games.espn.go.com/fba/tools/projections?display=alt&slotCategoryId=0

This one is true though. Not sure if I see Bledsoe as better than any of: Curry, Westbrook, Paul, Lowry, Wall, Lillard, Conley, Kyrie, Parker or Teague. Maybe you would put him ahead of Teague.


http://www.nba.com/2015/news/hca/01/06/the-list-top-10-point-guards/

I think he is better than Conley, Parker (at this stage of his career) and Teague... and we had our debate about Irving in another thread, I won't restate the whole thing here, but IMO the dude is the most overrated player in the NBA, probably by a wide margin. I think basically everyone on that list does more to contribute to team success than he.

 

[slinslin]

And at the same time when Bledsoe was healthy there was an article that not only rated him a top 10 PG but also a top 20 player in the NBA..

 

[slinslin]

If Labissiere keeps this play up this draft is suddenly back to 3 deep at the top.

If he stays inconsistent we get a huge potential option at the Washington pick besides Rabb, Valentine etc.

 

[Mainstreet]

If Labissiere keeps this play up this draft is suddenly back to 3 deep at the top.

If he stays inconsistent we get a huge potential option at the Washington pick besides Rabb, Valentine etc.

I like what I have read about him. He has all the tools. However, much more was expected of him this season at Kentucky.

 

[hcsilla]

At this point it is qiute unlikely that Labissiere will declare this draft.

 

[slinslin]

At this point it is qiute unlikely that Labissiere will declare this draft.

Oh he will declare. Staying at Kentucky is a very risky move.

If Labissiere keeps playing like he has the last 2 games he will be a high lottery pick no doubt.

And even if he does not he still has workouts and considering how weak the draft is it seems very unlikely he drops out of the first round as a total no-show even.

 

[overseascardfan]

You know with PHX's bad luck, Skal will go on a tear in the tournament and solidify himself in the Top 3 and PHX will end up with the #4 pick. How terrible would that be?

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Bledsoe when healthy is one of the top 10 Point Guards in the league.

Brandon Knight is not nearly as bad as you make him out to be, he was having a nice season alongside Bledsoe. He only struggled when he was forced to be the man on a dysfunctional Hornacek team hit by injuries.


I am focusing on these prospects

#1 Simmons
#2 Ingram - does what you want from a SF, already shows the skills necessary to succeed. Outside chance due to his length that he may develop into a modern NBA PF down the road if he puts up weight/muscle.

#3-5
SF Jaylen Brown - could develop into a Jimmy Butler type player
FC Dragan Bender - long-term project
PG Kris Dunn - does a little of everything but already a 4 year Junior


#10-14
GF Denzel Valentine - 6'6 senior wing player that does everything for his team (DX#18)
FC Ivan Rabb - solid 6'11 big that rebounds, has good touch around the rim and skills in the post but not very athletic or explosive (DX#15)
FC Damion Jones - very athletic big 6'11 245lbs that runs the floor, dunks, blocks (DX#13)
FC Deyonta Davis - athletic big with motor, good agility but offensive game is not where it needs to be for a PF in the NBA (DX#12)
FC Skal Labissiere - project with upside, pick that is 100% on potential (DX#19)
SF Timothee Luwawu - athletic, 3&D wing with developing skills (DX#11)

#27-33
C Ivica Zubac - 18 yrs old high upside project, moves well (Dx#28)
FC Domatas Sabonis - solid but unspectacular (Dx#23)
PG Wade Baldwin - Athletic all-around sophomore PG (Dx#16)
SG Grayson Allen - sophomore, explosive scorer (DX#29)
PG Kay Felder - super athletic PG that does it all, but 5'9(DX#51)
SF Taurean Prince - athletic 3&D prototype (DX#22)

I really like that list. A couple other candidates for the later picks that I think the Suns should keep an eye on are Tyler Ulis and Ante Zizic.

Ulis is tiny, but he is very talented and knows how to run an offense. I saw an interview where Kentucky big Derek Willis was asked about Ulis and Jamal Murray, and I found it interesting how effusive he was in his praise of Ulis. It almost seemed insulting to Murray because he just kept going on about how great Ulis is.

Zizic isn't as big as Zubac, but he's putting up incredible production for a 19-year-old in the Adriatic league. It might be a smart move for the Suns to use both their late 1st and early 2nd on draft-and-stash bigs and see who develops. There is an abundance of foreign bigs with potential this year. (assuming they enter the draft)

 

[slinslin]

I am strongly leaning towards Labissiere if we draft between #3-6 unless he compeltely disappears again.

At that point the decision is drafting a project between Labissiere or Bender, I favor Labissiere. Not too long ago he outplayed Towns.

DX moved him back up to #10 now already. 7', can shoot, 7'2 wingspan, 35" vertical.

A Len/Labissiere frontcourt sounds promising.