2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[Errntknght]

All we had to do for a successful tank was keep Watson... how many of us would have been happy about that? At some point you need to have a good enough coach that you can make sound judgements about your players - especially young ones. The second thing you need is a good playmaking PG - and with Ulis and Mike James we were lacking - I'd have never gone for Isaiah Canaan but thus far it's looking like a smart choice.

If it weren't for our difficult schedule later, I'd say there was no chance we'd have a legit shot at a top six pick - our team is improving too much. It's probably going to end in a tanking frenzy but our tough schedule gives us a fighting chance.

 

[Raindog]

I understand the Suns can't deliberately lose or play to not win games. I'm just saying that it is not a good thing that they are winning all these games, not in the long run. They would be much better off if it works out that they don't do so great this year, in spite of themselves. There is little doubt to me that they are one of the five or so worst teams in the league, even if their record doesn't currently reflect that. But luck into the right player in this draft class and their fortunes could improve exponentially. They aren't very likely to do that with the 12th pick in this draft, even if they find a useful player at that spot.

And comparing the prospects in this draft to the drafts that brought us Len, Chriss, Bender, etc. is missing the point.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Assuming we’re out of the running for Doncic and Young, what do you guys think of maybe taking Devonte’ Graham with that Miami pick? Great 3 point shooter and very good facilitator.

Watched a lot of Kansas games last year checking out JJ and he always stood out to me. He would also likely come in ready to contribute right away.

 

[Mainstreet]

Assuming we’re out of the running for Doncic and Young, what do you guys think of maybe taking Devonte’ Graham with that Miami pick? Great 3 point shooter and very good facilitator.

Watched a lot of Kansas games last year checking out JJ and he always stood out to me. He would also likely come in ready to contribute right away.

The draft order is going to change after the early picks.

NBADraft.Net has him going #34 in the 2nd round.

http://www.nbadraft.net/2018mock_draft

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

The draft order is going to change after the early picks.

NBADraft.Net has him going #34 in the 2nd round.

http://www.nbadraft.net/2018mock_draft

Yeah just saw that myself. If we can get him in the 2nd that would be great, but I get the sense he will rise as the draft nears.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yeah just saw that myself. If we can get him in the 2nd that would be great, but I get the sense he will rise as the draft nears.

He could rise in the draft no doubt. It's so early to tell.

 

[SirStefan32]

And Miami wins again. I was sure their pick would be in the 8-10 range before the season started. Whiteside, Winslow, Dragic, Johnson, and Waiters have all missed games, and they keep winning, They would make playoffs right now. How that team is 20 and 17 is beyond me.

 

[overseascardfan]

As good as Young is he has a couple of big flaws. He turns the ball over a lot (4 a game) and sometimes displays poor shot selection (will take 3's from 30 ft). He also needs to get stronger as he struggles to finish at the rim against size. Still the best PG prospect to come out in a while even better than Lonzo IMO.

 

[SirStefan32]

Westbrook, Harden, and LBJ turn the ball over 4+ times per game too. Not worried about that. As for shot selection... he is shooting over 40%. If he wants to take an occasional heat-check from 30 feet out, more power to him. Finishing at the rim will be an issue for him, but I think he is good enough of a passer that he'll be OK.

 

[Cheesebeef]

And Miami wins again. I was sure their pick would be in the 8-10 range before the season started. Whiteside, Winslow, Dragic, Johnson, and Waiters have all missed games, and they keep winning, They would make playoffs right now. How that team is 20 and 17 is beyond me.

Why? Didn’t they go 30-10 to end last season?

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

The bad news: The Suns would be picking 10th if the draft were held today.

The good news: They are only 3 games out of the first spot.

No team above them in the standings looks like a big threat to fall apart.

Meanwhile, the Mavs and Bulls are trending up, the Grizzlies will eventually get a boost from Conley returning, and the Lakers have no motivation to keep losing.

Is it too much to ask for a lot more games like tonight where the team looks good and starts to click but still loses...just enough to get an elite prospect in this loaded draft? I sure hope not.

 

[hsandhu]

The bad news: The Suns would be picking 10th if the draft were held today.

The good news: They are only 3 games out of the first spot.

No team above them in the standings looks like a big threat to fall apart.

Meanwhile, the Mavs and Bulls are trending up, the Grizzlies will eventually get a boost from Conley returning, and the Lakers have no motivation to keep losing.

Is it too much to ask for a lot more games like tonight where the team looks good and starts to click but still loses...just enough to get an elite prospect in this loaded draft? I sure hope not.

Also good news suns have brutal post all star break schedule. Compete, hope tank standing stay bunched until then, then do what you need to go full tank.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

You know...I really wish I could just enjoy the development of the young players the Suns have and root wholeheartedly not just for their long-term but also short-term success...

I really don't want to advocate for a tank...

But WOW is this a good draft class. Potentially historically good. If we don't end up top 6 it will be a real missed opportunity.

 

[JCSunsfan]

You know...I really wish I could just enjoy the development of the young players the Suns have and root wholeheartedly not just for their long-term but also short-term success...

I really don't want to advocate for a tank...

But WOW is this a good draft class. Potentially historically good. If we don't end up top 6 it will be a real missed opportunity.

Try this. Enjoy both wins and losses.

We have a tough stretch coming up. Want to see the young guys perform, but if they lose its ok.

 

[hsandhu]

You know...I really wish I could just enjoy the development of the young players the Suns have and root wholeheartedly not just for their long-term but also short-term success...

I really don't want to advocate for a tank...

But WOW is this a good draft class. Potentially historically good. If we don't end up top 6 it will be a real missed opportunity.

I'll throw in sexton to that group, who could be a lillard. If we can add one of those 7 that would be incredible.

 

[SirStefan32]

Try this. Enjoy both wins and losses.

We have a tough stretch coming up. Want to see the young guys perform, but if they lose its ok.

That's exactly right. I am loving every win, but I am not upset after a loss.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'll throw in sexton to that group, who could be a lillard. If we can add one of those 7 that would be incredible.

Yes. I think so. Sexton has significant defensive potential. He can also shoot. I am just worried about his passing.

 

[JCSunsfan]

So. Just for giggles. If we ended up with the number one overall pick, what do you do?

I think I trade down two picks or so and take Young.

 

[hsandhu]

So. Just for giggles. If we ended up with the number one overall pick, what do you do?

I think I trade down two picks or so and take Young.

You take the franchise center in ayton without blinking.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Sexton is incredible. I don't like him as much as the top 5 (or maybe 6), but as #7 overall picks go, he's got tremendous potential.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

So. Just for giggles. If we ended up with the number one overall pick, what do you do?

I think I trade down two picks or so and take Young.

That's a tough one. I would hate to be the person to pass on Bagley, Ayton, Doncic, or Young! (And Bamba too, but he wouldn't be in the running for #1.)

I would probably go in this order for now:

1. Ayton
2. Doncic
3. Young
4. Bagley

But ask me tomorrow and you might get a different answer. They're all incredible prospects.

 

[Mainstreet]

So. Just for giggles. If we ended up with the number one overall pick, what do you do?

I think I trade down two picks or so and take Young.

In this draft, the Suns could trade down a couple of slots, get more first round picks and/ or a player and then make a monster offer to another rebuilding team they cannot refuse for another top pick.

 

[SirStefan32]

I love Doncic and Young, but I would have a really hard time passing on Ayton. With Doncic, I am concerned about him and Booker defensively (Warren too, for that matter.) I think Young's game will translate into the NBA just fine, and I think he and Booker would be a really good fit offensively, but I am not sold on Young's defense either. Don't get me wrong, I would be THRILLED with either one of them, but I don't see how you pass on someone with Ayton's size and skill set. I might also see who offers what for number 1 pick. If we can get a good player to swap 1 and 3, I might do it, and then just take whoever is available at #3.

 

[Russ Smith]

You take the franchise center in ayton without blinking.

He is starting to block more shots and look better on defense but I think I'd still take Bagley over Ayton but it's close. There's not much risk with either kid.

 

[Russ Smith]

zJust mentioned him in the Fultz thread so I thought I'd throw out a name I haven't seen here, and I'm not sure he's even going to come out this year.

Jaylen Nowell the freshman PG at UW. Not a great shooter, that's really his weakness. 16 PPG, 3 rebounds 3 assists, very athletic kid, 6'4" reminds me a bit of a Gary Payton both facially and he's kind of got the cocky thing too although not nearly as good as Payton was right now of course. Tough kid.

He's not an elite shooter, 31% from 3, and he's not yet a great playmaker although the way UW plays their offense he kind of shares the ball handling with David Crisp, but really talented kid. He wasn't rated as high as UCLA's Jaylen Hands but I'd take Nowell over Hands any day so far. Hands is so weak on the ball it's frightening how many turnovers he'd have if he was the primary ball handler.

I'd throw in a plug for Aaron Holiday but I don't think he'll ever get into the first round he's just not big enough and he's an undersized 2 trying to play the 1 he is tough and competes and can shoot but he's too turnover prone to get into the first round