2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[Phrazbit]

Embiid looked big like that.

He does now, IMO Ayton is clearly bigger than Embiid was at Kansas. They're almost the same height/wingspan at 7'0" and 7'5" but according to Embiid he weighed 230 at the end of his freshman year, Ayton supposedly weighs 260 right now and the kid is jacked.

 

[AZCrazy]

Monday Pipe Dream: Ayton ridiculously dominates college basketball, leading the Wildcats to their National Championship. Gets drafted by the Suns at the top of the NBA draft, and leads the young Suns to their eventual championship as the big man we've always needed and deserved.


Snap....snap......snort. Wake up now.

 

[hcsilla]

Based on a very limited sample I like Bamba more than Ayton.

He seems more athletic and fluid.

 

[Russ Smith]

Deandre Ayton is massive. I don't know that I've ever seen a true freshman big who looked so strong already, virtually all the guys who we see at his age and height are bean poles, this dude looks like David Robinson out there.

Also, he has some serious skill. Guy does some fast, flicked passes and has a great touch around the hoop.

Remember this is a kid that at 15 years old allegedly put up like 17 points and 15 boards against a UNC team that went to the National championship game the next 2 seasons. They were playing a tour in the bahamas and Ayton played in one of the games. One guy who was at the game said he thought Ayton had closer to 30 points in that game.

But yeah he's really gotten stronger, I almost think he's a bit too big but he's awfully good. He seems a bit awkward on back to the basket moves, he had one play yesterday that was like Shaq he just plowed into the skinny defender 3 times, the guy never moved, blatant offensive foul, but they called a block and gave Ayton free throws.

Very talented

 

[JCSunsfan]

Based on a very limited sample I like Bamba more than Ayton.

He seems more athletic and fluid.

Bamba is longer. Hard to believe.

 

[JCSunsfan]

This draft will be interesting. Let's say the Miami pick ends up #9. Would we give up #9 and Jackson for #3? #9 and Warren for #3? #9, Milwaukee pick, and Chriss for #3?

You are guaranteed one of Ayton, Bagley, Bamba, Doncic.

And the Sun would also have their own pick which could easily be top 5.

 

[overseascardfan]

Deandre Ayton is massive. I don't know that I've ever seen a true freshman big who looked so strong already, virtually all the guys who we see at his age and height are bean poles, this dude looks like David Robinson out there.

Also, he has some serious skill. Guy does some fast, flicked passes and has a great touch around the hoop.

As his coordination and feel for the game improve he will develop into the complete package. Critics say that low post C's will become obsolete but as long as post players can hit FT's then they aren't a liability with the hack a Shaq defense, Ayton is shooting over 72% from FT line, Bagley on the other hand is shooting 22% despite supposedly having shooting range.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Bamba is longer. Hard to believe.

Bamba’s wingspan is 7’9!?!

 

[Ronin]

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[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

This draft will be interesting. Let's say the Miami pick ends up #9. Would we give up #9 and Jackson for #3? #9 and Warren for #3? #9, Milwaukee pick, and Chriss for #3?

You are guaranteed one of Ayton, Bagley, Bamba, Doncic.

And the Sun would also have their own pick which could easily be top 5.

If trading #9, Milwaukee pick and Chriss would give us a top 3 pick, yes I think I’d do that.

If we could end up with two of
Ayton
Bagley
Doncic
Porter
Bamba

I’d do backflips.

Doncic
Booker
Jackson
Bender
Ayton

A guy can dream right?

 

[pokerface]

This draft will be interesting. Let's say the Miami pick ends up #9. Would we give up #9 and Jackson for #3? #9 and Warren for #3? #9, Milwaukee pick, and Chriss for #3?

You are guaranteed one of Ayton, Bagley, Bamba, Doncic.

And the Sun would also have their own pick which could easily be top 5.

Sold!

 

[JCSunsfan]

Sold!

Point is that we are in a position to overpay some to get the player we want.

 

[hcsilla]

This draft will be interesting. Let's say the Miami pick ends up #9. Would we give up #9 and Jackson for #3?

No.

#9 and Warren for #3?

Yes.

#9, Milwaukee pick, and Chriss for #3?

I don't know, maybe, that's a tough one.

 

[Russ Smith]

As his coordination and feel for the game improve he will develop into the complete package. Critics say that low post C's will become obsolete but as long as post players can hit FT's then they aren't a liability with the hack a Shaq defense, Ayton is shooting over 72% from FT line, Bagley on the other hand is shooting 22% despite supposedly having shooting range.

Apparently Duke is trying to "fix" Bagley's release because he tends to push the ball when he shoots. he's 2-9 so far from the FT line my guess is he'll go back to just shooting it the way he wants.

he's only 1-3 from 3 point line which frankly is good coaching, the biggest knock on him in HS is he settled for too many 3's.

Bamba needs to get stronger but he's got some Mutombo style defense and is better on offense than Mutombo at the same stage.
Ayton is such a good shooter if you assume he develops back to the basket low post moves he's going to be unstoppable

 

[pokerface]

Point is that we are in a position to overpay some to get the player we want.

Yeah...but I'm not even sure it's an overpay. Feels about right to me.

 

[hsandhu]

If we finish outside the top 5, who is your early favorite right now? I'm looking at jaren jackson jr, hoping he could play center in the nba.

Very long and solid frame. Want to see how the offensive game looks in college.

They play duke today, so we can see how physically he matches up with bagley. BTW, it would be incredible to get bagley, the phoenix kid staying home as the final piece of the rebuild.

 

[hcsilla]

Bamba needs to get stronger but he's got some Mutombo style defense and is better on offense than Mutombo at the same stage.
Ayton is such a good shooter if you assume he develops back to the basket low post moves he's going to be unstoppable

Bamba reminds me of Marcus Camby while I see a lot of (potential) Jermaine O'Neal in Ayton, while David Robinson seems too much for him as a comparison.

 

[overseascardfan]

Bamba reminds me of Marcus Camby while I see a lot of (potential) Jermaine O'Neal in Ayton, while David Robinson seems too much for him as a comparison.

Bamba & McCoy have only played one game each but had impressive debuts, especially McCoy with 25 & 18. Both Bamba and McCoy made 75% of their FT's, again only 1 game so will be interesting to see how well they shoot FT's over the course of the year. The other big name in the 2018 draft, Michael Porter played 2 minutes in his first college game before going down with a hip injury which will cause him to miss MIZZ next game and he is listed day to day.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Bamba & McCoy have only played one game each but had impressive debuts, especially McCoy with 25 & 18. Both Bamba and McCoy made 75% of their FT's, again only 1 game so will be interesting to see how well they shoot FT's over the course of the year. The other big name in the 2018 draft, Michael Porter played 2 minutes in his first college game before going down with a hip injury which will cause him to miss MIZZ next game and he is listed day to day.

Yep. This might end up being more than a five player draft. You have the big five in Doncic, Bagley, Porter, Ayton, and Bamba.

But then there are some really intriguing players right behind in Jaren Jackson (6-11 sf with a 7-4 wingspan), pg's in Sexton and Carter, and also Duval.

There could easily be star players drafted in the second round this year.

The thing about the Suns is that EVERY potential player in this draft will be of interest to us, with all the picks we have.

I am becoming convinced that the guy we will trade--in order to get the next star, either in the draft or direct trade--will be TJ Warren.

TJ is developing quickly and he is just such an effective complementary scorer, he will be highly valuable to a team wanting to take the next step.

 

[overseascardfan]

Yep. This might end up being more than a five player draft. You have the big five in Doncic, Bagley, Porter, Ayton, and Bamba.

But then there are some really intriguing players right behind in Jaren Jackson (6-11 sf with a 7-4 wingspan), pg's in Sexton and Carter, and also Duval.

There could easily be star players drafted in the second round this year.

The thing about the Suns is that EVERY potential player in this draft will be of interest to us, with all the picks we have.

I am becoming convinced that the guy we will trade--in order to get the next star, either in the draft or direct trade--will be TJ Warren.

TJ is developing quickly and he is just such an effective complementary scorer, he will be highly valuable to a team wanting to take the next step.

A lot will depend on obviously where PHX lands in the lottery and how they sort out the roster with rumors about being interested in Okafor and whether Monroe or Chandler will be dealt and if Len is not brought back. Next year's draft should provide PHX and opportunity to find a young franchise big man (Bagley/Ayton/Bamba/McCoy) and possibly another scorer to pair with Booker (Trier/Diallo/Allen) and maybe a young PG prospect (Duval/Sexton/Holiday). I would rule out landing a prize FA as PHX isn't going to be a choice location with Sarver as the owner, will have to try and build this team solely through the draft.

 

[Ronin]

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[hcsilla]

Duval seems to be the next Chris Duhon or maybe even more.

 

[JCSunsfan]

FWIW. I think we will have the 5th pick this year just based upon record. If the lottery is kind to us (chances of moving up or staying the same are 56%, moving down 44%) maybe some better.

 

[Russ Smith]

Duval seems to be the next Chris Duhon or maybe even more.

he can't shoot but he was really good today. At his best he reminds me of a young Rod Strickland, I don't think he finishes as well as Rod did, right now it seems like if Duval can't dunk it he often doesn't finish, but he is very clever at sliding by defenders to get to the rim.

He's been good with valuing the ball, it's going to be hard to judge him this year given how loaded Duke is, but he's playing better than I expected.

 

[GatorAZ]

I like Sexton more. Better scorer and tighter handle IMO.

Oh and Miles Bridges probably should've left last year.