2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[ArizonaSportsFan]

I'll admit I saw the score and looked at the box (struggled from 3) but I did not watch the game.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Agree on this. Maybe if the Suns could draft Michael Porter with a later pick, not their own, I would consider it.

Agreed.

 

[Mainstreet]

Anyone thinking Shai Alexander is really looking smooth a PG. I watched him the other night and I liked what I saw.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Anyone thinking Shai Alexander is really looking smooth a PG. I watched him the other night and I liked what I saw.

I have a hunch McD is thinking that. He loves UK guards.

I really like Shai, Shamet, and Shake. I would love to get one of them. But I am not sure how many young players like that we can handle.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I have a hunch McD is thinking that. He loves UK guards.

I really like Shai, Shamet, and Shake. I would love to get one of them. But I am not sure how many young players like that we can handle.

Yeah, I know the front office is saying the same thing but it worries me. Sure, youth is a big factor in how poorly we play but it's mostly poor choices that created this problem.

Obviously our management/scouting team relied heavily on highlight clips as there's no way they could have watched Chriss or Bender play live and wasted lottery picks on them. Chriss, especially, should have been an easy mistake to avoid. He's the kind of player you gamble on with the 25th pick, not the kind you throw a small fortune at so that you can waste the 8th pick on him. And all you had to do is just watch him play an entire game at Washington to realize he's a very long term payoff at best.

 

[Mainstreet]

I have a hunch McD is thinking that. He loves UK guards.

I really like Shai, Shamet, and Shake. I would love to get one of them. But I am not sure how many young players like that we can handle.

They might be as good as anyone outside of Doncic.

The Suns have a lot of room on their roster if they are willing to cut ties.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm not watching a lot of NCAA basketball but a player I really like is freshman forward Oshae Brissett of Syracuse. His play totally stands out.

Syracuse beat Michigan State today.

 

[elindholm]

I really like Shai, Shamet, and Shake.

What the hell are they, a new boy band?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I’ve become a big Shai fan but I think he’s played his way earlier than our Miami or Bucks pick unfortunately.

 

[Hoop Head]

One thing I didn't consider until recently with the latest Sexton/Bledsoe comparisons is that no one the Suns are looking at drafting sign with Rich Paul or his agency. I don't believe any of the top prospects have ties to him but we'll see. That could be an issue right out of the gate though if we draft someone, be it Ayton, Bagley, or Young, and they sign Rich Paul as their agent. Not much can be done with a rookie contract but retaining them beyond that point could be a problem.

 

[Mainstreet]

One thing I didn't consider until recently with the latest Sexton/Bledsoe comparisons is that no one the Suns are looking at drafting sign with Rich Paul or his agency. I don't believe any of the top prospects have ties to him but we'll see. That could be an issue right out of the gate though if we draft someone, be it Ayton, Bagley, or Young, and they sign Rich Paul as their agent. Not much can be done with a rookie contract but retaining them beyond that point could be a problem.

I wouldn't worry much about it on a rookie contract but if the player is not worth the max, trade him before it becomes a problem.

 

[AzStevenCal]

One thing I didn't consider until recently with the latest Sexton/Bledsoe comparisons is that no one the Suns are looking at drafting sign with Rich Paul or his agency. I don't believe any of the top prospects have ties to him but we'll see. That could be an issue right out of the gate though if we draft someone, be it Ayton, Bagley, or Young, and they sign Rich Paul as their agent. Not much can be done with a rookie contract but retaining them beyond that point could be a problem.

There have been rumors that Young might sign with Klutch Sports given his connection with Lebron. I really want Trae but I don't want any player enough to go down the Rich Paul road again.

 

[Hoop Head]

There have been rumors that Young might sign with Klutch Sports given his connection with Lebron. I really want Trae but I don't want any player enough to go down the Rich Paul road again.

Ugh, I hope that doesn't happen.

I wouldn't worry much about it on a rookie contract but if the player is not worth the max, trade him before it becomes a problem.

I know that an agent doesn't have much influence on a players rookie contract but why even wait for it to blow up? Developing a guy that you have no intention on keeping past their rookie contract is a mistake. I could see Rich Paul steering his clients away from Phoenix also after the Bledsoe fiasco, he was also Watson's agent, which doesn't help the Suns any. Rich Paul has to be one of the worst agents in sports. If Paul was Booker's agent I wouldn't be as sold on him being the main piece of the Suns rebuild.

 

[Mainstreet]

I know that an agent doesn't have much influence on a players rookie contract but why even wait for it to blow up? Developing a guy that you have no intention on keeping past their rookie contract is a mistake. I could see Rich Paul steering his clients away from Phoenix also after the Bledsoe fiasco, he was also Watson's agent, which doesn't help the Suns any. Rich Paul has to be one of the worst agents in sports. If Paul was Booker's agent I wouldn't be as sold on him being the main piece of the Suns rebuild.

This is the other side of the coin. I'm wondering if all Rich Paul clients operate this way. Maybe some of it is on Bledsoe. However, I don't think I would pass on the BPA because of an agent.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

Then why is he even in the discussion for the suns pick? last i checked the sg and sf positions are locked up for the future.

EXACTLY people are smoking crack! He doesnt fit a Suns need when literally every other pick does and Iam not sold at all o Doncic

 

[DevonCardsFan]

OK. Lets look at 3 point shooting in the top 7.

1. Ayton. .364 on 1 attempt per game.
2. Doncic. .311 on 4.8 per game.
3. Bagley. .370 on 1.9 per game.
4. Young. .362 on 10.3 pg wow.
5. Porter NA
6. Jackson. .396 on 1.2 per game.
7. Bamba. .280 on 1.7 per game.

Worst outside shooter. Bamba by far.
Close second to worst. Doncic. And his 3 point shooting percentage has dropped every year.
Bagley is bagged for his shooting, but its right there with everyone else.
Jackson is good but 1.2 is not that many pg.

I do not get why Doncic is considered a good 3pt shooter. He is bad and getting worse. As his attempts go up, his efficiency drops. Thats not a good sign. Young is a significantly better three point shooter on twice as many attempts per game and against defenses that game plan for him alone. I think I would take Young over Doncic just looking at the numbers. Doncic is a good passer but not better than Young. He is a good ball-handler but not better than Young. Young is a better shooter from the three by a wide margin.

So. My draft order right now would be.

1. Ayton
2. Bagley
3 Young
4. Jackson
5. Doncic
6. Porter
7. Bamba

FINALLY, A sensible draft order , Porter could play some 4, I may have Doncic 6. I Would be happy with Young, Jackson, Bagley or Porter

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

EXACTLY people are smoking crack! He doesnt fit a Suns need when literally every other pick does and Iam not sold at all o Doncic

And that where we disagree. I see him as a PG and thus he fits a Suns need. You see that he is like 6’7”-6’8” and automatically assume that means he isn’t a PG and thus you don’t think he fits a need. I say you are wrong on this one.

 

[JCSunsfan]

There have been rumors that Young might sign with Klutch Sports given his connection with Lebron. I really want Trae but I don't want any player enough to go down the Rich Paul road again.

I would not draft him then.

 

[JCSunsfan]

And that where we disagree. I see him as a PG and thus he fits a Suns need. You see that he is like 6’7”-6’8” and automatically assume that means he isn’t a PG and thus you don’t think he fits a need. I say you are wrong on this one.

He passes like a pg. He moves like a pf. He rebounds like a sf. He defends like a sf. He shoots the three like a center.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

He passes like a pg. He moves like a pf. He rebounds like a sf. He defends like a sf. He shoots the three like a center.

He passes and handles the ball like a PG, moves and rebounds like a wing and shoots like a guard.

At this point it is like you are just making poo up...

 

[Cheesebeef]

He passes and handles the ball like a PG, moves and rebounds like a wing and shoots like a guard.

At this point it is like you are just making **** up...

I've abstained from this for the last couple days where you and others have been repeatedly of accusing people of making stuff up, calling others takes rubbish and the like, but here is the fact about his shooting:

.311 from 3 just isn't shooting like a guard.

Even if you think he'll get better with less attention, there's just not proof of that at this point and it's a projection.

I'd also say it's arguable that he moves like a wing considering most wings in the NBA... or most effective wings in the NBA... are the most athletic players on the court, but I think that's at least worthy of discussion.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I've abstained from this for the last couple days where you and others have been repeatedly of accusing people of making stuff up, calling others takes rubbish and the like, but here is the fact about his shooting:

.311 from 3 just isn't shooting like a guard.

Even if you think he'll get better with less attention, there's just not proof of that at this point and it's a projection.

I'd also say it's arguable that he moves like a wing considering most wings in the NBA... or most effective wings in the NBA... are the most athletic players on the court, but I think that's at least worthy of discussion.

I’m not suggesting that he is an incredible shooting prospect, but to say he “shoots like a center” is pretty ridiculous. Not even completely sure what that means. There are plenty of big men that shoot a very good percentage from three. I took it more as his jump shot looks that of a center which I disagree with even more.

And to be fair I was responding to a post suggesting that I was “smoking crack” for having the opinion that I had. So I don’t exactly feel bad for suggesting they are making stuff up.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Guards and specifically small guards are the most athletic players on the court by a wide margin. If you are suggesting they have the best length to athleticism ratio I could agree, but pure athleticism I have to go with the smaller guards.

A decent percentage of the wings in the NBA are pretty darn good athletes, but not even all of the good ones are elite in that regard. I feel confident that Doncic will have no major issues guarding most of the wings in the NBA. The small quick guards on the other hand could be an issue, but I think Jackson and Booker can take those guys relatively well.

 

[SirStefan32]

I almost hope the Suns draft Doncic now. I prefer Ayton, but watching a bunch of posters have mental breakdown might be pretty entertaining.

 

[BC867]

I almost hope the Suns draft Doncic now. I prefer Ayton, but watching a bunch of posters have mental breakdown might be pretty entertaining.

LOL