2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[Cheesebeef]

They get the Lakers pick that we sent to Philly for Knight, if it falls between 2 and 5. Otherwise it stays with Philly.

If that pick ends up 1, do the Lakers keep it?

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

If that pick ends up 1, do the Lakers keep it?

Philly gets it otherwise. The Lakers don't get it either way.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Philly gets it otherwise. The Lakers don't get it either way.

Thank God. I was going to break my TV if the Lakers somehow had top 1 protection and somehow cheated their way to the next great Center against all odds... again.

 

[JCSunsfan]

That may be but I'd love to get someone like a Sabonis with one of our later picks. But I don't think we have to chase a big white stiff just to get a safe pick.

Maybe we should try to get Sabonis himself. I wonder if the Pacers would listen to offers.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Gagley

Bagley generated only one steal (against Iona) and didn't have a single block in four NCAA tournament games, emphasizing just how little of an impact he makes on that end of the floor. Since 1996, only five lottery big men have posted similar season averages of one block and one steal or worse per 40 minutes: Lauri Markkanen, Trey Lyles, Domantas Sabonis, Julius Randle and Derrick Williams.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

That is some awful company for Bagley to be in.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Thestepien.com has Doncic alone in tier 1. JJJ alone in tier 2. Young and Ayton in tier 3. Porter, Carter, Bagley, Bridges in tier 4 and Bamba in tier 5.

Wow.

 

[pokerface]

Thestepien.com has Doncic alone in tier 1. JJJ alone in tier 2. Young and Ayton in tier 3. Porter, Carter, Bagley, Bridges in tier 4 and Bamba in tier 5.

Wow.

I might not agree with it but I kinda like it for the reason where ever we draft we score top talent. We'd take Ayton at a lower slot...it's all good!

 

[Phrazbit]

Thestepien.com has Doncic alone in tier 1. JJJ alone in tier 2. Young and Ayton in tier 3. Porter, Carter, Bagley, Bridges in tier 4 and Bamba in tier 5.

Wow.

Doncic has been analyzed in 20 ways on this board, but one thing that cannot be denied, no teenage European prospect has come even remotely close to his level of production and play.

JJJ alone in tier 2 surprises me most. He has a lot of gifts, but his lack of overall production is a huge concern.

 

[pokerface]

Doncic has been analyzed in 20 ways on this board, but one thing that cannot be denied, no teenage European prospect has come even remotely close to his level of production and play.

JJJ alone in tier 2 surprises me most. He has a lot of gifts, but his lack of overall production is a huge concern.

Did you read this? I just did and wow if we miss out on Ayton or Bagley I want Doncic on the suns squad. Plug him in at pg at let the games begin!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sb...a-doncic-nba-draft-2018-first-pick-projection

 

[Hoop Head]

Thestepien.com has Doncic alone in tier 1. JJJ alone in tier 2. Young and Ayton in tier 3. Porter, Carter, Bagley, Bridges in tier 4 and Bamba in tier 5.

Wow.

If the Suns take JJJ #2 or #3 then I'll join the "Fire McD" crowd. He could be a good pro but he has the highest bust potential of anyone at the top of this draft class. I'd sooner gamble on Porter with his injuries than hope Jackson develops here. We already have Chriss and Bender as project bigs, we don't need another. Based on how those 2 have developed, as well as Len, I wouldn't bet on the Suns being able to develop JJJ any better than one of those 3 guys.

The only top prospect I'd take Jackson before is Bamba and even that would be a hard choice. I have Ayton, Bagley, Doncic, Young, Porter, Jackson, and Bamba ranked in that order for the Suns. Porter, Jackson, and Bamba should only be in play for the Suns if they can get a 2nd top 10 pick or their own pick falls to #5 overall.

 

[pokerface]

If the Suns take JJJ #2 or #3 then I'll join the "Fire McD" crowd. He could be a good pro but he has the highest bust potential of anyone at the top of this draft class. I'd sooner gamble on Porter with his injuries than hope Jackson develops here. We already have Chriss and Bender as project bigs, we don't need another. Based on how those 2 have developed, as well as Len, I wouldn't bet on the Suns being able to develop JJJ any better than one of those 3 guys.

The only top prospect I'd take Jackson before is Bamba and even that would be a hard choice. I have Ayton, Bagley, Doncic, Young, Porter, Jackson, and Bamba ranked in that order for the Suns. Porter, Jackson, and Bamba should only be in play for the Suns if they can get a 2nd top 10 pick or their own pick falls to #5 overall.

I agree with your overall draft order. I'd definitely take Porter over JJJ too. Doncic is a VERY solid #3 pick IMO. I think a Doncic/Booker/Jackson backcourt would be very exciting. Doncic may be unathletic but he might have Nash like basketball smarts and at 6-8 at least he'd be taller than about all the other point guards out there.

 

[Hoop Head]

Doncic's size could help make up for defense deficiencies. He'd be much larger than any opponent and while he'd be giving up speed, in half-court sets how much would that speed hurt him? I don't think it would be so much that his size advantage wouldn't even things out. I'm not sold on him yet but I'd be ok with selecting him #3 or #4. If the Suns took him while Ayton or Bagley were on the board though I would be more disappointed they passed on them rather than being mad they selected Doncic. Any other year Doncic would be a really good pick but not so much in a year with a couple of really good bigs available. The Suns have come up short in acquiring bigs like them too many times in the past, I don't want to see that happen again, especially because the GM decided to select Doncic instead.

 

[pokerface]

Doncic's size could help make up for defense deficiencies. He'd be much larger than any opponent and while he'd be giving up speed, in half-court sets how much would that speed hurt him? I don't think it would be so much that his size advantage wouldn't even things out. I'm not sold on him yet but I'd be ok with selecting him #3 or #4. If the Suns took him while Ayton or Bagley were on the board though I would be more disappointed they passed on them rather than being mad they selected Doncic. Any other year Doncic would be a really good pick but not so much in a year with a couple of really good bigs available. The Suns have come up short in acquiring bigs like them too many times in the past, I don't want to see that happen again, especially because the GM decided to select Doncic instead.

Good points. It's too hard to pass on Ayton or Bagley. I just feel Doncic is a safe fallback position for the suns. Then Bender/Chriss would have one more season to prove themselves instead of writing them off already.

 

[elindholm]

Thank God. I was going to break my TV if the Lakers somehow had top 1 protection and somehow cheated their way to the next great Center against all odds... again.

Will it be better if the Sixers get yet another #1 overall pick?

 

[Russ Smith]

Gagley

Bagley generated only one steal (against Iona) and didn't have a single block in four NCAA tournament games, emphasizing just how little of an impact he makes on that end of the floor. Since 1996, only five lottery big men have posted similar season averages of one block and one steal or worse per 40 minutes: Lauri Markkanen, Trey Lyles, Domantas Sabonis, Julius Randle and Derrick Williams.

If you look at advanced stats he's not a good defender and that's why Duke played so much zone this year, he and Duval were just horrible defenders. Bagley was always having to guard college 3's in man because most college 4's play the 5 now as nobody has a 5.

Great offensive player (limited right now though) and great rebounbder but his defense is a problem

 

[SirStefan32]

Will it be better if the Sixers get yet another #1 overall pick?

Yes. It would suck, but at least it's not the Lakers.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Here's where I stand as of today:

This Awful Year of Awful Basketball Was Worth It:

1. Deandre Ayton - The Suns desperately need him to exercise the demons from losing out on Kareem and David Robinson.

2. Luka Doncic - I will be absolutely thrilled if the Suns get Doncic. I think he, Booker, and Jackson would make watching the Suns play basketball fun again.

3. Marvin Bagley III - Just as so many of you have reservations about Doncic, I have some reservations about Bagley. That said, he's an unbelievable talent and he references Scott Bordow in one of his raps. Worth it.

I'm Furious on the Day of the Lottery, but I Can Talk Myself Into This:

4. Trae Young - I'm terrified to miss out on Trae Young. I'm also terrified to draft him over any of the previous three.

5. Mohamed Bamba - I like Bamba a lot. I think he's got too many outlier measurable and too good a head on his shoulders to bust. That said, I also don't think he's the third alpha-type the Suns desperately need.

I'm Thrilled if We Traded for This Player as a Second Addition, but Not Happy if He's Our First Pick:

6. Jaren Jackson Jr. - If I were a Cavs or 76ers fan, I would be all about drafting JJJ. As a Suns fan, there are too many questions and not a good enough system in place.

7. Mikal Bridges - I love his game. He would be even higher for me if the Suns' 2nd and 3rd best players didn't play his same position. We still need the shooting and defense though.

8. Michael Porter Jr. - Huge potential, but back issues scare me a lot. It's another situation where I'd be higher on him if I rooted for a different team. The Suns can't afford the gamble.

9. Wendell Carter Jr. - That was a charge in the Kansas game. I hate referees.

I Would Happily Combine Both Mid-Round Picks to Trade Up and Grab This Player:

10. Collin Sexton - I have tons of doubts about his style of play, but no doubt about his talent and enthusiasm for the game.

11. Miles Bridges - He's not a great fit, but he would be a ton of fun to watch.

12. Robert Williams - He needs to be put in the right situation to succeed. Not sure that's here. But I love the upside.

I Wouldn't Trade Up, But I Would Be Happy to Draft with 15 or 16:

13. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - I'm lower on him than most others. I think he's really good in a lot of areas, but I don't see him being special at any one thing. I don't see the star potential, but he's definitely a nice fit next to Booker.

14. Zaire Smith - Intriguing upside, but we'd be drafting him to be a back-up.

15. Mitchell Robinson - Huge boom or bust. Probably a bust. But if he booms....

16. Kevin Knox - Not a great fit for the roster, and I'm not sure he ever develops, but there is talent there.

17. Chandler Hutchison - It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to a reduced role in the NBA. A sleeper imho.

18. Anfernee Simons - See Robinson, Mitchell.

19. Daniel Gafford - I think he'll be solid.

20. Aaron Holiday - I like him, but I don't love him. And you want to love your point guard.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Wow...I made that whole list and then next thing I know LiAngelo Ball declares for the draft...

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22930807/ex-ucla-player-liangelo-ball-declaring-nba-draft

Obviously, move everyone down a spot..

 

[overseascardfan]

If PHX can’t land either Ayton or Bagley I hope they can parlay their picks into Young & Carter.

 

[AzStevenCal]

If PHX can’t land either Ayton or Bagley I hope they can parlay their picks into Young & Carter.

If we get Young, I'd prefer to find a way to land Bamba. I don't like Bamba as our first pick but if we add another great shooter like Trae to our lineup, Bamba at the rim would cover up a lot of our perimeter weaknesses.

 

[Cheesebeef]

If we get Young, I'd prefer to find a way to land Bamba. I don't like Bamba as our first pick but if we add another great shooter like Trae to our lineup, Bamba at the rim would cover up a lot of our perimeter weaknesses.

I’d be in for this.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Will it be better if the Sixers get yet another #1 overall pick?

Without a doubt.

 

[Hoop Head]

Wow...I made that whole list and then next thing I know LiAngelo Ball declares for the draft...

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22930807/ex-ucla-player-liangelo-ball-declaring-nba-draft

Obviously, move everyone down a spot..

The Lakers have the Cavs pick, which is #25 right now. I'm curious if LaVar bullies them into picking LiAngelo with that pick. They only have 1 2nd round, which was originally the Nuggets, and is at #44 right now. That is a possibility also and if the Lakers decide to take him that is probably the pick they'd be comfortable using. However he wouldn't be tied into a regular rookie contract then and could demand more money, which wouldn't be surprising.

LaVar already said that he'll get Lonzo to sign with any team that is willing to take on both of his brothers. Lonzo should have come out and told him to shut-up when he said that but he didn't. Now we'll see how serious LaVar was. I don't want to deal with another summer of LaVar but LiAngelo isn't a lottery pick with talent, he may not even have enough talent for a team to be willing to take on the media circus he'll bring with him.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I am pretty sure if LiAngelo's name was not Ball, he wouldn't be even remotely on the NBA's radar.