2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[ColdPickleNachos]

I thought this article made some compelling arguments for Jaren Jackson Jr., who should be among our top targets if we can't get into the top 5.

https://thesixersense.com/2018/01/06/philadelphia-76ers-jaren-jackson-jr-option-2018-nba-draft/

 

[pokerface]

I thought this article made some compelling arguments for Jaren Jackson Jr., who should be among our top targets if we can't get into the top 5.

https://thesixersense.com/2018/01/06/philadelphia-76ers-jaren-jackson-jr-option-2018-nba-draft/

Another Jackson? Sure why not.

Really he's a good prospect. If we crack the top seven we might have done alright in this draft.

 

[Errntknght]

The Suns have been behind but within five points with 5 minutes or less to play in 21 games this year. They have won 9 of those games - a 43% clip. Pretty damn good for a team that looses almost 2/3 of their games. (I went looking for their game finishing stats as it seemed to me the Suns were doing quite well in that regard.) I think Triano is doing a good job of having the right players on the floor at the end but still I don't believe the Suns will continue to do that. It's got to be mostly a fluke. If it is that ought to combine with our tough schedule to have us finish with 27 wins - we've won 15 or 41 so our projected number of total wins is 30, which would probably have us drafting 7-10. It's shaping up to be a tight finish with a 9 teams in the 23 to 30 win range so 27 wins could drop us as many as 5 slots.

On the other side of the ledger the Suns may improve a fair bit in the second half because Jackson, Bender and/or Ulis play better or because Reed, Sauce and/or Peters make positive contributions. We have also been on a slowly improving trajectory on offense and defense which I would guess is due to learning to play together.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Another Jackson? Sure why not.

Really he's a good prospect. If we crack the top seven we might have done alright in this draft.

Yeah. I probably would have him 8th because I think there are seven potential superstars and then he is the best player after that. I think Jackson likely ends up being a bigger difference-maker than Sexton but if one turns into an all-pro I bet it's Sexton.

I think with bigs you're hoping they can either stretch the defense or protect the rim. Very few bigs do both at a high level in the NBA and I think Jackson could be that rare player. But I get the vibe that he will become a fantastic piece to a good team, not a star. He strikes me as more of a Serge Ibaka type...third best player on a top team. I don't think he is a fluid natural scorer or a guy who takes over a game.

So imho he'd be a fantastic addition to the Suns, but still an underwhelming prize for this year's draft where there are up to 7 guys with top-flight-all-star-potential.

(He's at least worth considering around 6 though if you feel Sexton or Porter or Young, for instances, aren't the answer.)

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

My Suns Big Board looks like this for the moment-

1. Deandre Ayton: Absolute freak of nature. Has the potential (with the right coaching) to eventually be the best big man in the league. Pair him with Booker and it's just a matter of finding the right players to surround them.

2. Luka Doncic: I would pay a lot of money to be able to root for this guy in Phoenix the next fifteen years. Remarkable basketball player with franchise-altering-level skill.

3. Marvin Bagley III: Still not sure about his fit as a 4 or a 5 with the Suns, but who cares? Make others fit around him. This kid's upside is ridiculous, and his floor is also probably the highest in the draft.

4. Trae Young: He had arguably his worst game in college yesterday. He scored 29. What makes him special is his combination of scoring ability and floor vision. I could see him coming in and making all of our other prospects look better.

5. Mohamed Bamba: Bamba is a defensive game-changer with offensive upside and a special person. The fact that I have Bamba fifth in this draft speaks volumes about how amazing this draft is.

6. Michael Porter Jr.: Elite scorer with fantastic size. He could be an absolute star, and the only two reasons I have him this low are back concerns and a questionable fit with the Suns. Still, at this level of prospect, I don't think you can worry too much about fit if his back checks out.

7. Jaren Jackson Jr.: Great size and length, a block rate that nearly rivals Bamba, and shooting over 43% from 3. I don't think he's a star, but I do think he's going to be a very good player.

8. Collin Sexton: Huge upside, but I worry he's in the Westbrook mold. He's a great defensive fit next to Booker and an intriguing offensive option, but I'm not sure yet I fully trust his shot and decision-making as a point guard.

9. Wendell Carter: I think he has the most "Booker potential" in that he might have even more to offer than what you see in college because he's playing next to Bagley at Duke.

10. Mikal Bridges: I love him, but drafting him would leave us with a surplus of wings and not much else.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

My Suns Big Board looks like this for the moment-

1. Deandre Ayton: Absolute freak of nature. Has the potential (with the right coaching) to eventually be the best big man in the league. Pair him with Booker and it's just a matter of finding the right players to surround them.

2. Luka Doncic: I would pay a lot of money to be able to root for this guy in Phoenix the next fifteen years. Remarkable basketball player with franchise-altering-level skill.

3. Marvin Bagley III: Still not sure about his fit as a 4 or a 5 with the Suns, but who cares? Make others fit around him. This kid's upside is ridiculous, and his floor is also probably the highest in the draft.

4. Trae Young: He had arguably his worst game in college yesterday. He scored 29. What makes him special is his combination of scoring ability and floor vision. I could see him coming in and making all of our other prospects look better.

5. Mohamed Bamba: Bamba is a defensive game-changer with offensive upside and a special person. The fact that I have Bamba fifth in this draft speaks volumes about how amazing this draft is.

6. Michael Porter Jr.: Elite scorer with fantastic size. He could be an absolute star, and the only two reasons I have him this low are back concerns and a questionable fit with the Suns. Still, at this level of prospect, I don't think you can worry too much about fit if his back checks out.

7. Jaren Jackson Jr.: Great size and length, a block rate that nearly rivals Bamba, and shooting over 43% from 3. I don't think he's a star, but I do think he's going to be a very good player.

8. Collin Sexton: Huge upside, but I worry he's in the Westbrook mold. He's a great defensive fit next to Booker and an intriguing offensive option, but I'm not sure yet I fully trust his shot and decision-making as a point guard.

9. Wendell Carter: I think he has the most "Booker potential" in that he might have even more to offer than what you see in college because he's playing next to Bagley at Duke.

10. Mikal Bridges: I love him, but drafting him would leave us with a surplus of wings and not much else.

I can’t argue with the players you chose or the order. Maybe sprinkle in Miles Bridges. But where in the mix, I don’t know.

 

[Ronin]

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[Mainstreet]

If Simonovic is draft eligible lets's draft him with a later pick. He already looks stronger than Bender.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I can’t argue with the players you chose or the order. Maybe sprinkle in Miles Bridges. But where in the mix, I don’t know.

Yeah. I like Miles Bridges too. There's a lot of solid players in the late lottery range who just don't seem to be fits for the Suns.

The way I see it we have a lot of options and prospects in the 2-4 spots already. The 4 is questionable, but Chriss is looking better and Bender is young and we used a very high pick on him. If we're bringing in a swing prospect or a tweener forward, they need to be significantly better than the competition.

Lucky for us, most of the elite prospects are point guard types or big men.

Mikal Bridges, Miles Bridges, Kevin Knox, Dzanan Musa, Lonnie Walker, etc. need to be considerable upgrades to make a ton of sense for our first pick. So it's a higher bar for them from my perspective.

That said, if we end up at pick #9 or later, I'd rather have one of the Bridges than reach for a point guard or center just to fill a need.

 

[overseascardfan]

I watched highlights of the OU / WVU game yesterday and Young had 29 pts but again it seemed every 3 he took (12 of them) was from 30 ft with plenty of time on the shot clock. He can't do that in the NBA, he not doing a "heat" check, it almost seems like he is trying to put on too much of a show. A guy I like a lot, and pretty much held Young in check when guarding him is Jevon Carter. Carter is a SR so he's not some ballyhooed one and done but he is a really good PG. He can do it all: shoot (16.7 ppg, 39% 3pt & 84% FT), pass (6.9 asp) and rebound (5.7 rpg) but his calling card is his lock down defense (3.7 spg). He also doesn't turn the ball over as much as Young (2.8 to 4.5). He is 22 years old but that is around the core age of PHX right now. If PHX can't get Young or even Sexton (he's more of a scoring guard to me), I would hope to get Carter in second round, focus on drafting BPA in Round 1. Hopefully, PHX can package picks to get into Top 3 to take Young if lottery goes sideways.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I watched highlights of the OU / WVU game yesterday and Young had 29 pts but again it seemed every 3 he took (12 of them) was from 30 ft with plenty of time on the shot clock. He can't do that in the NBA, he not doing a "heat" check, it almost seems like he is trying to put on too much of a show. A guy I like a lot, and pretty much held Young in check when guarding him is Jevon Carter. Carter is a SR so he's not some ballyhooed one and done but he is a really good PG. He can do it all: shoot (16.7 ppg, 39% 3pt & 84% FT), pass (6.9 asp) and rebound (5.7 rpg) but his calling card is his lock down defense (3.7 spg). He also doesn't turn the ball over as much as Young (2.8 to 4.5). He is 22 years old but that is around the core age of PHX right now. If PHX can't get Young or even Sexton (he's more of a scoring guard to me), I would hope to get Carter in second round, focus on drafting BPA in Round 1. Hopefully, PHX can package picks to get into Top 3 to take Young if lottery goes sideways.

How do you feel about him compared to another senior in Devonte’ Graham. He averages 18.6 ppg, 44% 3pt, 89% ft, 7.4 apg, 4 rpg, 2.7 TO and 2 spg. Not quite sure if he has the defensive prowess of Carter, but matches or exceeds him pretty much everywhere else.

 

[overseascardfan]

How do you feel about him compared to another senior in Devonte’ Graham. He averages 18.6 ppg, 44% 3pt, 89% ft, 7.4 apg, 4 rpg, 2.7 TO and 2 spg. Not quite sure if he has the defensive prowess of Carter, but matches or exceeds him pretty much everywhere else.

I think Graham like Carter could be a solid backup PG in NBA. There are a few good SR PG’s in college basketball this year. Tra Holder has put ASU on his back this year.

 

[Ronin]

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[Superbone]

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Another one of those slow (as in never) loaders...

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Another guy to keep on your radar:

http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article192424594.html

HE seems to be trending in the right direction and could be a really interesting fit for the Suns.

 

[JCSunsfan]

If you are looking at other pg's we really ought to consider Landry Shamet from Wichita St.

Averaging 16 and 5. No big deal. Until you see he is averaging 58% from the field, 52% from the 3 (over 70 shots taken) and 85% from the line. 6-4 lanky, long-armed (7'0" ws) pg.

 

[Errntknght]

The article I read about Shamet said he was a very good defender - and not just potential, like most you hear about.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The article I read about Shamet said he was a very good defender - and not just potential, like most you hear about.

Yep. Long, good defense, very underrated passer, excellent shooter. Has played some tough teams. Gave Kentucky as scare in the tourney last year. He's a lot like Malcom
Brogdon.

He is one of those players that is a sleeper in the draft. Has the body and skills but is overlooked as an upperclassman in smaller school.

 

[Mainstreet]

A lot to like about Shamet.

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[SirStefan32]

That tall Kentucky point guard is intriguing too. Something something Alexander, I think.

EDIT: Ah, ColdPickleNachos already mentioned him:
http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/forum/posts/3635255/

 

[hcsilla]

Shamet moves, drives and shoots like Austin Rivers.

 

[Mainstreet]

That tall Kentucky point guard is intriguing too. Something something Alexander, I think.

EDIT: Ah, ColdPickleNachos already mentioned him:
http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/forum/posts/3635255/

Him too.

Anyone subscribing to DraftExpress?

I miss their mock drafts with all the player statistics and analysis.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Him too.

Anyone subscribing to DraftExpress?

I miss their mock drafts with all the player statistics and analysis.

I have ESPN Insider. Not sure what I am and am not allowed to post on here though...

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Yep. Long, good defense, very underrated passer, excellent shooter. Has played some tough teams. Gave Kentucky as scare in the tourney last year. He's a lot like Malcom
Brogdon.

He is one of those players that is a sleeper in the draft. Has the body and skills but is overlooked as an upperclassman in smaller school.

I like that comparison. The Suns could probably get Shamet with the Miami pick, even if it falls in the 20s. He's usually considered a 2nd rounder at this point, but I could see his stock rising.

Part of me prefers a Shamet or Jevon Carter type (unlikely to be a star, but unselfish passer with high efficiency and few mistakes and good defense) even to a prospect like Collin Sexton.

Sexton is incredibly talented with star potential, but I would be worried about taking the ball out of Booker's hands and putting it into the hands of a ball-dominant point guard with a score-first mentality.

 

[Mainstreet]

I have ESPN Insider. Not sure what I am and am not allowed to post on here though...

I thought about subscribing to ESPN Insider but I'm sitting on the fence. However, I miss DraftExpress doing their mocks of the first and second rounds plus stats and analysis. I guess I'm wondering about taking the plunge.