2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[JCSunsfan]

I’d be in for this.

Young and Carter, Young and Bamba, either of those is fine with me.

But I do want Ayton.

 

[Phrazbit]

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

And, as is, it isn't helping him. No NBA team wants to deal with LaVar.

Only the Lakers might consider him in the 2nd, and only because of the fit LaVar will throw if they don't... and they still shouldn't.

 

[Cheesebeef]

crazy idea if we get the 1st pick...

What if we get the number 1 pick... and Kawai really tries to push his way out of SA.

Is there a scenario where we try to go SUPER-TEAM. Trade the #1 pick/15/16/next year's... for Kawai.

Then, with Booker, Kawai, Jackson on the team... go after...

LEBRON.

Hell... I might even throw Jackson in there if we got assurances under the table from LeBron he'd come here to round out a Big 3 of Booker/Kawai/LeBron? That team could probably attract some other FA to round out the club, while hoping that guys like Chriss/Bender could then just be role players on the club.

Crazy... or crazy like a fox?!

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think Mikal Bridges might end up being the rookie of the year. The kid can drive, shoot, dribble, and is a top notch defender. He is also mature and ready to go--probably the most plug and play player in early draft.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I think Mikal Bridges might end up being the rookie of the year. The kid can drive, shoot, dribble, and is a top notch defender. He is also mature and ready to go--probably the most plug and play player in early draft.

I’ve got same concerns about him as I did about the kid from Duke last year who’s been really good for the Celtics. Thought his lack of next level athleticism would lower his ceiling but by most reports, he’s been smooth as silk.

All that said, Bridges plays the same position as Jackson and don’t think he’s an option for us. Maybe if we were able to trade up with 15/16.

But I don’t want us to be the NBA Version Of The Matt Miller Detroit Lions taking all the wings like he did wide receivers.

 

[pokerface]

I only have one question... would Doncic be BPA at #3 pick?

I say yes.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I’ve got same concerns about him as I did about the kid from Duke last year who’s been really good for the Celtics. Thought his lack of next level athleticism would lower his ceiling but by most reports, he’s been smooth as silk.

All that said, Bridges plays the same position as Jackson and don’t think he’s an option for us. Maybe if we were able to trade up with 15/16.

But I don’t want us to be the NBA Version Of The Matt Miller Detroit Lions taking all the wings like he did wide receivers.

I thought he was very athletic and long. I think Mikal Bridges will be a better pro than Doncic and I would absolutely love to exchange TJ for him. It would be fantastic to trade 15 or 16 and TJ to move up to 10 or so and draft this kid.

 

[GatorAZ]

I thought he was very athletic and long. I think Mikal Bridges will be a better pro than Doncic and I would absolutely love to exchange TJ for him. It would be fantastic to trade 15 or 16 and TJ to move up to 10 or so and draft this kid.

Quick, forward this to Jay Wright.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I thought he was very athletic and long. I think Mikal Bridges will be a better pro than Doncic and I would absolutely love to exchange TJ for him. It would be fantastic to trade 15 or 16 and TJ to move up to 10 or so and draft this kid.

and play him... where? We already have our SF.

 

[hcsilla]

and play him... where?

As a backup SF. Or a defensive stopper wing next to Booker and Jackson. Or a small-ball wing.

 

[Cheesebeef]

As a backup SF. Or a defensive stopper wing next to Booker and Jackson. Or a small-ball wing.

So... then, the Detroit Lions Of The NBA.

I guess it’s fine with a second first rounder if we move the other two up and we get our big up top.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

1. Bagley is in!

2. He is actually the artist on the accompanying track, which I think is incredibly impressive.

3. Around :40 in, he references Scott Bordow. Phoenix!!!

 

[Raindog]

I only have one question... would Doncic be BPA at #3 pick?

I say yes.

I have him in the second tier of about four players - Doncic, Young, Porter, and Bamba. All high risk guys who could have elite potential. But all have major question marks and could also be huge busts. Not sold at all on Doncic being a "sure thing."

So after Ayton and Bagley are gone, you could roll the dice with any of the four and take your chances. I wouldn't really be upset by the Suns taking any of them if they end up picking at 3 or lower... just not at 1 or 2.

 

[Hoop Head]

I don't know if this is just Dime Magazine trying to generate hits or if there is some real truth to the rumor that Doncic may not enter the NBA draft this year. If he decides to wait then he'll probably be the #1 pick in 2019 but I can't see him falling out of the top 5 this year. He could even wait to come over for another year if he wants to play another year in Europe. If he pulls out of the draft though I think that ensures Ayton will go #1. Doncic was the only player that I've seen discussed as a possible #1 pick and that was largely dependent on who would get that pick rather than him being seen as that much better than Ayton or others. It seems the Kings and Magic are the most interested in him with the Suns, Hawks, and Grizzlies being teams that aren't sold on any 1 prospect. We'll see what happens, all I know is that the Suns should not tank in 2018/19 to draft Doncic if he decides to wait to enter the draft.

https://uproxx.com/dimemag/luka-donic-may-not-enter-2018-nba-draft/2/

 

[elindholm]

I don't know if this is just Dime Magazine trying to generate hits or if there is some real truth to the rumor that Doncic may not enter the NBA draft this year.

We're heading toward Tiago Splitter all over again.

 

[Raindog]

We'll see what happens, all I know is that the Suns should not tank in 2018/19 to draft Doncic if he decides to wait to enter the draft.

https://uproxx.com/dimemag/luka-donic-may-not-enter-2018-nba-draft/2/

I agree that Doncic isn't "tank worthy" (cue the "Seinfeld" references ). Ayton and maybe Bagley were. No one else in this draft class.

 

[Raindog]

BTW, that is another risk of drafting Doncic. If he doesn't like where he ends up, he can just go back to Europe for another one or more seasons without any real fallout to himself personally.

 

[SirStefan32]

I would be shocked if he stays in Europe.

 

[Hoop Head]

BTW, that is another risk of drafting Doncic. If he doesn't like where he ends up, he can just go back to Europe for another one or more seasons without any real fallout to himself personally.

That is something I hadn't thought of before. Perhaps that is what he would do rather than withdraw from the draft altogether. If he doesn't like where he's taken then he won't come over next season and wait for that team to either trade him or he can be signed to a contract outside of the typical NBA rookie contract. Bogdan Bogdanovich signed with the Kings for a much higher amount than he should have received as a former 1st round pick. Money talks and Doncic will play for any team that is willing to overpay for him. He may actually be taking a pay cut to come to the NBA at first if he truly is one of the best players in Europe. Not sure how much the top players make over there but I imagine their top players are paid rather well.

 

[Mainstreet]

That is something I hadn't thought of before. Perhaps that is what he would do rather than withdraw from the draft altogether. If he doesn't like where he's taken then he won't come over next season and wait for that team to either trade him or he can be signed to a contract outside of the typical NBA rookie contract. Bogdan Bogdanovich signed with the Kings for a much higher amount than he should have received as a former 1st round pick. Money talks and Doncic will play for any team that is willing to overpay for him. He may actually be taking a pay cut to come to the NBA at first if he truly is one of the best players in Europe. Not sure how much the top players make over there but I imagine their top players are paid rather well.

Please no more Bogdon. If there is any risk of Doncic staying in Europe, the Suns should not draft him. The future is now.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Please no more Bogdon. If there is any risk of Doncic staying in Europe, the Suns should not draft him. The future is now.

Curious about something. What are your expectations for next season?

 

[Mainstreet]

Curious about something. What are your expectations for next season?

I tend to be optimistic but I think the Suns should compete for a playoff spot next season, not necessarily making it.

Of course a lot of factors are involved like who the Suns draft, trades, free agency and of course injuries.

A new Head Coach will be a huge factor as well.

It would be quite a turnaround but if I recall correctly, McDonough feels it is possible for the Suns to make this type of rebound.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

PLAyoffs next year is a pipe dream IMO.

 

[Mainstreet]

PLAyoffs next year is a pipe dream IMO.

Probably, but I'd like to see the Suns compete for it.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I tend to be optimistic but I think the Suns should compete for a playoff spot next season, not necessarily making it.

Of course a lot of factors are involved like who the Suns draft, trades, free agency and of course injuries.

A new Head Coach will be a huge factor as well.

It would be quite a turnaround but if I recall correctly, McDonough feels it is possible for the Suns to make this type of rebound.

That’s what I feared. And I fear most of the board thinks the same.

We are THE worst team in the league and even if we do get Ayton he’s going to need a couple years to really become a force... as will any high draft pick.

I know you watch A LOT of basketball so it’s a little baffling to me to see this kind of projection for next year, while ignoring the history of the league... especially with young teams. We really only have TWO elite talents and one of them is still pretty raw. Think about the Thunder. Even when they drafted Harden to join Durant (our Booker) and Westbrook (our raw Jackson) they still started the next season 3-29 because of how young they were. I.T wasn’t until the Harden’s second season, Durabt’s 4th, Westbrook’s third that they got to the playoffs for the first time. And that’s with three guys who ended up being arguably 3 of the best 5 players in the league.

The future ISNT now. It’s still in the future for at least another season. My hope for next year is a ten game jump in wins, 15, being the highest ceiling I can see and that only gets us to 35 wins top.