2017-2018 Draft Prospects watch.

[CardNots]

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. 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.

Solid pen

 

[SirStefan32]

I know he signed a five year contract when he was 13, but I am really not sure what his current contract looks like. He will likely not be losing any money if he comes over as a top pick. Not sure if this is still the case, but most teams in Europe paid taxes, bought cars and houses for players, so whatever he makes now is actually significantly more than what his base salary suggests. It is rare for a contract to exceed two to three million Euros per year, even for stars. Figure in taxes, bonuses, conversion rate, and you are probably looking at the equivalent of $4-$5M. That's pretty comparable to the rookie contract if you are drafter near the top.

 

[SirStefan32]

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. 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.

I agree with you, for the most part, but it's hard to predict such a young team. How much better is Booker going to be? How much better is JJ going to be? How much will Ayton or Bagley, or Doncic, or whoever be? Could Bender and Chriss improve a bit and look like serviceable NBA players? What will all this look like with a real point guard, if the Suns get one? I would be surprised if the Suns make playoffs, but I wouldn't say it's not possible.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I agree with you, for the most part, but it's hard to predict such a young team. How much better is Booker going to be? How much better is JJ going to be? How much will Ayton or Bagley, or Doncic, or whoever be? Could Bender and Chriss improve a bit and look like serviceable NBA players? What will all this look like with a real point guard, if the Suns get one? I would be surprised if the Suns make playoffs, but I wouldn't say it's not possible.

I wouldn't say it's impossible either, but for them to even challenge that means Ayton comes in and is pretty much a beast right away... even with Booker and Jackson improving, IMO. Or at least he's 2nd half of JJ's season right away and then takes a quantum leap like Jackson did in the second half of the year.

If we got him and he comes in and is Embidd-esque, maybe we challenge. But most if not all of us think that he doesn't quite have the dog in him Embiid does. And if it's Doncic, even if he ends up being a great player, he's still a baby too so he's not only going to have to adjust to the NBA, but he's also likely going to take at least a year of seasoning before making a big impact.

 

[Phrazbit]

I want them to be entertaining and competitive more often than not. 30-35 wins in the crazy West would be a great indicator of a bright future.

Philly is finally competitive again, but even with their roster they almost certainly would not be competing for a playoff spot in the West.

When you sink to the bottom it's usually a long haul back. We got spoiled when we landed Nash, a player so good that he probably could have won 45-50 games with almost any roster... and we had another all-star in place with Marion and a monster in Amare already in place.

 

[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.

McD also thought three PGs would work... and that this year's team was going to challenge for the playoffs, so to be honest, I don't really put a lot of stock into what he feels is possible.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I want them to be entertaining and competitive more often than not. 30-35 wins in the crazy West would be a great indicator of a bright future.

Philly is finally competitive again, but even with their roster they almost certainly would not be competing for a playoff spot in the West.

When you sink to the bottom it's usually a long haul back. We got spoiled when we landed Nash, a player so good that he probably could have won 45-50 games with almost any roster... and we had another all-star in place with Marion and a monster in Amare already in place.

And we had JJ, who lit up the league in the 2nd half of his 2nd year right before we got Nash. We also were still looked at at that point as under Colangelo's wing, so we could go out and lure a big name FA to the team. I don't have that confidence with the current FO, which is why I think we won't get that shot in the arm that Nash brought us, bringing a really incredible rosters of young massively talented guys together with the ULTIMATE veteran to bring them all together.

 

[Mainstreet]

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.

I don't agree with the mentality of fear.

Taking the position the Suns can't compete for the playoffs is the safe way out... the safe bet. Ask any pundit they will give this prediction

The Suns and fans need to be optimistic. I'm so tired of the pessimism of the last two season with the Suns tanking.

So what if the Suns do not make the playoffs?

I want them to go full throttle forward. Keep building around Booker, Jackson, their draft picks and add veterans and see where the Suns end up.

I don't like built-in excuses of why they won't.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I don't agree with the mentality of fear.

Taking the position the Suns can't compete for the playoffs is the safe way out... the safe bet. Ask any pundit they will give this prediction

The Suns and fans need to be optimistic. I'm so tired of the pessimism of the last two season with the Suns tanking.

So what if the Suns do not make the playoffs?

I want them to go full throttle forward. Keep building around Booker, Jackson, their draft picks and add veterans and see where the Suns end up.

I don't like built-in excuses of why they won't.

Lol... Fear? It’s called realism. Expecting a 25 win improvement is setting the Suns and yourself up for failure... just like you and the team did this season when people didn’t have the foresight to realize that light at the end of the tunnel wasn’t the way out, but an oncoming train.

But if you really believe the above, What will be funny next year is a possibility that this board completely swings directions... where the tankers will be happy with solid steps forward and modest improvement and you will be calling for people’s heads because of unrealistic expectations.

 

[Mainstreet]

McD also thought three PGs would work... and that this year's team was going to challenge for the playoffs, so to be honest, I don't really put a lot of stock into what he feels is possible.

The above doesn't prove anything.

I'm going on what I think is possible... the Suns having a competitive team next season.

Feelings shouldn't be the barometer.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The above doesn't prove anything.

I'm going on what I think is possible... the Suns having a competitive team next season.

Feelings shouldn't be the barometer.

It proves that McD has been wrong time and time again about this team and thus, when you throw him believing we can turn I.T around fast, it holds no weight for me.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The above doesn't prove anything.

I'm going on what I think is possible... the Suns having a competitive team next season.

Feelings shouldn't be the barometer.

And I think a 30-35 win club is competitive. But there a difference between being competitive and competing for a playoff spot.

I’m hoping for a year similar to the Lalers this year. Fun, young exciting team that can be competitive almost every night, pull out some really nice Ws but still not be quite consistent enough to get to the playoffs as they go through their maturation period.

 

[Mainstreet]

And I think a 30-35 win club is competitive. But there a difference between being competitive and competing for a playoff spot.

I’m hoping for a year similar to the Lalers this year. Fun, young exciting team that can be competitive almost every night, pull out some really nice Ws but still not be quite consistent enough to get to the playoffs as they go through their maturation period.

I'm not expecting the Suns to make the playoffs next season but I want them to be in the mix.

The Suns could have less than a winning record but if they are well on their way to becoming a playoff team, I would be satisfied going forward.

However, I do not want the Suns to be complacent. I'm too tired of losing.

 

[Carolinacacti]

Playoffs did someone say playoffs? Well if they hit free agency and the draft. Pickup Chriss Paul and Randle or Parker. Draft Ayton then yes Playoffs

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'm not expecting the Suns to make the playoffs next season but I want them to be in the mix.

The Suns could have less than a winning record but if they are well on their way to becoming a playoff team, I would be satisfied going forward.

However, I do not want the Suns to be complacent. I'm too tired of losing.

That’s all I’m saying Main. Next year is about positive steps forward and I don’t want to see this team do what they apparently wanted to do last offseason, signing a guy like Griffin to a contract he wasn’t even close to worth, which will be an anchor on our cap while not letting us get much better. Thus, looking at the future as bright, but not it being here already.

The time to get good is while you still have youngins on rookie deals then you can amplify the team with a big name FA once they’re humming along as a playoff team and hopefully shoot them to the top.

 

[Errntknght]

I expect the team to improve but, at this point, the playoffs are not a reasonable goal. As I've been saying the last half, the Suns are not tanking - they're just plain bad. We are the bottom team on both offense and defense, we have the worst point differential for example, the worst 3pt percentage, the second worst FG%, second worst foul average, tied for second worst TO rate.
If things go our way in the draft we'll be starting two rookies - at PG and PF/C and all of our starters will be on rookie contracts. So will most of our bench. A new coach will have to work miracles to get to 15 more wins than this year, and 10 more is still a major step. That would entail getting something positive out of Bender or Chriss and continued improvement from Jackson. (I'm assuming Len will be gone and he has been our most productive big this year, sorry as he was.)

 

[Mainstreet]

That’s all I’m saying Main. Next year is about positive steps forward and I don’t want to see this team do what they apparently wanted to do last offseason, signing a guy like Griffin to a contract he wasn’t even close to worth, which will be an anchor on our cap while not letting us get much better. Thus, looking at the future as bright, but not it being here already.

The time to get good is while you still have youngins on rookie deals then you can amplify the team with a big name FA once they’re humming along as a playoff team and hopefully shoot them to the top.

I'm looking forward to next season as should all Suns fans. It should be an exciting time.

Enthusiasm tempered with reality is always a good thing. However, I see no reason not to shoot high. Fans have been looking at the bottom too long.

Not signing Griffin was a blessing. It was a bullet dodged.

Let's hope the Suns make all the right moves.

 

[hsandhu]

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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!!!

Bagley Also liked a tweet by fitz a few weeks back, saying he hoped he teams with booker and comes back home.

I think he really wants to play at home, hopefully if we fall to 3 or 4 maybe McD can play the same game he did last year and get bagley not to workout for teams at 2 or 3.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Latest Luka Doncic update:

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/3/30/17181644/luka-doncic-draft-prospect-game-winning-3

The negative: 7 turnovers with 4 assists

The positives: 24 points on 7-12 shooting, 9 rebounds, and a game-winning 3

 

[Mainstreet]

Latest Luka Doncic update:

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/3/30/17181644/luka-doncic-draft-prospect-game-winning-3

The negative: 7 turnovers with 4 assists

The positives: 24 points on 7-12 shooting, 9 rebounds, and a game-winning 3

It will likely be PG by committee with Booker and Doncic.

I can hear some fans screaming about the Suns going back to a two PG system.

If Doncic is an elite talent, I can live with it.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Latest Luka Doncic update:

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/3/30/17181644/luka-doncic-draft-prospect-game-winning-3

The negative: 7 turnovers with 4 assists

The positives: 24 points on 7-12 shooting, 9 rebounds, and a game-winning 3

I'm obviously a skeptic, but I do like seeing a kid that young stick that shot and just brush it off his shoulder like that. Speaks to a high level of confidence.

 

[Phrazbit]

I'm obviously a skeptic, but I do like seeing a kid that young stick that shot and just brush it off his shoulder like that. Speaks to a high level of confidence.

One thing not to worry about with Doncic is him being too passive. He plays with a lot of fire and energy.

 

[SirStefan32]

I'm obviously a skeptic, but I do like seeing a kid that young stick that shot and just brush it off his shoulder like that. Speaks to a high level of confidence.

He's done that before. He has a strange combination of confidence and calmness about him.

 

[Hoop Head]

Doncic seems to have a Dragic like demeanor. He's got a drive to win and is competitive but he's able to manage it well. He reminds me of a bigger and better version of Goran in what I've seen from him so far. We could do worse than drafting Doncic but I still don't see him as a long term NBA PG. I suspect we'd have a year or two before needing to choose which 2 we want to keep, between Doncic, Booker, and Jackson, and with how good Jackson has looked toward the end of this season I think it's best if we avoid that altogether by selecting a big instead of Doncic. Either a big or Trae Young. Booker and Jackson are our core going forward, Young would compliment their games and Ayton would fit with them, so would Bagley and Bamba, but Porter and Doncic may struggle to fit with those 2. I don't see Porter being a PF, not as a rookie, at least.

 

[Mainstreet]

Doncic seems to have a Dragic like demeanor. He's got a drive to win and is competitive but he's able to manage it well. He reminds me of a bigger and better version of Goran in what I've seen from him so far. We could do worse than drafting Doncic but I still don't see him as a long term NBA PG. I suspect we'd have a year or two before needing to choose which 2 we want to keep, between Doncic, Booker, and Jackson, and with how good Jackson has looked toward the end of this season I think it's best if we avoid that altogether by selecting a big instead of Doncic. Either a big or Trae Young. Booker and Jackson are our core going forward, Young would compliment their games and Ayton would fit with them, so would Bagley and Bamba, but Porter and Doncic may struggle to fit with those 2. I don't see Porter being a PF, not as a rookie, at least.

Chriss is showing signs he wants to be a part of the Suns core as well. If he steps forward, the Suns timetable moves up.