2019 Draft Prospects...

[AzStevenCal]

Yeah. Giannis may be the most valuable player asset in the entire league (I'd argue he's exactly that), and his long-range shooting is well below average.

Yeah, I think he is the most valuable asset in the league right now. I know I wouldn't move him for any other player even if they sweetened the offer with a pick or two. Besides what he already can do, it's clear that he is highly motivated - he doesn't just talk a good game, he works his butt off all year long. He's the reason I won't just proclaim Zion as a lock to become the best player in the NBA 5 years from now.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I am not as high on Zion as most people, but looking at this draft, I don't see any other potential game-changers.
Injury concerns or not, I am taking Zion over RJ or Ja any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

I’m curious what your thoughts on Zion are that they temper your enthusiasm?

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

And yet, to my knowledge, no one, has dominated major college basketball like Zion has in the past 50 years. A PER over 42? Unheard of, especially when you're talking about the big named conferences. And he's an incredible defensive weapon too, and not just steals and blocks. Also, he finishes over NBA size too, frequently, it's not just the little guys. Despite his build, he's a finesse player with incredible athleticism and body control.

Besides injury, I really have no concerns about his game translating. Sure, he might not develop as an outside shooter and if that happens, that might limit his growth at the next level. And yet, IMO, if that happens, he'll still be a top 5 or so player in the NBA before long.

I have no concerns about him being a very good player in the NBA. The point of my argument is where is the limit considering he doesn't really seem to be a ball dominant type of player and that is what most of the top players are?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Trading what for Lonzo Ball? He has enough warts that it better not be anything of high value.

I don’t want to trade JJ but it seems a trade that’s spot on. Same draft. Drafted 2nd and 4th. Both have had some level modicum level of success with more frustration. Both viewed as potential. Lonzo comes with Lavar. JJ makes some bad decisions (like no showing at schedules appearance).

 

[JCSunsfan]

Completely disagree with this statement. LeBron has dominated the ball at every level and he would have in college as well. Also LeBron despite not being a great NBA 3 point shooter when he entered the league was still a pretty good shooter at the high-school level. Zion's game is predicated 100% on getting all the way to the basket and then finishing over smaller less athletic players at the college level. He is athletic enough and big enough that he will still have success at doing that in the NBA, but likely not at nearly the effectiveness as he has in college.

Should have known better. No matter what comparison you make, there is always someone who will hyper-analyze. Let me put it this way. If LeBron had played college ball, his stats would have been very similar to Zion, except Zion would have more rebounds. There will always be differences when comparing players, but the similarities would be very significant.

LeBron dominated physically and had very good ball skills, so does Zion. BTW. Zion does not dominate smaller players, he dominates ALL players--every single player who has ever stepped on the court with him.

 

[Mainstreet]

Trading what for Lonzo Ball? He has enough warts that it better not be anything of high value.

I'd trade the Bucks pick and for him but it would be difficult to get the salaries to work. It would probably take a third team to get involved and have it as a spinoff trade. It may be less complicated for the Suns to work a trade for another point guard.

What makes Ball attractive is there is no long term commitment. If the Suns acquired Ball though, they would need to have another point guard or two that is capable of starting.

I'm reluctant for the Suns to overspend on a point guard that will put them in CAP hell.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'd trade the Bucks pick and for him but it would be difficult to get the salaries to work. It would probably take a third team to get involved and have it as a spinoff trade. It may be less complicated for the Suns do work a trade for another point guard.

What makes Ball attractive is there is no long term commitment. If the Suns acquired Ball though, they would need to have another point guard or two that is capable of starting.

I'm reluctant for the Suns to overspend on a point guard that will put them in CAP hell.

Jackson for Ball would be an easy deal.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I'd trade the Bucks pick and for him but it would be difficult to get the salaries to work. It would probably take a third team to get involved and have it as a spinoff trade. It may be less complicated for the Suns do work a trade for another point guard.

Not that I'm advocating for this, but if the Suns make that deal in the offseason while still under the cap, they can just absorb Ball's contract into the cap space.

 

[Mainstreet]

Jackson for Ball would be an easy deal.

The only reason I didn't go there is because I do not want to give up on Jackson but you are right it works nicely.

 

[Mainstreet]

Not that I'm advocating for this, but if the Suns make that deal in the offseason while still under the cap, they can just absorb Ball's contract into the cap space.

Good point.

 

[AZCrazy]

Depends on where we fall in the draft. #1 nets Zion without question. #2 or after is tradeable excess. We could trade our pick, the Bucks pick, JJ and whatever else to net a pro caliber seasoned PG. Getting Lonzo just gives us yet another child and more years to wait for success.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Should have known better. No matter what comparison you make, there is always someone who will hyper-analyze. Let me put it this way. If LeBron had played college ball, his stats would have been very similar to Zion, except Zion would have more rebounds. There will always be differences when comparing players, but the similarities would be very significant.

LeBron dominated physically and had very good ball skills, so does Zion. BTW. Zion does not dominate smaller players, he dominates ALL players--every single player who has ever stepped on the court with him.

All of which are smaller than him and the gap in that size and athleticism will shrink at the next level. Like I have said in other posts, Zion is going to be a very good NBA player, I am not doubting that. What I am questioning is just where his ceiling is when he isn't really a ball dominant type of player. Also I very much believe LeBron would have been dropping about 30/8/8 as a college freshman and is truly not comparable to Zion.

 

[SirStefan32]

I’m curious what your thoughts on Zion are that they temper your enthusiasm?

Mostly the fact that I haven't watched enough of him or college basketball in general this year, honestly. I watched a lot more last year, but I have only seen the top prospects two to three times this year.
I haven't seen enough of him to be sure that he can bully and fly over grown men the way he bullies and jumps over the college kids. I am not down on Zion, but I haven't seen enough of him to be really high on him.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I have no concerns about him being a very good player in the NBA. The point of my argument is where is the limit considering he doesn't really seem to be a ball dominant type of player and that is what most of the top players are?

It sounds like you're downgrading because he's a team player and I would remind you that Lebron was very much a team first player when he entered the league with an almost identical usage rate to Zion's year in college. He's playing on a team with stars, some of whom do need to dominate the ball. I think it's incredible what he's doing while still allowing others to handle the ball so much.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Mostly the fact that I haven't watched enough of him or college basketball in general this year, honestly. I watched a lot more last year, but I have only seen the top prospects two to three times this year.
I haven't seen enough of him to be sure that he can bully and fly over grown men the way he bullies and jumps over the college kids. I am not down on Zion, but I haven't seen enough of him to be really high on him.

He's really far more of a finesse player than a bully. Seriously. All this talk you've likely read about him muscling smaller players around does him a disservice. He is strong but many (most?) of his inside shots, steals, blocks and rebounds come from his speed, jumping ability, court awareness and understanding of angles. Watch his highlights from his most recent game (Syracuse) and I think you might just become a Zion convert.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

It sounds like you're downgrading because he's a team player and I would remind you that Lebron was very much a team first player when he entered the league with an almost identical usage rate to Zion's year in college. He's playing on a team with stars, some of whom do need to dominate the ball. I think it's incredible what he's doing while still allowing others to handle the ball so much.

I am not down grading him because he is a team player. I am questioning his ability to be dominant on offense when he doesn’t really create for himself or others off the dribble. Look at his most recent game for instance. He was 13 of 13 with just one jump shot and all of his other 12 field goals were dunks and layups off of catches around the basket or offensive rebounds. NBA defenses will do a better job of denying him on the offensive glass and cuts/lobs around the basket.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I am not down grading him because he is a team player. I am questioning his ability to be dominant on offense when he doesn’t really create for himself or others off the dribble. Look at his most recent game for instance. He was 13 of 13 with just one jump shot and all of his other 12 field goals were dunks and layups off of catches around the basket or offensive rebounds. NBA defenses will do a better job of denying him on the offensive glass and cuts/lobs around the basket.

I think you’re way underestimating how effective he’ll be at the next level. More spacing means his speed and quicks will provide more paths to the basket. And his ability to offensive rebound alone will afford him a lot of self-generated opportunities. I have zero doubt he is going to dominate within two years if not immediately.

 

[BC867]

I could care less what Beverley thinks. The Lakers are part of the problem.

I'm guessing a lot of young players want to get out of there.

If he comes at a reasonable price the Suns could do much worse.

And the Suns would have enough money to improve the rest of their roster.

We cannot forget that the Suns are as dysfunctional as the Lakers.

Even if it is going from the fire back to the frying pan (and that is debatable),
why would players want to be with another dysfunctional team?

And, let's face it. LaLa Land has a lot more glamour to offer than Phoenix.

 

[Cheesebeef]

He's really far more of a finesse player than a bully. Seriously. All this talk you've likely read about him muscling smaller players around does him a disservice. He is strong but many (most?) of his inside shots, steals, blocks and rebounds come from his speed, jumping ability, court awareness and understanding of angles. Watch his highlights from his most recent game (Syracuse) and I think you might just become a Zion convert.

yup. I can't compare him to LeBron so much simply because he doesn't have LeBron's HOF level passing skills, which he pretty much came into the league with.

I think a better comp is a freak version of Barkley, who was pretty much a freak himself. He's also prob a little bigger than Barkley, but when I see the steals, i see young Charles doing the same and just destroying the rim. Also has that wiggle and rebounding ability, while also being a solid passer and that speed which is rare for a player his size. I think people forget just how freaking amazing of a player Barkley his entire career up through his first year with us. Injuries started to take their toll at that point, but before then, he was electric on the court.

And I think if Cotton Fitzsimmons was still alive and looking at this team, he'd say the one thing they're really missing is a Charles Barkley type guy, just like he did in 1992 after we lost to the Blazers. There's an attitude and swagger missing from this very talented group of youngins... a true badass everywhere on the court. Book has a lot of that on offense, but not much on D and while Oubre brings a solid amount of attitude, it's not quite the same as a tone setter because he's not one of the superstars who will lead us.

Honestly, I think I'd poop my pants if we got that first pick. Put Zion and a PG with a pulse on this team and I think we don't just see improvement next year, but a quantum leap.

 

[95pro]

We cannot forget that the Suns are as dysfunctional as the Lakers.

Even if it is going from the fire back to the frying pan (and that is debatable),
why would players want to be with another dysfunctional team?

And, let's face it. LaLa Land has a lot more glamour to offer than Phoenix.

It's obvious the players took major offense to Lebron and his tactics, and most likely they don't want to be on the Lakers. There's even word that Jeanie Buss is open to moving Lebron.

 

[AzStevenCal]

It's obvious the players took major offense to Lebron and his tactics, and most likely they don't want to be on the Lakers. There's even word that Jeanie Buss is open to moving Lebron.

Supposedly she was about to at the deadline until Rich Paul promised that his camp had nothing to do with the Davis trade demand leak.

 

[BC867]

It's obvious the players took major offense to Lebron and his tactics, and most likely they don't want to be on the Lakers. There's even word that Jeanie Buss is open to moving Lebron.

Ah, you're right. Of course, if Jeanie moves him, I don't think any Laker would choose the current Suns over the Lakers.

The Lakers would lose their dysfunctional tag (especially if they also move Ball), but the Suns would still . . . well, you know.

 

[JCSunsfan]

yup. I can't compare him to LeBron so much simply because he doesn't have LeBron's HOF level passing skills, which he pretty much came into the league with.

I think a better comp is a freak version of Barkley, who was pretty much a freak himself. He's also prob a little bigger than Barkley, but when I see the steals, i see young Charles doing the same and just destroying the rim. Also has that wiggle and rebounding ability, while also being a solid passer and that speed which is rare for a player his size. I think people forget just how freaking amazing of a player Barkley his entire career up through his first year with us. Injuries started to take their toll at that point, but before then, he was electric on the court.

And I think if Cotton Fitzsimmons was still alive and looking at this team, he'd say the one thing they're really missing is a Charles Barkley type guy, just like he did in 1992 after we lost to the Blazers. There's an attitude and swagger missing from this very talented group of youngins... a true badass everywhere on the court. Book has a lot of that on offense, but not much on D and while Oubre brings a solid amount of attitude, it's not quite the same as a tone setter because he's not one of the superstars who will lead us.

Honestly, I think I'd poop my pants if we got that first pick. Put Zion and a PG with a pulse on this team and I think we don't just see improvement next year, but a quantum leap.

I could go along with that comparison.

 

[Mainstreet]

We cannot forget that the Suns are as dysfunctional as the Lakers.

Even if it is going from the fire back to the frying pan (and that is debatable),
why would players want to be with another dysfunctional team?

And, let's face it. LaLa Land has a lot more glamour to offer than Phoenix.

I don't know. Lebron may have put them over the top.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I don't know. Lebron may have put them over the top.

yep