2019 Draft Prospects...

[AzStevenCal]

Wasn't there injury concerns with Len's ankles? I remember he had surgery before his rookie year and never seemed to suffer any lingering issues in regards to his health. I'm not sure if his injury was the same as what's being discussed now but I do recall that being a legit worry about him.

Sure but we're talking percentages, risk, not predictions. Stress fractures don't always ruin the careers of big men, but they don't help and they add one more significant concern to an already risky situation.

As for Alex, I don't recall him needing any more surgeries for his foot/ankle after his last one the year we drafted him but that could well have been because he really didn't play a lot of minutes. Who knows how he would have held up if he'd logged the minutes you'd expect from a top 5 pick especially since he was basically "gifted" minutes when he was available. But between constant foul problems and a slew of other injuries (including some ankle problems), he really didn't get tested physically very much while in Phoenix.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I'm surprised I haven't seen much talk about RJ Barrett. I understand that he is not a position of need, but he is going to be a very good NBA player IMO and we could use JJ and Warren to find trades for a PG and a PF if we went that route. I see a very strong possibility that RJ ends up being the best player in this draft and enough offense would run through him that once he develops you wouldn't need a facilitating guard next to him and Booker. Now I would find it nearly impossible to pass on Zion if we get the #1 pick, but if we are sitting at 2 or 3 than I think RJ should be a strong consideration.

 

[SunnyBaller]

I'm surprised I haven't seen much talk about RJ Barrett. I understand that he is not a position of need, but he is going to be a very good NBA player IMO and we could use JJ and Warren to find trades for a PG and a PF if we went that route. I see a very strong possibility that RJ ends up being the best player in this draft and enough offense would run through him that once he develops you wouldn't need a facilitating guard next to him and Booker. Now I would find it nearly impossible to pass on Zion if we get the #1 pick, but if we are sitting at 2 or 3 than I think RJ should be a strong consideration.

The thing with RJ is just that he is very ball dominate, he isn't a great spot up shooter right now (but that could change) but the offense would have to run through him at first and just not sure that would work in Phoenix with Booker and Ayton , he'd have to play that sort of point forward position and Im not sure he's a good enough playmaker for that

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

The thing with RJ is just that he is very ball dominate, he isn't a great spot up shooter right now (but that could change) but the offense would have to run through him at first and just not sure that would work in Phoenix with Booker and Ayton , he'd have to play that sort of point forward position and Im not sure he's a good enough playmaker for that

He would likely come off the bench initially anyways and could play some of that role with the bench unit. With the starters he would be more of a secondary ball handler and is a good enough slasher and spot up shooter to play off the ball. I just don't like the idea of passing up on him for Morant for instance simply because Morant fits a bigger need (though he likely wouldn't be ready to start for us from day 1 anyways). We can use trades and free agents to fill those holes on the roster and simply take the best player available in the draft.

 

[Mainstreet]

If the Suns do not land Zion or Morant, I think they need to take a serious look at trading for Lonzo Ball.

Then add a couple of big men and perhaps a role playing point guard and the Suns are ready to roll.

 

[JCSunsfan]

ggggg

If the Suns do not land Zion or Morant, I think they need to take a serious look at trading for Lonzo Ball.

Then add a couple of big men and perhaps a role playing point guard and the Suns are ready to roll.

Stats wise, Rubio and Lonzo are very similar players. Ball seems more athletic and maybe has more upside.

 

[SirStefan32]

Rubio doesn't bring a circus with him though.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Rubio doesn't bring a circus with him though.

The circus just gives us an advantage in negotiating.

Really Lavar is pretty much a non-issue any more.

 

[Raze]

If the Suns do not land Zion or Morant, I think they need to take a serious look at trading for Lonzo Ball.

Then add a couple of big men and perhaps a role playing point guard and the Suns are ready to roll.

I strongly disagree. Lonzo still has a laundry list of issues: bad knees, bad ankles, bad shot, crazy dad, and zero confidence.

Patrick Beverly kindly summed up my biggest problem with Ball when he called him "easy" and "a weak A-- MF".

I'd take a hard pass on Ball even if he comes at a bargain basement price.

 

[95pro]

I strongly disagree. Lonzo still has a laundry list of issues: bad knees, bad ankles, bad shot, crazy dad, and zero confidence.

Patrick Beverly kindly summed up my biggest problem with Ball when he called him "easy" and "a weak A-- MF".

I'd take a hard pass on Ball even if he comes at a bargain basement price.

When did Beverley say that? After the opening game of Balls rookie game?

 

[BC867]

The circus just gives us an advantage in negotiating.

Really Lavar is pretty much a non-issue any more.

I think if Lonzo comes to Phoenix, Lavar and Sarver would feed off each other and it would be the talk of the league.

On one hand, after all the Suns bad publicity over the decade, I wouldn't normally look forward to that.

But if it hastens Sarver's departure, it could be worth it for awhile.

Larver and Savar. Oops, got it backwards. What a sideshow that would be until it burns out. Neither could resist.
In this corner, weighing . . .

 

[Mainstreet]

ggggg


Stats wise, Rubio and Lonzo are very similar players. Ball seems more athletic and maybe has more upside.

I'd rather have Ball than Rubio and he is younger and cheaper.

 

[Mainstreet]

I strongly disagree. Lonzo still has a laundry list of issues: bad knees, bad ankles, bad shot, crazy dad, and zero confidence.

Patrick Beverly kindly summed up my biggest problem with Ball when he called him "easy" and "a weak A-- MF".

I'd take a hard pass on Ball even if he comes at a bargain basement price.

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.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I see a very strong possibility that RJ ends up being the best player in this draft and enough offense would run through him that once he develops you wouldn't need a facilitating guard next to him and Booker. Now I would find it nearly impossible to pass on Zion if we get the #1 pick, but if we are sitting at 2 or 3 than I think RJ should be a strong consideration.

Wow! I am very surprised. I see almost zero possibility assuming both players stay healthy and neither one is kidnapped by aliens. Not that this proves anything but I find it incredible that as well as Barrett has played, Zion has almost doubled him in PER.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Zion, in his first return from his 3 week layoff, went 13 for 13 from the field scoring 29 points and 14 boards to go with 5 steals and a block. This kid is special, very special.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Zion, in his first return from his 3 week layoff, went 13 for 13 from the field scoring 29 points and 14 boards to go with 5 steals and a block. This kid is special, very special.

It’s not just his production. It’s his otherworldly efficiency.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Wow! I am very surprised. I see almost zero possibility assuming both players stay healthy and neither one is kidnapped by aliens. Not that this proves anything but I find it incredible that as well as Barrett has played, Zion has almost doubled him in PER.

I'm looking at it from the perspective of what works best at the NBA level. RJ shares a very similar style of play to most of the top 10 or so players in the game and if he puts in the work he will likely be one of those guys. Zion is a legit freak of nature and that is an awesome thing to imagine getting, but it is also almost impossible to project exactly what he will be at the next level. He is not a ball dominant guy like Harden, LeBron, Giannis, KD, Leonard, etc. Those guys are among the most valuable players in the league and Zion doesn't really project to be that sort of player. I would still draft him over anyone else in this draft because I just think his floor is very high, but I am not sold that he will be the overall impact player (especially on offense) that those guys I mentioned are.

 

[Phrazbit]

The circus just gives us an advantage in negotiating.

Really Lavar is pretty much a non-issue any more.

I agree that the circus hurts Lonzo's value but it's because the circus is real. LaVar was as toxic as he has ever been in the press during the trade deadline and I didn't see Lonzo rebuke his dad or any Laker players or staff defend Lonzo. IMO, he's an established outcast in that locker-room.

I think LaVar only kept his trap shut for much of the season because of LeBron's stature. There is nothing like that here and I fully expect that LaVar will only refrain from tearing into players, coaches and ownership if the Suns are winning AND Lonzo is playing at a really high level, any time either slip that lunatic will go off the rails.

 

[Phrazbit]

Zion, in his first return from his 3 week layoff, went 13 for 13 from the field scoring 29 points and 14 boards to go with 5 steals and a block. This kid is special, very special.

People love to talk about the next "this" the next "that", but super star players rarely resemble one another. I've never seen anything like Zion. Not saying he's the best or has a realistic chance to be the best, but I think he's got a real shot at being one of the most exciting players in league history.

I really hope we get him but even if we don't, I hope he stays healthy, that guy is going to be a blast to watch.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I'm looking at it from the perspective of what works best at the NBA level. RJ shares a very similar style of play to most of the top 10 or so players in the game and if he puts in the work he will likely be one of those guys. Zion is a legit freak of nature and that is an awesome thing to imagine getting, but it is also almost impossible to project exactly what he will be at the next level. He is not a ball dominant guy like Harden, LeBron, Giannis, KD, Leonard, etc. Those guys are among the most valuable players in the league and Zion doesn't really project to be that sort of player. I would still draft him over anyone else in this draft because I just think his floor is very high, but I am not sold that he will be the overall impact player (especially on offense) that those guys I mentioned are.

If LeBron had played college ball, it would have looked like what Zion is doing now. Except Zion is a better rebounder, a better three point shooter than LeBron was, and more efficient.

His closest present NBA player is LeBron. Big, athletic, physically dominant, smart, aggressive, intensely competitive, able to force his will on the game.

The biggest concern about Zion has to be injury. The physical forces that he is placing on his joints, ligaments, bones, etc, have to be incredible. Failure seems a very real danger.

 

[SirStefan32]

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.

 

[Krangodnzr]

If the Suns do not land Zion or Morant, I think they need to take a serious look at trading for Lonzo Ball.

Then add a couple of big men and perhaps a role playing point guard and the Suns are ready to roll.

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

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

If LeBron had played college ball, it would have looked like what Zion is doing now. Except Zion is a better rebounder, a better three point shooter than LeBron was, and more efficient.

His closest present NBA player is LeBron. Big, athletic, physically dominant, smart, aggressive, intensely competitive, able to force his will on the game.

The biggest concern about Zion has to be injury. The physical forces that he is placing on his joints, ligaments, bones, etc, have to be incredible. Failure seems a very real danger.

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.

 

[AzStevenCal]

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.

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.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

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.

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.