2024 NBA Draft talk: Suns own pick 22

[Ronin]

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[Yuma]

There’s a growing belief from rival NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype that Phoenix will target Marquette point guard Tyler Kolek with the 22nd overall pick.

Kolek led the NCAA in assists this season and would be a potential fit for the Suns, who want to add a traditional point guard this offseason.

It’s also worth noting Kolek is a Priority Sports client and is represented by agent Mark Bartelstein, whose son, Josh, is the CEO of the Suns.

 

[Raindog]

I would be happy with Kolek.

 

[CardNots]

I would be happy with Kolek.

I wonder if Kolek’s is Nash-like?

 

[Mainstreet]

I wonder if Kolek’s is Nash-like?

Hmm. Is Kolek a safe pick? That is what they said when the Suns drafted Nash.

Kolek's highlights are somewhat Nash-like.

 

[CardNots]

Hmm. Is Kolek a safe pick? That is what they said when the Suns drafted Nash.

Kolek's highlights are somewhat Nash-like.

I remember there was concern with the pick of Nash and little to no fanfare. We even gave up on him pretty quickly.

 

[Yuma]

I remember there was concern with the pick of Nash and little to no fanfare. We even gave up on him pretty quickly.

As a fan, I think I was the only fan I knew that was ecstatic we drafted him. I also was the only guy pissed we traded for Kidd with him in the trade. It all worked out when we got him back. I don't think if he had not played with Dirk, he would have become the player he did.

 

[Mainstreet]

I remember there was concern with the pick of Nash and little to no fanfare. We even gave up on him pretty quickly.

Seldom in life is one able to correct a mistake. This was one of them.

 

[Mainstreet]

As a fan, I think I was the only fan I knew that was ecstatic we drafted him. I also was the only guy pissed we traded for Kidd with him in the trade. It all worked out when we got him back. I don't think if he had not played with Dirk, he would have become the player he did.

There were a couple of other Suns players who were drafted who didn't get much love from the fans, Jeff Hornacek and Dan Majerle.

 

[Mainstreet]

As a fan, I think I was the only fan I knew that was ecstatic we drafted him. I also was the only guy pissed we traded for Kidd with him in the trade. It all worked out when we got him back. I don't think if he had not played with Dirk, he would have become the player he did.

The Suns knew how to draft back then. The first round pick they got from Dallas in the Nash trade turned out to be Shawn Marion.

 

[AzStevenCal]

As a fan, I think I was the only fan I knew that was ecstatic we drafted him. I also was the only guy pissed we traded for Kidd with him in the trade. It all worked out when we got him back. I don't think if he had not played with Dirk, he would have become the player he did.

I'd followed Santa Clara since Steve's freshman season when they knocked off a much more talented UA squad in the first round. As I recall he played off ball a lot his first two years before becoming the everyday starter at PG but I thought his future would be primarily as a shooting guard. I liked the pick a lot but never envisioned him becoming a HOF player or an MVP candidate (let alone two time winner). But wasn't he part of the deal that landed us Marion in the draft? Seems to me that JKidd came over in the Finley trade.

 

[AzStevenCal]

There were a couple of other Suns players who were drafted who didn't get much love from the fans, Jeff Hornacek and Dan Majerle.

I loved the Majerle pick and always felt the smattering of boos meant next to nothing. College basketball fans knew him and what he could do. I didn't know much about Hornacek going into the draft except for his strong showing in the tournament but getting him in the second round was a pleasant surprise.

 

[Ronin]

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[Mainstreet]

I loved the Majerle pick and always felt the smattering of boos meant next to nothing. College basketball fans knew him and what he could do. I didn't know much about Hornacek going into the draft except for his strong showing in the tournament but getting him in the second round was a pleasant surprise.

Yeah, Dan Majerle was soild and even played on the men's U.S. Olympic team. Too bad he trended towards being an outside shooter later on.

I'm sure it's probably a repeat, but I got to talk to Jeff Hornacek at a shopping mall after he became an established player. I told him I knew he would be a good NBA player when I saw he was able to dribble the ball into traffic without it getting taken away, sort of like Chris Mullin. Fans were allowed to attend training camp back then. I also remember him taping his fingers to improve his shooting touch. He worked hard to become the player he was, but he had the talent.

 

[Superbone]

I wonder if Kolek’s is Nash-like?

My understanding is that he's a better shooting TJ McConnell.

 

[CardNots]

Yeah, Dan Majerle was soild and even played on the men's U.S. Olympic team. Too bad he trended towards being an outside shooter later on.

I'm sure it's probably a repeat, but I got to talk to Jeff Hornacek at a shopping mall after he became an established player. I told him I knew he would be a good NBA player when I saw he was able to dribble the ball into traffic without it getting taken away, sort of like Chris Mullin. Fans were allowed to attend training camp back then. I also remember him taping his fingers to improve his shooting touch. He worked hard to become the player he was, but he had the talent.

I remember Cotton saying to the fans when Dan was picked. You will regret the day you booed Dan Majerle.

 

[Mainstreet]

I remember Cotton saying to the fans when Dan was picked. You will regret the day you booed Dan Majerle.

What's worse, I remember a lot of fans laughing when the Suns described Jeff Hornacek's game on draft day. He was a second round pick.

They must have thought the Suns were full of hot air.

 

[JCSunsfan]

We need to add at LEAST two players who can contribute. We really need a big to go alongside Nurkic in the starting 5, assuming he's still here. A PG for the second unit, too.

It is easier to add from free agency a vet minimum player that can contribute than to get two players that contribute in the late first round or second round. This is a draft that might have a decent player fall into the mid first round (Suns level). To me it does not really have any clear star players. I would rather take my chances with the highest pick I can get rather than looking for contributors later.

 

[CardNots]

What's worse, I remember a lot of fans laughing when the Suns described Jeff Hornacek's game on draft day. He was a second round pick.

They must have thought the Suns were full of hot air.

I thought Cotton was a good evaluator of basketball talent.

 

[Hoop Head]

I read about Kolek the other day. Gives me Ty Jerome vibes more than Nash.

 

[Mainstreet]

I read about Kolek the other day. Gives me Ty Jerome vibes more than Nash.

Yeah, there is a very fine line when a player has marginal athleticism, especially with his measurements.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Hmm. Is Kolek a safe pick? That is what they said when the Suns drafted Nash.

Kolek's highlights are somewhat Nash-like.

I see the offensive highlights, but how is Kolek as a defender?

I have checked out of the NBA for a while. Last year's team was rather uninteresting, and I have been a Suns junkie for years. Its just that the team looked destined for disappointment. I was pretty much into the NCAA tourney. The father of one of the final four coaches is a really good friend of mine, so watching this year was a real blast

 

[Mainstreet]

I see the offensive highlights, but how is Kolek as a defender?

I have checked out of the NBA for a while. Last year's team was rather uninteresting, and I have been a Suns junkie for years. Its just that the team looked destined for disappointment. I was pretty much into the NCAA tourney. The father of one of the final four coaches is a really good friend of mine, so watching this year was a real blast

I haven't watched much film on Kolek, but I think teams will draft him mostly based on his leadership ability, passing and being a capable scorer. He is limited athletically, so one-on-one defense might be a problem, however, he will probably be an adequate team defender within a scheme.

IMO, the key, does he have the speed, moves and quickness to get his shot off against good defenders? This was a significant problem for Ty Jerome and could be for Kolek as well.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I haven't watched much film on Kolek, but I think teams will draft him mostly based on his leadership ability, passing and being a capable scorer. He is limited athletically, so one-on-one defense might be a problem, however, he will probably be an adequate team defender within a scheme.

IMO, the key, does he have the speed, moves and quickness to get his shot off against good defenders? This was a significant problem for Ty Jerome and could be for Kolek as well.

Jerome was more of a combo guard whereas kolek is a lead guard. But yes, if the league is too fast for him he’ll have similar issues to Jerome’s.

 

[Raindog]

Jerome was more of a combo guard whereas kolek is a lead guard. But yes, if the league is too fast for him he’ll have similar issues to Jerome’s.

If the Suns are going to have to take a chance on someone who is 50-50 chance of being a bust anyway - which they are where they are picking and with the quality of this draft - I would much rather they spend their pick on a position of need than on another pointless undersized wing.