PhxGametime
Formerly Bball_31
Suns notebook: Phoenix looking at big, skilled players to draft
By Mike Tulumello, Tribune
The Suns appear to have narrowed their focus to "three or four big, skilled players," for their pick at No. 17 in next Thursday's NBA draft, Suns president Bryan Colangelo said Wednesday.
At the same time, "There are two or three guards we would still consider." Colangelo indicated the Suns may have two openings on next season's roster.
One would be taken by whomever they draft at No. 17. The Suns have no second-round pick, so the other opening likely would be filled by a free agent.
Colangelo indicated the Suns are unlikely to make a trade for another draft pick.
If the Suns grab a big man in the draft, the free agent most likely would be a guard. Conversely, if the Suns go for a guard in the draft, the free agent more likely would be a big man.
The player who has generated the most buzz in connection with the Suns is Zarko Cabarkapa, a 6-foot-11 small forward from Serbia-Montenegro, who is described as a "slasher" (as opposed to a shooter).
WALTON IN TOWN
Luke Walton's stock is rising.
Probably not so high that the 6-8 forward from Arizona would be taken by the Suns, but enough that he earned at least a courtesy workout Wednesday for the Suns.
Walton's predraft routine has gone so well that, "He's played his way into the late first round," Colangelo said. "If not, there are several teams who would draft him in the second round.
"He's got a good shot at making a team."
Walton likely would play small forward in the NBA.
Toward this end, he has been honing his outside shooting. But there remain questions about whether he's quick enough to cover opposing small forwards on the floor, Suns vice president Dick Van Arsdale said.
Even so, Van Arsdale said, "Defense (also) is about knowing how far you can play off your man, playing angles . . . We're all impressed by Luke."
Also, there are questions about his durability. Walton has a history of foot and ankle problems.
"You wonder how he's going to hold up," Van Arsdale said. "You always put that into the equation."
Walton has worked out twice for the Boston Celtics, the team he grew up around as a kid when his dad — Hall of Famer Bill — was closing out his career. The Celtics draft No. 20.
Walton said his father has told him to enjoy his predraft tour of the NBA, that "not many people get this opportunity."
Indeed, said Walton, "I'm a basketball player. Anyone who calls, I'll go work out. But as far as how much they like me, I have no idea."
NOT ANOTHER AMARE
Colangelo says he has been in touch with the adviser for Ndudi Ebi, considered the nation's No. 2 high school player behind LeBron James, and has argued that the prep phenom should go to college at Arizona instead of entering the pro draft.
Ebi is projected as a first-round pick — some have forecast the Suns will take the 6-9 forward — but Colangelo said, "I don't feel that would be in the best interest of the player."
He has even told Arizona coach Lute Olson that the Suns will not draft Ebi.
The deadline for withdrawing from the draft is today.
BONUS SHOTS
Van Arsdale said Walton's teammate at Arizona, point guard Jason Gardner, has a shot to be drafted in the second round "by the right team," though he may have a tough time making an NBA team because of his 5-10 height.
Other than Walton, the in-state player with the best chance of being drafted
may be Tommy Smith of Arizona State.. . .
Also working out for the Suns on Wednesday were 6-10 forward Malick Badiane of Senegal, 6-10 forward Szymon Szewczyk of Poland and 6-9 forward Koko Archibong, who played at Penn.
Badiane, 19, has been projected as high as a late first-rounder, but Van Arsdale said, "In my opinion, he's not ready yet to make the transition to the NBA.". . .
Shawn Marion is among a host of athletes participating in a Defense Department tour of the Persian Gulf region in which the athletes meet with members of the armed services.
By Mike Tulumello, Tribune
The Suns appear to have narrowed their focus to "three or four big, skilled players," for their pick at No. 17 in next Thursday's NBA draft, Suns president Bryan Colangelo said Wednesday.
At the same time, "There are two or three guards we would still consider." Colangelo indicated the Suns may have two openings on next season's roster.
One would be taken by whomever they draft at No. 17. The Suns have no second-round pick, so the other opening likely would be filled by a free agent.
Colangelo indicated the Suns are unlikely to make a trade for another draft pick.
If the Suns grab a big man in the draft, the free agent most likely would be a guard. Conversely, if the Suns go for a guard in the draft, the free agent more likely would be a big man.
The player who has generated the most buzz in connection with the Suns is Zarko Cabarkapa, a 6-foot-11 small forward from Serbia-Montenegro, who is described as a "slasher" (as opposed to a shooter).
WALTON IN TOWN
Luke Walton's stock is rising.
Probably not so high that the 6-8 forward from Arizona would be taken by the Suns, but enough that he earned at least a courtesy workout Wednesday for the Suns.
Walton's predraft routine has gone so well that, "He's played his way into the late first round," Colangelo said. "If not, there are several teams who would draft him in the second round.
"He's got a good shot at making a team."
Walton likely would play small forward in the NBA.
Toward this end, he has been honing his outside shooting. But there remain questions about whether he's quick enough to cover opposing small forwards on the floor, Suns vice president Dick Van Arsdale said.
Even so, Van Arsdale said, "Defense (also) is about knowing how far you can play off your man, playing angles . . . We're all impressed by Luke."
Also, there are questions about his durability. Walton has a history of foot and ankle problems.
"You wonder how he's going to hold up," Van Arsdale said. "You always put that into the equation."
Walton has worked out twice for the Boston Celtics, the team he grew up around as a kid when his dad — Hall of Famer Bill — was closing out his career. The Celtics draft No. 20.
Walton said his father has told him to enjoy his predraft tour of the NBA, that "not many people get this opportunity."
Indeed, said Walton, "I'm a basketball player. Anyone who calls, I'll go work out. But as far as how much they like me, I have no idea."
NOT ANOTHER AMARE
Colangelo says he has been in touch with the adviser for Ndudi Ebi, considered the nation's No. 2 high school player behind LeBron James, and has argued that the prep phenom should go to college at Arizona instead of entering the pro draft.
Ebi is projected as a first-round pick — some have forecast the Suns will take the 6-9 forward — but Colangelo said, "I don't feel that would be in the best interest of the player."
He has even told Arizona coach Lute Olson that the Suns will not draft Ebi.
The deadline for withdrawing from the draft is today.
BONUS SHOTS
Van Arsdale said Walton's teammate at Arizona, point guard Jason Gardner, has a shot to be drafted in the second round "by the right team," though he may have a tough time making an NBA team because of his 5-10 height.
Other than Walton, the in-state player with the best chance of being drafted
may be Tommy Smith of Arizona State.. . .
Also working out for the Suns on Wednesday were 6-10 forward Malick Badiane of Senegal, 6-10 forward Szymon Szewczyk of Poland and 6-9 forward Koko Archibong, who played at Penn.
Badiane, 19, has been projected as high as a late first-rounder, but Van Arsdale said, "In my opinion, he's not ready yet to make the transition to the NBA.". . .
Shawn Marion is among a host of athletes participating in a Defense Department tour of the Persian Gulf region in which the athletes meet with members of the armed services.
