Doug Haller, 3rd edition mock

[BleedRed]

That is a good question. If the Suns find that the market is soft for Bledsoe, would that basically force them to NOT draft a PG like Smith or Fox? Just another factor to consider with who they are drafting at #4.

I would imagine a team like Dallas or Sacramento would be willing to give up a top 10 pick for him.

 

[Matt L]

I would imagine a team like Dallas or Sacramento would be willing to give up a top 10 pick for him.

I think the Knicks might.

 

[Chaplin]

I think the Knicks might.

None of that is a guarantee though.

 

[Matt L]

None of that is a guarantee though.

We should be able to get a first or at least future first round picks for Bledsoe...I'm agreeing with the poster who says that his age does not fit in our timeline and right now is his peak value to trade.

 

[sunsfan88]

We should be able to get a first or at least future first round picks for Bledsoe...I'm agreeing with the poster who says that his age does not fit in our timeline and right now is his peak value to trade.

Yeah Bledsoe is definitely worth at least a lottery pick in any draft especially since he has 2 years remaining on his contract at good value.

I think Sacramento might trade one of theirs for him since they have the New Orleans pick too.

 

[Chaplin]

We should be able to get a first or at least future first round picks for Bledsoe...I'm agreeing with the poster who says that his age does not fit in our timeline and right now is his peak value to trade.

The problem with the NBA, or sports in general, is "should" is extremely subjective.

 

[GatorAZ]

Smith is so much more NBA ready from physicality aspect than Fox. It would be very surprising if Philly passes on him. They've already been linked to JJ Redick.

Smith
Reddick
Covington
Simmons
Embiid

Damn...

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I really doubt he's anywhere on our draft board.

WHAT?!? I don't agree with you in everything in the draft. But I typically think you're pretty level-headed. But I think this comment is just bonkers. Cmon.

 

[AzStevenCal]

WHAT?!? I don't agree with you in everything in the draft. But I typically think you're pretty level-headed. But I think this comment is just bonkers. Cmon.

Not just ours, I think he'll be off several draft boards. I'm surprised his confrontation isn't raising more eyebrows here given the societal attention currently being paid to violence towards women.

 

[WildBB]

I've heard the Sixers like Monk. It's still early though.

Who has the best range in the top 10? If they can accept his D capability/limitations, maybe it should be Tatum. Double bombers like GS.

 

[Chaplin]

Not just ours, I think he'll be off several draft boards. I'm surprised his confrontation isn't raising more eyebrows here given the societal attention currently being paid to violence towards women.

I think you give NBA teams too much moral credit here. If a player, especially one at the top of a draft, gives you a chance to win and put money in the owner's pockets, they'll do whatever it takes to get them and get them help if they need it. Naive to think that wouldn't happen, and naive to think that teams will pass on him because of this.

In a perfect world, you'd be right, but we're not in a perfect world. Far from it.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think you give NBA teams too much moral credit here. If a player, especially one at the top of a draft, gives you a chance to win and put money in the owner's pockets, they'll do whatever it takes to get them and get them help if they need it. Naive to think that wouldn't happen, and naive to think that teams will pass on him because of this.

In a perfect world, you'd be right, but we're not in a perfect world. Far from it.

Actually, I think we'd draft a serial killer if we thought it would get us a championship and if we didn't expect consequences in the media and from the public. So yeah, if nobody makes a big deal about what Jackson has done, I guess I could see us still bringing him in and even drafting him. But if there's a lull following the NBA finals don't be surprised if the headhunter media types don't turn the spotlight on Josh and if that happens, a lot of teams might pass him by.

 

[AzStevenCal]

We're about 24 days away from the draft and I still think Tatum is the likely selection for us, assuming he impresses in workouts. Failing that, I just don't see us taking any of the other names floating around for 4.

I think it's getting more and more likely that our backup plan, whether through trade or just making what will likely be called a reach, revolves around Markkanen or Collins. And given how bad our defense has been, Collins is probably the more likely pick.

 

[Mainstreet]

We're about 24 days away from the draft and I still think Tatum is the likely selection for us, assuming he impresses in workouts. Failing that, I just don't see us taking any of the other names floating around for 4.

I think it's getting more and more likely that our backup plan, whether through trade or just making what will likely be called a reach, revolves around Markkanen or Collins. And given how bad our defense has been, Collins is probably the more likely pick.

I've pretty much made by peace with Tatum although I would entertain a trade with the Magic for #6 and #25. The Suns could fix the wing and center positions or look at a PG.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I've pretty much made by peace with Tatum although I would entertain a trade with the Magic for #6 and #25. The Suns could fix the wing and center positions or look at a PG.

I'd certainly be okay with that too. I might even offer them out second 2 to make it happen, it really only has add-on value to us anyway.

 

[Cheesebeef]

We're about 24 days away from the draft and I still think Tatum is the likely selection for us, assuming he impresses in workouts. Failing that, I just don't see us taking any of the other names floating around for 4.

I think it's getting more and more likely that our backup plan, whether through trade or just making what will likely be called a reach, revolves around Markkanen or Collins. And given how bad our defense has been, Collins is probably the more likely pick.

blegh... I fear you're right on Tatum.

and that will do absolutely nothing to move the needle for this franchise. He's not going to help our D... and he's going to be a scoring 3, which we kinda already have. And it's not like he's going to bring this massive upgrade in athleticism there. We're not talking about a Ceballos to Dumas type upgrade with the Warren to Tatum upgrade, if he actually is an upgrade.

God-freaking-damn those freaking ping-pong balls.

 

[sunsfan88]

blegh... I fear you're right on Tatum.

and that will do absolutely nothing to move the needle for this franchise. He's not going to help our D... and he's going to be a scoring 3, which we kinda already have. And it's not like he's going to bring this massive upgrade in athleticism there. We're not talking about a Ceballos to Dumas type upgrade with the Warren to Tatum upgrade, if he actually is an upgrade.

God-freaking-damn those freaking ping-pong balls.

I doubt Tatum will even be a better 3pt shooter or defender than Warren either.

Suns are better off trading down or trading out for a future pick than drafting Tatum imo.

 

[Ronin]

Yeah I am hoping the Suns trade down.

 

[AzStevenCal]

blegh... I fear you're right on Tatum.

and that will do absolutely nothing to move the needle for this franchise. He's not going to help our D... and he's going to be a scoring 3, which we kinda already have. And it's not like he's going to bring this massive upgrade in athleticism there. We're not talking about a Ceballos to Dumas type upgrade with the Warren to Tatum upgrade, if he actually is an upgrade.

God-freaking-damn those freaking ping-pong balls.

One of the reasons that I've been pushing for Markkanen that I think isn't coming clear is that I just think this is a very overrated class. If it weren't for all the GM/scouting type comments hyping this, I'd have no doubts it was one of the most star-free top-of-the drafts of this century.

There is lots of depth here but I'm not convinced that any single player will star. Ball is the most likely but he's not without huge flaws. Fultz is safe as a near-star but I'm not sure he ever makes even a 3rd team All NBA.

There will be a surprise star (maybe even a couple) in this group, someone will take that next step but there's a great chance that this star won't even be taken in the lottery portion of this draft. I know it's a PG heavy class but my guess, the real star will come from one of the the lesser heralded forwards or centers in this class - someone like Zach Collins or Dillon Brooks or John Collins or Ike Anigbogu or, one of my favorites, DJ Wilson.

 

[Mainstreet]

I doubt Tatum will even be a better 3pt shooter or defender than Warren either.

Suns are better off trading down or trading out for a future pick than drafting Tatum imo.

I'm not for trading out of the draft but trading down slightly might be a good option with the right trade.

As Tatum is only 19, he is pretty polished for his age and I think he gets knocked for it. I realized this awhile back when I was having a discussion with Chris Sanders about forwards.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Actually, I think we'd draft a serial killer if we thought it would get us a championship and if we didn't expect consequences in the media and from the public. So yeah, if nobody makes a big deal about what Jackson has done, I guess I could see us still bringing him in and even drafting him. But if there's a lull following the NBA finals don't be surprised if the headhunter media types don't turn the spotlight on Josh and if that happens, a lot of teams might pass him by.

Naw. We are way outta that media cycle already. It will be brought up, but it's already been as big a deal as it's going to be unless something new unfolds. It's a data point but not a story now.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'd certainly be okay with that too. I might even offer them out second 2 to make it happen, it really only has add-on value to us anyway.

I think I would be just as happy with #6 and #25 as much as #4 (trading with the Magic) if the draft fell just right so I use a caveat here. I think there is a better chance of landing two keepers with these picks. I'd throw in a Raptors pick in the second round to get it done.

I can see Fox sliding to the Suns at #4 to make it happen. IMO, Fox has star potential but I doubt if the Suns draft him.

I want two picks in the first round so I can use one of the picks to draft a center of choice.

 

[sunsfan88]

I'm not for trading out of the draft but trading down slightly might be a good option with the right trade.

As Tatum is only 19, he is pretty polished for his age and I think he gets knocked for it. I realized this awhile back when I was having a discussion with Chris Sanders about forwards.

It's his playing style that's the problem not necessarily his actual attributes.

He was a black hole and ball stopper at Duke and that's likely to continue in the NBA.

 

[3rdside]

It's his playing style that's the problem not necessarily his actual attributes.

He was a black hole and ball stopper at Duke and that's likely to continue in the NBA.

I'm struggling to see what's wrong with Tatum other than his tendency not to pass to the open man which I'm sure (i may be wrong) can be coached out of him once he realises he not the singular star of the show.

Plus:

He's so much longer than Jackson - their wing spans may be only one and a bit inches apart but there's a 7 inch difference in standing reach.

That is enormous.

Jackson's 8'3" standing reach is the same as guys who are 6'2", meaning Kawhi Leonard, and long SF's like him, will absolutely destroy him.

Plus there's character issues which we've proven we can't handle.

I'm officially on record saying I want Tatum over Jackson.

 

[3rdside]

And one more thing - that NBADraft.net compares Jackson to Kawhi Leonard at the top of their scouting report is an insult; wingspan and length (two similar but slightly different things) is so important in the NBA and Jackson is unquestionably short vs Leonard who is unquestionably long.

They're nothing alike in other words.