If the Suns pick #1, who should they select?

[pokerface]

we already have the youngest team in the NBA, I dont think they are trying to add even more 19 year olds than they have to

at some point draft picks almost become a burden . Its like I got no room for this teenager

Yeah we might be at that point already. I mean what are we going to do with the second rounders we got coming? We have to start trading up I think. Package Bled up with some of this stuff.

 

[Carolinacacti]

Oh, my second round pick is Sinderius Thornwell to back up Booker.

 

[SweetD]

I think Flutz has the best overall talent now and can take over a game. In away he is very similar to Bled, but more on the Westbrook potential.

Jackson would be second and probably best fit for current team. This kid can be effective without the ball which is a huge plus and his defense is a huge need.

Ball is good and maybe even Kidd good, but remember Kidd was traded multiple times and needs to have a solid team to be successful.

I would be happy with any of them, but my hope is Jaskson is the pick at #2.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I chose Ball, but I have no real confidence in it. I would have to trust McD on this one. Whoever he chooses of the top 3 is fine with me.

I see Ball as a better defender than Fultz and at a position of more need than Jackson. I like the young prospects we have at the three in Bender, TJ, and DJJr. There is nothing wrong with getting an upgrade there in Jackson, but Ball's shooting, distributing, and defense seem to be a better mix with this team than Bledsoe's driving and D.

So, Ball over Fultz because of defense.
Ball over Jackson because Ball over Bledsoe is a bigger improvement than Jackson over the prospects of TJ and Bender.

I reserve the right to change my mind.

PS. To any local media types that might happen to read threads like this. If we draft Ball, I will immediately turn off whatever (radio, TV, etc) the moment you put his dad on.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I am completely torn on the top three. Which I guess is a good thing bc it means if we end up with one of the three I'll be excited to see him suit up next year. As long as we don't drop to 4/5.

If I'm leaning at all it's likely for Ball. But only slightly over Jackson who is only slightly over fultz. And that order is subject to change. By the minute.

 

[3rdside]

I am completely torn on the top three.

So is the board apparently - 10 - 9 - 10 for Ball - Fultz - Jackson.

It's a huge, tenure defining, situation McD faces isn't it?

Stick with Bledsoe and have someone like Jackson slot in along side him or go for a guard like Ball that will completely redefine the team.

I'm all for the latter as I just don't think Bledsoe's taking us anywhere but I've said before McD's got to be nervous about his career and we're a 'good to go' team with a vet - Bledsoe - running the show rather than reshaping around a rookie at the point.

Almost certainly I bet we take Jackson for that reason.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I like Bledsoe. I think he has performed admirably here. But I also think that the pg position is what we need to upgrade. Bledsoe is better than Booker, Chriss and TJ right now. But I do not think he is better than what they will be.

We also need defense.

 

[3rdside]

bump...fultz the least popular pick on here interestingly

 

[outcent13]

I went with Jackson if the roster stays the same...that being said I Would prefer a trade that moves Bledsoe for a solid big(no clue who might be available)and draft either of the other two options. Gotta give McD some credit he's put the team in a position to have a ton of options moving forward.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

I went with Fultz since he can create his own shot. Ball worries me because if he's played tight on defense, he won't be able to get that nasty shot off, and he'll be 1 dimensional. Jackson is boom or bust...will he develop his offense or just be a great defensive guy? Fultz you know can come in and put up 20 ppg, while also averaging somewhere around 6-7 apg. If neither Ball or Jackson pose an offensive threat to the other team...Booker will be doubled every night...can't let that happen.

 

[Mainstreet]

The player I like the most in the draft is Fox but I can see the Suns drafting Jackson if the talent is near equal.

If the Suns should get the #1 pick, I'd like for them to consider trade-down scenarios.

Fox would be my choice but I can be happy with Jackson.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think I voted Ball, but I am like 50-50 on Ball or Fultz. I would have no confidence in choosing Ball over Fultz.

 

[JS22]

I wish "trade" was on this poll. But out of the choices, Fultz. Wouldn't be happy about squeezing Ulis out if they take a PG and don't trade Bledsoe, though.

 

[pokerface]

I went with Fultz since he can create his own shot. Ball worries me because if he's played tight on defense, he won't be able to get that nasty shot off, and he'll be 1 dimensional. Jackson is boom or bust...will he develop his offense or just be a great defensive guy? Fultz you know can come in and put up 20 ppg, while also averaging somewhere around 6-7 apg. If neither Ball or Jackson pose an offensive threat to the other team...Booker will be doubled every night...can't let that happen.

What happened to Bledsoe in your equation? He's not a scorer? You want Fultz for his scoring but with Bled, Booker, (and Chriss/Bender someday) seems like scoring isn't as necessary as defense in the case of the suns.

 

[sunsfan88]

What happened to Bledsoe in your equation? He's not a scorer? You want Fultz for his scoring but with Bled, Booker, (and Chriss/Bender someday) seems like scoring isn't as necessary as defense in the case of the suns.

Bledsoe will be 28 years old after next season, he doesn't fit the Suns time frame of their young guys (Booker, Chriss, Bender, Ulis, maybe Warren).

Also has unreliable knees. He's probably our 2nd biggest trade candidate after Knight.

 

[pokerface]

Bledsoe will be 28 years old after next season, he doesn't fit the Suns time frame of their young guys (Booker, Chriss, Bender, Ulis, maybe Warren).

Also has unreliable knees. He's probably our 2nd biggest trade candidate after Knight.

Bledsoe never had major problems with his knees. Proof is he played this season with no knee problems at all.

As far as his age... I see no reason why he couldn't play at a high level for the next five years. To look beyond that is kind of pointless anyways.

 

[sunsfan88]

Bledsoe never had major problems with his knees. Proof is he played this season with no knee problems at all.

As far as his age... I see no reason why he couldn't play at a high level for the next five years. To look beyond that is kind of pointless anyways.

How is one season proof that he's never had major problems with his knees? You know he's had multiple surgeries done on his meniscus right? That would count as "major problem".

Bledsoe gets knee injuries every other season. This past season was his good year, he's gonna suffer a knee injury next season because he's due for it. And then he will be healthy the year after and then again suffer knee injury the following year.

 

[pokerface]

How is one season proof that he's never had major problems with his knees? You know he's had multiple surgeries done on his meniscus right? That would count as "major problem".

Bledsoe gets knee injuries every other season. This past season was his good year, he's gonna suffer a knee injury next season because he's due for it. And then he will be healthy the year after and then again suffer knee injury the following year.

I dunno...He just put up his best numbers of his career and played the season out. That doesn't make me gung ho for Fultz although we'd be lucky to get him.

Speaking of Fultz and luck...If he's the defacto #1 pick and we have a roughly 20% of getting number one that means there is a 80% chance we aren't getting him so some of you better lower your expectations a tad.

 

[TJ]

Ball
Jackson
Fultz


As someone who watches a ton of PAC 12 hoops, I'm mildly surprised at all of the talk of Fultz being a better prospect than Ball. Ball's length, versatility, and court vision is transcendent.

As for Jackson, he fits this team's needs more than Fultz, and we wouldn't have to get rid of Bledsoe.

 

[Hoop Head]

This draft is kind of odd, IMO, because the top tier is good but I think who ends up getting picked where depends a lot on which team holds that pick. Personally I think we should take Ball #1 if we get that pick, he's the most likely to help us long term, but if we pick #2 or #3 I'm not so sure we should take Ball if he's available, I really like both Tatum and Jackson but don't see them as great choices to go #1 overall. There is more pressure with the #1 overall pick to select a player that will deliver in the pro's and I think Ball is the best choice in that regard for Phoenix, Fultz would be like a young healthy version of Bledsoe in terms of play style so that's why I think Ball would be the better choice for Phoenix.

If the Suns have the #2 or #3 pick I believe they can choose a player based on fit despite grading slightly lower in terms of being the BPA. I just hope we don't select Fultz because of his style of play, I'm not sure he elevates the talent around him very much. I can't wait for the combine and workouts to start so we have a better way to compare the players individually rather than what they did with their coaches and teams in college.

 

[slinslin]

How is one season proof that he's never had major problems with his knees? You know he's had multiple surgeries done on his meniscus right? That would count as "major problem".

Bledsoe gets knee injuries every other season. This past season was his good year, he's gonna suffer a knee injury next season because he's due for it. And then he will be healthy the year after and then again suffer knee injury the following year.

None of those surgeries were serious and multiple is stretching it, he had one of each knee, the other was just a cleanup after the first. Each surgery was with full recovery expectation.

His meniscus are fine, they were not removed or anything.

Of course he could suffer another knee injury, just like any other NBA player could.

 

[slinslin]

Ball
Jackson
Fultz


As someone who watches a ton of PAC 12 hoops, I'm mildly surprised at all of the talk of Fultz being a better prospect than Ball. Ball's length, versatility, and court vision is transcendent.

As for Jackson, he fits this team's needs more than Fultz, and we wouldn't have to get rid of Bledsoe.

Fultz is longer than Ball and is more versatile than Ball.

 

[slinslin]

I just hope we don't select Fultz because of his style of play, I'm not sure he elevates the talent around him very much. .

Written like someone who has really no clue about the kid at all.

Fultz is not a scorer first and passer second. It is not like he can only pass because his scoring opens up that possibility. Fultz can do it all, has a great all around game like all the top PGs in the NBA do.

Fultz was already one of the best pick and roll players in all of college. Pick and Roll is a bread and butter play in the NBA that the Suns use A LOT.

Devin Booker played great alongside Eric Bledsoe who is much less of a natural assist man than Fultz.

 

[Hoop Head]

Written like someone who has really no clue about the kid at all.

Fultz is not a scorer first and passer second. It is not like he can only pass because his scoring opens up that possibility. Fultz can do it all, has a great all around game like all the top PGs in the NBA do.

Fultz was already one of the best pick and roll players in all of college. Pick and Roll is a bread and butter play in the NBA that the Suns use A LOT.

Devin Booker played great alongside Eric Bledsoe who is much less of a natural assist man than Fultz.

Ok, if Fultz can elevate the play of the players around him so much why didn't he lead his team to the NCAA tournament? How many of his teammates will be drafted this year? He could be a good pro but he's a lot like Bledsoe in his style of play. Do we want to draft someone who is at that level to play alongside our young core for the next 3-4 years and expect him to someone lead the team to better results than Bledsoe has been doing the last few years?

 

[slinslin]

Ok, if Fultz can elevate the play of the players around him so much why didn't he lead his team to the NCAA tournament? How many of his teammates will be drafted this year? He could be a good pro but he's a lot like Bledsoe in his style of play. Do we want to draft someone who is at that level to play alongside our young core for the next 3-4 years and expect him to someone lead the team to better results than Bledsoe has been doing the last few years?

Fultz is not at all like Bledsoe in his play. That is just stupid. And even if he was Bledsoe is a proven borderline allstar. To get an 18 year old much bigger version of him would be a good pick.

And the part about his teammates is ridiculous, absolute utter non-sense

David Crisp - unranked 2015, ESPN unranked, 3 star, 75 rating
Noah Dickerson - Rivals #81 2015, ESPN #52, 4 star
Mathisse Thybulle - Rivals #130 2015, ESPN unranked, 4 star
Malik Dime - unranked 2015, unranked on ESPN, unrated
Dominick Green - unranked 2015, unranked on ESPN, 72 rating
Carlos Johnson - unranked 2016, unranked on ESPN, 2 Star, 66 rating
Sam Timmins - unranked 2016, unranked on ESPN, unrated

No junior, no senior and only 1,5 rated recruits.

Ike Anigbogu - Rivals #25 2016, ESPN #60, 4 Star 84 Grade
TJ Leaf - Rivals #16 2016, ESPN 13th, 5 Star, 94 Grade
Bryce Alford - unranked 2013, ESPN 3 Star, 75 Grade
Isaac Hamilton -Rivals #14, 2013 ESPN Ranked #32, 4 Star, 89 Grade
Aaron Holiday - Rivals #60 , 2015 ESPN Ranked #88, 82 Grade
Thomas Welsh - Rivals #41 , 2014 ESPN Ranked #36, 4 Star, 88 Grade

The worst is Alford and he has been projected as a 2nd round pick in past mockdrafts by DX and nbadraft.net.

Not to mention that Alford and Hamilton were seniors, Welsh a junior. They had a ton more experience on top of being higher rated.