Now its about #16, 31, and 59

[JCSunsfan]

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[Hoop Head]

That is an insane stat for Trae Young, 14 of 19 on uncontested 3's. I hope we can trade up for him.


If we can't land Shai, move up for Young or a different top prospect then I think our best hope of landing a starting quality PG or potential PG of the future is to trade the pick. I'm not that sold on Shai but I also don't think he'll be there at #16 either. I think he'll be a good PG but I'm not sure if he's ready to start right away. He's moved up a lot of mock's recently so maybe he's shown more to teams who have worked him out, but I trust those who like the idea of landing him for the Suns. Most of that talk was before the combine though when it looked like he may just be available at #16. I have a question for those who like Shai, what would you be ok parting with to get him? The #31st and #59th picks to move up for him are a no brainer, I think, but am I right in thinking that? How about parting with the Bucks pick plus #16? In that scenario we'd #31. I don't think anyone cares enough about #59 to let that kill a deal so that's just whatever.

As far as trades go, I'd gladly trade #16, #31, and #59 for these players, Tyus Jones is #1 on my wish list, with Spencer Dinwiddie at #2 and Terry Rozier is #3. All 3 of those guys could be PG of the Future for the Suns and starters on day 1. I know most of their contracts only have 1 more year on them, which is fine by me. They'd be restricted so we could match. It'd be like having them for a full years "audition" before we open our checkbook to pay one of them in 2019. I'd rather know what we'd be getting. If it doesn't work, so be it. I'd rather be sure of what they are than end up paying another Marcus Banks a sizable contract that could hurt our ability to move them if it doesn't work out. Banks looked decent before coming to Phoenix but he forgot to pack his talent when he moved out here and I don't want to see a worthless PG stuck on our team because of their contract beyond Knight for the next 2 years.

 

[Phrazbit]

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Holy hell...

I don't know if he will be a star, but that convinces me even more that he has the highest floor in the draft. Elite passing and shooting.

Getting him and Ayton is my dream, but I can't see Orlando letting him slip beyond them or giving up the pick.

 

[sunsfan88]

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I think it will be really disappointing if Holliday is the pick.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Holy hell...

I don't know if he will be a star, but that convinces me even more that he has the highest floor in the draft. Elite passing and shooting.

Getting him and Ayton is my dream, but I can't see Orlando letting him slip beyond them or giving up the pick.

It's not the uncontested threes that are remarkable as much as how well he shot as a 6-2 short armed player with almost every shot contested. It's that incredibly quick release.

 

[AzStevenCal]

As far as trades go, I'd gladly trade #16, #31, and #59 for these players, Tyus Jones is #1 on my wish list, with Spencer Dinwiddie at #2 and Terry Rozier is #3. All 3 of those guys could be PG of the Future for the Suns and starters on day 1.

I'm not at all convinced that any one of those three will please us as our point guard of the future. I think the 16 pick alone is an overpay for any of them. I know I'm in the minority on this but I'd take a motivated and well coached Elfrid over any of them. And to me, Payton's ceiling is no better than average starter.

Right now I'd say there's probably no more than 15 franchises that are happy with their starting point guard. The rest of the NBA is settling for the Dinwiddie's of the league until they can find someone that can make them one of the happy teams. I don't dislike any of the 3, I just think they fall short of quality starter (well below Eric Bledsoe for example).

 

[Hoop Head]

I'm not at all convinced that any one of those three will please us as our point guard of the future. I think the 16 pick alone is an overpay for any of them. I know I'm in the minority on this but I'd take a motivated and well coached Elfrid over any of them. And to me, Payton's ceiling is no better than average starter.

Right now I'd say there's probably no more than 15 franchises that are happy with their starting point guard. The rest of the NBA is settling for the Dinwiddie's of the league until they can find someone that can make them one of the happy teams. I don't dislike any of the 3, I just think they fall short of quality starter (well below Eric Bledsoe for example).

All 3 are better outside shooters than Payton, which could keep the offense from doubling guys or packing the paint. Both Tyus and Dinwiddie have great Assist to Turnover ratios and are more of a threat than Payton to score. Payton might be the better rebounder, based on what he showed when he arrived here in Phoenix but I think our terrible rebounding PF's helped contribute to him being able to pad his rebounding stats. Rozier and Jones are better defenders than Payton also. We'll see but I'd be surprised if one of the 3 isn't a high quality PG in 2-3 years somewhere. At least at an Eric Bledsoe level of being a borderline All-Star. All 3 have loads of potential.

There is 1 other PG i'd consider for the pick and that would be Kris Dunn but I really don't see Chicago parting ways with him. I suspect he'd raise his shooting percentage if he was sharing the court with Booker, Jackson, Warren, and Ayton. He averaged 13.4 & 6.0 last year but he did also average 2.9 turnovers a game, which isn't great.

We won't find a PG who doesn't have warts this offseason unless we're willing to give up serious assets. There won't be a lot of franchise type PG's available, like Kemba, Bledsoe, etc. So we'll need to find someone with potential that the Suns front office believes could become a starting PG when given the opportunity. The best place to find those players is on teams with relatively young franchise PG's so they'd be willing to move the backups on their bench.

 

[Phrazbit]

Without question, if Doncic or Young are at a slot where if a team is willing to deal their pick away, I'd send off #16, #31, the Bucks pick, our pick next year top 5 protected, probably give said team an option to swap picks a year later (where they get the better of ours and theirs in 2020) and that team's pick of Chriss and Bender... maybe throw in Warren too if they have a useful veteran to toss back, if we could move up to nab one of those players.

IMO, they're the most fail safe players in the draft. I just don't see how either of them are not somewhere between above average to great. Playmaking and shooting are the most valued skills in the modern NBA, IMO, Young will be a phenom in both stats... but is, more than anyone project in the top 10, a lock to be a liability on D. Doncic is a beast playmaker, shows signs of being a potentially good shooter and, I think, will be a solid defender. IMO, defense is about competitiveness, instinct, hustle and athleticism, Doncic has the first 3 parts in oodles. You don't have to be an elite athlete to be a good defender. PJ Tucker is a very limited athlete and an elite defender... Barbosa and Goodwin were both superb athletes, with elite measurables... and pathetic on D.

In short, Young has less question marks in my mind, but partly because he will be unquestionably bad on defense. Doncic will be a really good passer, I think he will evolve into a good shooter... and I think he will be a solid defender.

I'd love to get either player (via trading up), because we desperately need a playmaker.

And... I'm still taking Ayton #1, because I know he will be a freaking monster on offense, a monster on the boards, likely an elite playmaker for a big and, I think, he will be a solid defender with proper coaching and scheme.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I haven't been a big Lonnie Walker fan, but I found this article to be a good read:

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/6/19/17477536/lonnie-walker-iv-draft-feature

Also, a couple guys who I haven't seen linked to the Suns much but whom I find interesting (particularly if they fail to 31, which is possible):

Keita Bates-Diop is 6'8 with a 7'3+ wingspan! He is older and may benefit from being less of a focus on offense. I love the way he blocks mid-range shots.

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Omari Spellman was sometimes the forgotten man at Villanova, but he's big with a good wingspan, surprisingly mobile, and actually ended up shooting the 2nd best 3 point percentage on Villanova last year, essentially tied with Mikal Bridges (43.3% vs. 43.5%).

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[Krangodnzr]

Without question, if Doncic or Young are at a slot where if a team is willing to deal their pick away, I'd send off #16, #31, the Bucks pick, our pick next year top 5 protected, probably give said team an option to swap picks a year later (where they get the better of ours and theirs in 2020) and that team's pick of Chriss and Bender... maybe throw in Warren too if they have a useful veteran to toss back, if we could move up to nab one of those players.

IMO, they're the most fail safe players in the draft. I just don't see how either of them are not somewhere between above average to great. Playmaking and shooting are the most valued skills in the modern NBA, IMO, Young will be a phenom in both stats... but is, more than anyone project in the top 10, a lock to be a liability on D. Doncic is a beast playmaker, shows signs of being a potentially good shooter and, I think, will be a solid defender. IMO, defense is about competitiveness, instinct, hustle and athleticism, Doncic has the first 3 parts in oodles. You don't have to be an elite athlete to be a good defender. PJ Tucker is a very limited athlete and an elite defender... Barbosa and Goodwin were both superb athletes, with elite measurables... and pathetic on D.

In short, Young has less question marks in my mind, but partly because he will be unquestionably bad on defense. Doncic will be a really good passer, I think he will evolve into a good shooter... and I think he will be a solid defender.

I'd love to get either player (via trading up), because we desperately need a playmaker.

And... I'm still taking Ayton #1, because I know he will be a freaking monster on offense, a monster on the boards, likely an elite playmaker for a big and, I think, he will be a solid defender with proper coaching and scheme.

Agree 100%. If I'm the Suns, I spend everything I got almost to trade up for Doncic OR Young, but the potential upside of Ayton is just too great to ignore.

A foursome of Doncic/Young, Booker, Jackson, and Ayton will be a juggernaut in the next three years. All of that draft capital is worth expending to get the team to that level.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23831582/nba-draft-trae-young-wants-do-never-done

 

[JCSunsfan]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23831582/nba-draft-trae-young-wants-do-never-done

That article worries me some. Kids this age try to change their bodies too fast and it can negatively impact the most important parts of his game. He would do better to make gradual changes.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

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I wouldn't be shocked if Jerome Robinson is one of the Suns' targets...

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I'm not at all convinced that any one of those three will please us as our point guard of the future. I think the 16 pick alone is an overpay for any of them. I know I'm in the minority on this but I'd take a motivated and well coached Elfrid over any of them. And to me, Payton's ceiling is no better than average starter.

Right now I'd say there's probably no more than 15 franchises that are happy with their starting point guard. The rest of the NBA is settling for the Dinwiddie's of the league until they can find someone that can make them one of the happy teams. I don't dislike any of the 3, I just think they fall short of quality starter (well below Eric Bledsoe for example).

I endorse these comments.

 

[Mainstreet]

If you look at the odds...the chances of finding a better player than Tyus Jones at 16 are not that high. Tyus Jones is a solid NBA point guard who is likely better than almost every PG in the draft. I wouldn't be shocked if he was better than any PG in this draft except Doncic and Young, and it wouldn't even be a stretch if he was better than all but one.

Jones is still very young, but he has enough experience that he could step right in and be a solid contributor.

I think #16 is likely to be more valuable than Jones.

I like Jones but his stats do not blow me away. Trading #16, 31 and 59 for him is overkill. His stats are not that good.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jonesty01.html

 

[overseascardfan]

I haven't been a big Lonnie Walker fan, but I found this article to be a good read:

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/6/19/17477536/lonnie-walker-iv-draft-feature

Also, a couple guys who I haven't seen linked to the Suns much but whom I find interesting (particularly if they fail to 31, which is possible):

Keita Bates-Diop is 6'8 with a 7'3+ wingspan! He is older and may benefit from being less of a focus on offense. I love the way he blocks mid-range shots.

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Omari Spellman was sometimes the forgotten man at Villanova, but he's big with a good wingspan, surprisingly mobile, and actually ended up shooting the 2nd best 3 point percentage on Villanova last year, essentially tied with Mikal Bridges (43.3% vs. 43.5%).

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I like Spellman a lot. He’s mobile, can shoot plus he plays defense. Depending on what PHX does after #1, if we by chance a have a new PG and we still have #16, I think Spellman comes in ahead of Bender & Chriss in terms of development because of his time at VILL.

 

[Mainstreet]

I like Spellman a lot. He’s mobile, can shoot plus he plays defense. Depending on what PHX does after #1, if we by chance a have a new PG and we still have #16, I think Spellman comes in ahead of Bender & Chriss in terms of development because of his time at VILL.

It makes some sense drafting a power forward man if the Suns trade Chriss or Bender.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I think #16 is likely to be more valuable than Jones.

I like Jones but his stats do not blow me away. Trading #16, 31 and 59 for him is overkill. His stats are not that good.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jonesty01.html

Like I said, the chances that #16 is a better player at a huge position of need is low. Sometimes with the draft new and shiny outweighs the proven player in our minds, but the Suns could do much worse than acquiring Jones.

 

[slinslin]

I'm not at all convinced that any one of those three will please us as our point guard of the future. I think the 16 pick alone is an overpay for any of them. I know I'm in the minority on this but I'd take a motivated and well coached Elfrid over any of them. And to me, Payton's ceiling is no better than average starter.

Right now I'd say there's probably no more than 15 franchises that are happy with their starting point guard. The rest of the NBA is settling for the Dinwiddie's of the league until they can find someone that can make them one of the happy teams. I don't dislike any of the 3, I just think they fall short of quality starter (well below Eric Bledsoe for example).

Trading the #16 pick for any of those marginal PGs would be a huge blunder.

Lonnie Walker would be a homerun pick at 16. I don't like his hair but he is a do it all guard who has good base skills. I have a hard time pointing at one thing with him that is going to be a weakness. He can be great all-around, he has an all-around skillset, a good body and great athleticism.

Zhaire would be a consolation, a bit better defender but lacks perimeter skills.

Trading up for Trae Young should be their priority as Woj, Givony etc make it seem like there is a realistic chance that Young could drop even outside of the top 10.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Trading up for Trae Young should be their priority as Woj, Givony etc make it seem like there is a realistic chance that Young could drop even outside of the top 10.

Welcome back! Good to have your thoughts just in time for the draft.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Trading the #16 pick for any of those marginal PGs would be a huge blunder.

Lonnie Walker would be a homerun pick at 16. I don't like his hair but he is a do it all guard who has good base skills. I have a hard time pointing at one thing with him that is going to be a weakness. He can be great all-around, he has an all-around skillset, a good body and great athleticism.

Zhaire would be a consolation, a bit better defender but lacks perimeter skills.

Trading up for Trae Young should be their priority as Woj, Givony etc make it seem like there is a realistic chance that Young could drop even outside of the top 10.

I'm not sold on Walker but I agree with everything else here. I've been pushing for a Trae Young trade-up for months now. I doubt it happens but with all the nit-picking going on about his game, it's looking like there might be an outside chance at it.

 

[slinslin]

If we are not getting Young I will be happy with getting Ayton at 1, Lonnie Walker or Miles Bridges at 16 and Duval at 31.

If you remember I had Jayson Tatum at #2 last year and was as high if not higher on Bridges than Jackson. Suns could really use the positional versatility of Bridges as a 3/4.

Duval in my opinion can be the steal of the draft. If he had shown even just an ok jumpshot we would be arguing if he is the best guard in the class. He was a consensus top 7 or so highschool recruit, has good size and length, has a really good handle, very good athleticism and is a very good passer. Reminds me of a more athletic Rajon Rondo and I could not ask for more than that at 31.

 

[Mainstreet]

Trading the #16 pick for any of those marginal PGs would be a huge blunder.

Lonnie Walker would be a homerun pick at 16. I don't like his hair but he is a do it all guard who has good base skills. I have a hard time pointing at one thing with him that is going to be a weakness. He can be great all-around, he has an all-around skillset, a good body and great athleticism.

Zhaire would be a consolation, a bit better defender but lacks perimeter skills.

Trading up for Trae Young should be their priority as Woj, Givony etc make it seem like there is a realistic chance that Young could drop even outside of the top 10.

I also want to welcome you back Slinslin.

Walker and Zhaire would be good selections at #16 if the Suns do not go point guard at this slot.

Any thoughts about #31. IMO, the Suns do need to address point guard somewhere in the draft.

Edit: I guess you just addressed #31.

 

[slinslin]

I am not even sure why everyone thinks we must add a PG.

We are getting Knight back and unless we are making a huge play for Aaron Gordon or so we probably will get Payton back for the qualifying offer while also having Ulis and Harrison.

Unless we get Trae Young all other PGs we would draft would be 3rd stringers next year. Even Young would be a backup for Knight or Payton.

Not a fan of Knight and Payton by any means but Payton that is a huge upgrade over what we had last year. We have not really seen Payton yet since we were blatantly tanking ever since Bender was inserted into the starting lineup.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am not even sure why everyone thinks we must add a PG.

We are getting Knight back and unless we are making a huge play for Aaron Gordon or so we probably will get Payton back for the qualifying offer while also having Ulis and Harrison.

Unless we get Trae Young all other PGs we would draft would be 3rd stringers next year. Even Young would be a backup for Knight or Payton.

Not a fan of Knight and Payton by any means but Payton that is a huge upgrade over what we had last year. We have not really seen Payton yet since we were blatantly tanking ever since Bender was inserted into the starting lineup.

I'd like to develop a PG behind a veteran. Although Payton was a huge improvement over what the Suns had at PG, I don't think he is the long term answer. I don't count on Knight as a PG.