Suns select Devin Booker at #13

[Chaz]

Unless Goodwin shows big improvement very soon, I think his days with this team are numbered.

He has probably two years.
He would have to completely implode not to pickup the 2M team option for 16-17.

I would like to see him at point playing with Booker in the SL/preseason.

 

[Hoop Head]

Unless Goodwin shows big improvement very soon, I think his days with this team are numbered.

I think that's likely. Unfortunately I think the only thing the Suns could get is a second round pick or a 12th man. Too bad they didn't ship Goodwin off instead of Ennis last year. I can't imagine Ennis was that much of a sticking point for the Bucks.

 

[Phrazbit]

Booker is a good shooter and is actually good size for a SG. I think drafting him ensures that Green won't be back. I think it's curious how it's been reported that the Suns view him ahead of Goodwin & Bullock in the depth chart already. I can't imagine Goodwin will be happy sitting while a rookie, of all players, takes his minutes. Maybe this will push Goodwin to improve and play more consistently but it could blow up and cause more locker room problems.

I think trading their 2nd round pick for a player with 3-4 years experience in the league like Leuer was a solid move. Leuer could be a rotation player, he is basically the type of player that Tolliver was sold to the fans as last offseason. If he doesn't pan out it's no big risk but he will have more of an impact than anyone that was available at #44 would have.

I think a guy need to have a certain amount of gravity to be able to really stir the pot. Goodwin right now has no pull. If he moans too much about his role he will be banished without any ramifications to the team.

And I said it earlier, they better believe Booker is better than Goodwin or they shouldn't have picked him, because Goodwin sets a low standard.

 

[JCSunsfan]

He has probably two years.
He would have to completely implode not to pickup the 2M team option for 16-17.

I would like to see him at point playing with Booker in the SL/preseason.

I think it one year. Next summer he is good or he is gone.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Unless Goodwin shows big improvement very soon, I think his days with this team are numbered.

You have to remember, Archie isn't even 21...he needs to learn how to shoot better, but I'm nowhere near ready to give up on him.

 

[leclerc]

You can actually have more than one decent non-pg guard on the team. Seen the Warriors roster? Let Goodwin and Booker fight for pt. Suns win.

 

[Mainstreet]

I waited until today to give a grade to the Devin Booker selection because I was hoping the Suns would be able to snag a quality big man in the first round. It simply wasn't in the cards. I wanted to be more objective.

Actually the Suns may have been saved from themselves if they were going to draft Kaminsky should they have moved up to #9. I think he will have problems on offense and defense in the NBA. He is not very mobile. I give the Devin Booker selection a B+ grade based on where the Suns drafted and the fact he is only 18 years old.

 

[SweetD]

Booker reminds me of Toby Bailey, with more range. I am not as excited about this pick as others. He has small arms, small wing span and not much explosion in the game.

This pick also makes me wonder if Goodwin is ever going to pan out.

 

[BC867]

I waited until today to give a grade to the Devin Booker selection because I was hoping the Suns would be able to snag a quality big man in the first round. It simply wasn't in the cards. I wanted to be more objective.

Actually the Suns may have been saved from themselves if they were going to draft Kaminsky should they have moved up to #9. I think he will have problems on offense and defense in the NBA. He is not very mobile. I give the Devin Booker selection a B+ grade based on where the Suns drafted and the fact he is only 18 years old.

I also waited 'til today to give Devin a 'B'. Whereas first impression was BPA again, the Suns actually filled a need with a pure Shooting Guard.

His Dad Melvin (who had played 32 games in the NBA) really prepared him for this opportunity.

And, at least, the Suns were able to get a big man, by trading their 2nd round pick.

I am learning to accept that the Suns best hope is to become a little less dysfunctional with each step.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I also waited 'til today to give Devin a 'B'. Whereas first impression was BPA again, the Suns actually filled a need with a pure Shooting Guard.

His Dad Melvin (who had played 32 games in the NBA) really prepared him for this opportunity.

And, at least, the Suns were able to get a big man, by trading their 2nd round pick.

I am learning to accept that the Suns best hope is to become a little less dysfunctional with each step.

OK BC. YOu are the GM. What free agent to you go get?

 

[JCSunsfan]

So what, should we just call ourselves the Phoentucky Suns. Maybe it should be another completely new land called Suntucky.

 

[Mainstreet]

I also waited 'til today to give Devin a 'B'. Whereas first impression was BPA again, the Suns actually filled a need with a pure Shooting Guard.

His Dad Melvin (who had played 32 games in the NBA) really prepared him for this opportunity.

And, at least, the Suns were able to get a big man, by trading their 2nd round pick.

I am learning to accept that the Suns best hope is to become a little less dysfunctional with each step.

You are correct. I was hoping the Suns could take a larger step forward by selecting the right big man. I don't think Kaminsky was the right player so maybe it is a blessing in disguise. I think Kaminsky would have given the Suns a bump playing behind Len but I don't it would have been enough.

 

[Joe Mama]

So what, should we just call ourselves the Phoentucky Suns. Maybe it should be another completely new land called Suntucky.

I can't be the only one who almost started laughing when I saw our initial second-round draft pick. I had gone back to doing some work after the first round and then went back to see how the second round had gone well after the draft ended. Then I saw we had not only drafted a point guard, but a Kentucky point guard… Not only a Kentucky point guard but a twin. Harrison must have been just irresistible for the Phoenix Suns. He crossed off every item in the list (well, he's generally viewed as the stronger of the Harrison twins, so that's not quite true).

I was initially miffed that we had passed on Dakari Johnson for another guard. I think he can be a good center off the bench which is a great pickup at #44. I have to admit I'm a little excited about Leuer though. Anybody know if Alex Len is going to play in summer league?

Joe

 

[BC867]

Anybody know if Alex Len is going to play in summer league?

The latest reference is dated June 16.

The Suns' summer team is expected to feature this month's Nos. 13 and 44 draft picks and could include young returning players like Alex Len, Archie Goodwin, T.J. Warren, Reggie Bullock and Jerel McNeal and last year's second-round draft pick, Alec Brown.

With the schedule starting on July 11, we should be hearing soon.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...phoenix-suns-summer-league-schedule/28822041/

 

[JCSunsfan]

I would think the summer league would include Len, Warren, Brown, Booker. I would be surprised if Archie plays.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I can't be the only one who almost started laughing when I saw our initial second-round draft pick. I had gone back to doing some work after the first round and then went back to see how the second round had gone well after the draft ended. Then I saw we had not only drafted a point guard, but a Kentucky point guard… Not only a Kentucky point guard but a twin. Harrison must have been just irresistible for the Phoenix Suns. He crossed off every item in the list (well, he's generally viewed as the stronger of the Harrison twins, so that's not quite true).

I was initially miffed that we had passed on Dakari Johnson for another guard. I think he can be a good center off the bench which is a great pickup at #44. I have to admit I'm a little excited about Leuer though. Anybody know if Alex Len is going to play in summer league?

Joe

Yup. Kentucky, pg AND a twin. At least it wasnt the "other" twin. I like Leuer too. Looks like a great, long-term bench guy. He also shot 46% from the 3 in 2013/14.

 

[Mainstreet]

It is interesting that Dakari Johnson fell to #48. Although his stats at Kentucky were not that great, he has plenty of time to develop. There were a lot of big men in this draft. I was hoping the Suns could get another second round pick to grab another.

 

[Joe Mama]

Booker reminds me of Toby Bailey, with more range. I am not as excited about this pick as others. He has small arms, small wing span and not much explosion in the game.

This pick also makes me wonder if Goodwin is ever going to pan out.

I've got to disagree regarding him having "small arms, small wing span, and not much explosion in his game". Granted my exposure to him is limited to the tournament despite the fact I could easily go watch all of his plays. The guy he is most frequently compared to is Klay Thompson. I'm not saying he's going to be anywhere near as good as Thompson, but I mean if you look at his combine measurements and athletic testing Booker was about an inch shorter than Thompson in height/length measurements, just as heavy when he was drafted, but was a little more athletic than Thompson tested. He's also only 18 years old.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Devin-Booker-7216/
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Klay-Thompson-5490/

He isn't one of these guys with freakishly long arms. He's not super explosive… I mean nobody is going to mistake him for Andre Iguodala. He is definitely very athletic though. He had the top lane agility at the combine and he ranks in the top third or higher in all of the other measurements against other shooting guards there.

To be honest I was hoping all of the injury talk would drop WCS to us, but since none of the big men I would have liked at 13 dropped I'm kind of excited to see what Booker can do.

Joe

 

[GatorAZ]

Booker should be entering his freshman season this year.

 

[Phrazbit]

He could still grow a bit too. Kid isn't even 19 yet.

 

[sunsfan88]

Booker is in the exact situation Goodwin was age wise. Both were the youngest players in their drafts and both were 18 years old at the time of the draft after just finishing a year at Kentucky. Booker however may be more NBA ready than Goodwin was because of his shooting ability.

 

[jandaman]

The thing with Booker is that he has average wingspan, 6'6 wingspan... he has very good agility as per the test however.

Athleticism wise, he is good but not as explosive as Goodwin.

Goodwin's ability to penetrate is elite though, as in All-Star level... IF... a big IF... he could absorb the contact and get a shot up. He needs strength.

Booker's shooting is excellent... will be a pretty good catch and shoot guy. I envision him as a taller Reddick eventually. Which is vital to a team looking for a dynamic shooter.

 

[Absolute Zero]

I didn't like this pick at the time as I would prefer a PF, and don't like having to wait for an 18 year old to develop. But the more I read about this guy, the more I like him. Seems like a real solid hard working person. It may take some time, but he is going to be a great contributor.

 

[Mainstreet]

The thing I like about Booker, which could makeup for his relatively shorter arms for his size, is his compact shooting stroke with a quick release. This is huge in the NBA, to be able to get the shot off quickly with defenders closing out. Plus of course, the Suns will not have to work on his shooting mechanics so they will be able to devote more time teaching him the NBA game. Also he seems to understanding the importance to studying the opponent's game. This is so mature for any NBA athlete.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

The thing with Booker is that he has average wingspan, 6'6 wingspan... he has very good agility as per the test however.

Athleticism wise, he is good but not as explosive as Goodwin.

Goodwin's ability to penetrate is elite though, as in All-Star level... IF... a big IF... he could absorb the contact and get a shot up. He needs strength.

Booker's shooting is excellent... will be a pretty good catch and shoot guy. I envision him as a taller Reddick eventually. Which is vital to a team looking for a dynamic shooter.

Booker has a 6'8.25" wingspan and has a standing reach of 8'6.5" (Klay's standing reach is 8'7.5").