The Suns with the 2018 #1 overall pick select....

[pokerface]

No... it doesn't move it at all. When you're talking about trading stars and potential superstars Jones is a scrap.

The only way I'd consider moving the pick is for a bonafide superstar that is locked in for 3 or 4 years. That's it. Nothing short of that even moves the needle.

Honestly, I'd rather have Ayton for 8 or 9 years. A superstar would barely get us to the playoffs..'maybe'. Then we couldn't get past GS so what is the point?

 

[Hoop Head]

Honestly, I'd rather have Ayton for 8 or 9 years. A superstar would barely get us to the playoffs..'maybe'. Then we couldn't get past GS so what is the point?

It's how young certain players are. Having a year or two to get familiar with everyone else and build chemistry before they are able to challenge. KAT is 22, Anthony Davis is 23, Giannis is 23 while Ayton is 19.

I think KAT might be worth the gamble, personally. He's young enough that it's not changing the timeline, he has playoff experience which is big, and he's eligible for an extension now that would lock him in for the next 5 years. Booker, Jackson, and Towns is a hell of a big three. KAT shoots 40% from 3, so we wouldn't need to focus on a PF to spread the floor as much as we would with Ayton. His defense isn't great but neither is Ayton's. I wouldn't hate it if the Suns made that deal. I'd like to get Jones with him, so we'd have a PG, but it wouldn't be a terrible deal by any means. I'd prefer Anthony Davis but I doubt that happens. That's why no deal should be done at this time, there is no harm in waiting and interviewing Ayton and exploring every option possible before going through with anything. We have 33 days until the draft. If they announced a deal on Monday that would be stupid.

Don't get me wrong, I'm 100% fine with drafting Ayton but if a trade is made, I'd be ok if it was for Towns. There are few stars that would be worthwhile to trade for and he's one, IMO.

 

[Phrazbit]

Also, I suspect that if Thibs is the reason for Towns supposed unhappiness, they'll fire Thibs before moving KAT.

 

[taz02]

It is surprising to me that so many think that selecting Ayton is a no-brainer.

His offensive game seems to be on track to be elite, but when I look to the Suns being in the playoffs at some point, I can see defenders like Davis, Capela, and Draymond (and whoever the next generation of mobile big guys is like JJJ and Bamba) being able to keep up with him somewhat on the inside and on the perimeter. And I only bring up this part about his offense because of the comparisons to Hakeem and Robinson...I don't remember defenders like Davis and Green going up against these guys in the 90s.

But even if Ayton can't be stopped offensively, the fact that he hasn't shown any defensive IQ, whether it's because he doesn't have any or because of Arizona's coaching/personnel situation, is concerning. His D would likely be tolerable during the regular season as the Suns progress from ~20 wins to 35-45 wins over the next few years. But this could be a huge problem in the playoffs when teams more deliberately attack him. Who does he guard when playing a team like the Warriors or Celtics in a 7-game series? Even if the perimeter guys become competent defenders, everything crumbles if Ayton can never figure out what's going on. I think Ayton has more of a chance to become unplayable during crunch time in playoff games compared to Doncic and some of the other top guys.

In the end I'm still leaning Ayton #1, but that's mostly because it's a crapshoot anyway and avoiding the fan revolt and more bad local press is important enough to give Ayton the edge.

This could be said about every player in this draft. Is Doncic going to guard Curry or Durant....

 

[francosy]

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Doncic at the age of 17 vs. NBA team. He has no. 7.

 

[TJ]

Who would Slin take?

He’d try to draft Markelle Fultz, even if he could t draft him

 

[Mainstreet]

What credibility!? He worshiped Robin Lopez and had constant arguments with tons of people here that tried to tell him he was a stiff. Then defended Beasley like there was no tomorrow.

Slin has some basketball knowledge but he obsesses with the weirdest players.

It's true but I still liked to read him to get a different perspective. He does have a lot of basketball knowledge but his conclusions are questionable.

 

[Mainstreet]

This could be said about every player in this draft. Is Doncic going to guard Curry or Durant....

It was said your position is who you defend. I guess this makes Doncic a guard?

 

[Mainstreet]

From what I've seen him post elsewhere, he seems to be bashing Doncic quite a bit. People have already questioned if the Suns picked him if he would take Bender's spot as the player he bashes constantly and sometimes for no reason. Be glad he's not here for the debates that have happened regarding Doncic.

Sidenote, he does still swear Bender is the still the worst player in the league and was the worst player in the league all of this last season. I think the Bender hate has knocked his credibility down a bit. I know he'd usually post a lot of good info around the draft but since the 2016 draft he became enamored with Chriss and views Bender like someone who has personally wronged him in his life. It's a bit much.

I must say I would enjoy the debates if he didn't insult posters.

 

[TRW]

The Suns better sprint to the microphone and give the pick as "Ayton". If McD brings a trade to Sarver OR says his pick is Doncic he should be canned on the spot.

This is a no brainer of all no brainers IMO. But, the Suns will probably pick Doncic and set themselves back for a decade.

 

[pokerface]

It's how young certain players are. Having a year or two to get familiar with everyone else and build chemistry before they are able to challenge. KAT is 22, Anthony Davis is 23, Giannis is 23 while Ayton is 19.

I think KAT might be worth the gamble, personally. He's young enough that it's not changing the timeline, he has playoff experience which is big, and he's eligible for an extension now that would lock him in for the next 5 years. Booker, Jackson, and Towns is a hell of a big three. KAT shoots 40% from 3, so we wouldn't need to focus on a PF to spread the floor as much as we would with Ayton. His defense isn't great but neither is Ayton's. I wouldn't hate it if the Suns made that deal. I'd like to get Jones with him, so we'd have a PG, but it wouldn't be a terrible deal by any means. I'd prefer Anthony Davis but I doubt that happens. That's why no deal should be done at this time, there is no harm in waiting and interviewing Ayton and exploring every option possible before going through with anything. We have 33 days until the draft. If they announced a deal on Monday that would be stupid.

Don't get me wrong, I'm 100% fine with drafting Ayton but if a trade is made, I'd be ok if it was for Towns. There are few stars that would be worthwhile to trade for and he's one, IMO.

I dont know . KAT is a stud but why would they trade him? Also, he still doesn't get us past Golden State . I'd rather have Ayton for 8 years versus KAT for 5 because that extra three years on the tail end could get us past the Warrior timeline. Plus I think Booker and JJ need more time to get better and also I'd like Chandler and BK off the books to free up more money. All this requires more time which Ayton give us plenty of. It's not just about age but contract length too.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I dont know . KAT is a stud but why would they trade him? Also, he still doesn't get us past Golden State . I'd rather have Ayton for 8 years versus KAT for 5 because that extra three years on the tail end could get us past the Warrior timeline. Plus I think Booker and JJ need more time to get better and also I'd like Chandler and BK off the books to free up more money. All this requires more time which Ayton give us plenty of. It's not just about age but contract length too.

I think Ayton has the potential to be a better player, plus there is the rookie deal aspect. You get him for 4 years for cheap. That allows you to sign other FA's etc without going way over the cap. It should not be the deciding factor, but it is a factor.

 

[pokerface]

I think Ayton has the potential to be a better player, plus there is the rookie deal aspect. You get him for 4 years for cheap. That allows you to sign other FA's etc without going way over the cap. It should not be the deciding factor, but it is a factor.

Yeah right . That rookie contract is a big bonus. Plus Aytons ceiling is very high like you are saying. Why would we be in a rush to give all that up?

I flat out don't want to trade Ayton for anyone. I love the idea of having him locked in for 8 or 9 years. Right now no player in the league can match that. Getting a star right now doesn't help the suns get rings...GS is just too tough.

 

[devilalum]

A good frame of reference for a trade would be the Kevin Love deal.

The Cavs traded #1 for Love. At the time everybody was saying Wiggins was the next Lebron. Kevin Love is a good player but I wouldn’t trade our number one for even a young Kevin Love.

On the other hand Wiggins is not the next Lebron so there’s that.


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[JCSunsfan]

A good frame of reference for a trade would be the Kevin Love deal.

The Cavs traded #1 for Love. At the time everybody was saying Wiggins was the next Lebron. Kevin Love is a good player but I wouldn’t trade our number one for even a young Kevin Love.

On the other hand Wiggins is not the next Lebron so there’s that.


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The fact that the recently aquired superstar was demanding a trade because Love fit better alongside him AND fit his timeline better ought to be figured in.

 

[devilalum]

The fact that the recently aquired superstar was demanding a trade because Love fit better alongside him AND fit his timeline better ought to be figured in.

True, but it’s the only direct example out there.


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[Muggum]

The future of the NBA is Doncic. The past is Ayton. I can't get past that basic fact.

 

[Chaplin]

The future of the NBA is Doncic. The past is Ayton. I can't get past that basic fact.

HUGE generalization.

 

[BC867]

The future of the NBA is Doncic. The past is Ayton. I can't get past that basic fact.

Isn't it true that the League is going back to Centers? Not lumbering Centers, but Centers.

The future of the NBA is a Small Forward who is a good passer? As others have posted, you are who you can guard. There is no indication that Doncic will be able to guard the League's Point Guards. If you have to slide your Shooting Guard over to cover, you are hurting yourself at two positions. That is not the kind of future that builds winners.

 

[GatorAZ]

The future of the NBA is Doncic. The past is Ayton. I can't get past that basic fact.

Just out of curiosity, and having nothing to do with Ayton, but you do know prime Olajuwon and Robinson would be wrecking this current league right? Look what Anthony Davis is doing and those guys were AD on steroids.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The future of the NBA is Doncic. The past is Ayton. I can't get past that basic fact.

you're talking about the present.

And the present is being dominated by the most talented team of all time, who have great defenders, athleticism AND size.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Just out of curiosity, and having nothing to do with Ayton, but you do know prime Olajuwon and Robinson would be wrecking this current league right? Look what Anthony Davis is doing and those guys were AD on steroids.

and Davis is doing that with almost no help whatsoever.

If Davis had a Booker/Jackson? In two years once Jackson got a little more seasoning, they'd crush people.

 

[Covert Rain]

The future of the NBA is Doncic. The past is Ayton. I can't get past that basic fact.

That is because there are no abundance of centers with those skills. The league is adjusting to the talent available coming out of college.

If there was a Robinson, Shaq, Akeem or Ewing sitting there they would be first off the board. You want proof? Ayton is the number one pick for a bunch of teams if we trade that pick.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

Isn't it true that the League is going back to Centers? Not lumbering Centers, but Centers.

The future of the NBA is a Small Forward who is a good passer? As others have posted, you are who you can guard. There is no indication that Doncic will be able to guard the League's Point Guards. If you have to slide your Shooting Guard over to cover, you are hurting yourself at two positions. That is not the kind of future that builds winners.

Exactly! You build with Jackson Booker and Ayton the spacing works and adding a PG is alot easier than adding a Center. Creating Match up problems and loading the team with all Wings sounds like a horrible plan

 

[taz02]

The future is assembling the most talented players possible and making it work no matter what position they play. The bigger the players are the better.

Back in the day everyone thought they needed a 7 footer no matter what.....think Luc Longley....just threw up a little. Instead of rolling out 5 guys that could play at a high level teams felt compelled to roll out 7 foot stiffs. No team was better at this than the Suns...

There just aren't many 7 footers that can play at a high level. When they come along you don't pass them up. Ayton is that guy. No guarantees of course but if you trade the pick or pass on him and he turns into Robinson or Olajuwon which is a real possibility it would be a catastrophic blunder. I sure wouldn't want to make that mistake.