What player do you most hope slides to #10

[Mainstreet]

I find obi conflicting. I find myself wanting to draft him, but my intellect tells me his lack of defense and poor rebounding is a disaster.

It's just that he might be more of an offensive player starting out. I can live with a player that has skills. He can shoot and rebound. Where scouts go wrong is drafting a player strictly on upside that does not have tangible skills. IMO, Toppin is an NBA player but I think Jalen Smith might be as good.

 

[Mainstreet]

If the Suns don't get Obi Toppin, Jalen Smith would be an excellent compromise and he is two years younger.

Here is a comparison of the two players.

http://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=jalen-smith--obi-toppin

 

[Mainstreet]

Also let's compare to Obi Toppin to Onyeka Okongwu.

Except for 3-point shooting, Okongwu shines since he is over two years younger than Toppin and he is the better defender.

http://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=obi-toppin--onyeka-okongwu

 

[Chaplin]

I find obi conflicting. I find myself wanting to draft him, but my intellect tells me his lack of defense and poor rebounding is a disaster.

At #10 in THIS draft, you take what you can get.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

It's just that he might be more of an offensive player starting out. I can live with a player that has skills. He can shoot and rebound. Where scouts go wrong is drafting a player strictly on upside that does not have tangible skills. IMO, Toppin is an NBA player but I think Jalen Smith might be as good.

I thought he was a subpar rebounder.

 

[Mainstreet]

I thought he was a subpar rebounder.

Jalen Smith is the better rebounder compared to Toppin in the player comparison and as previously mentioned, he is 2 years younger.

 

[Mainstreet]

I really like the player comparison mechanism. Lets look at Onyeka Okongwu compared to Jalen Smith and they are almost the same age.

If the Suns go power forward, Jalen Smith gives the Suns a third option.

http://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=onyeka-okongwu--jalen-smith

 

[JerkFace]

I really like the player comparison mechanism. Lets look at Onyeka Okongwu compared to Jalen Smith and they are almost the same age.

If the Suns go power forward, Jalen Smith gives the Suns a third option.

http://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=onyeka-okongwu--jalen-smith

I’m a big fan of Jalen Smith, but after doing a deep dive on some scouting reports and videos on him, the main criticism is that he apparently has really bad (like super really bad) lateral movement. There is a lot of concern that he won’t be able to even remotely defend the more modern power forwards out on the perimeter. And on offense, if you over play him on the perimeter there is little chance he can drive around the more athletic power forwards in in the nba. With that being said, I think it would be worth the risk to take him in the 16-24 range if we were to trade back, but I think there are better (and safer) options at #20.

 

[Mainstreet]

I’m a big fan of Jalen Smith, but after doing a deep dive on some scouting reports and videos on him, the main criticism is that he apparently has really bad (like super really bad) lateral movement. There is a lot of concern that he won’t be able to even remotely defend the more modern power forwards out on the perimeter. And on offense, if you over play him on the perimeter there is little chance he can drive around the more athletic power forwards in in the nba. With that being said, I think it would be worth the risk to take him in the 16-24 range if we were to trade back, but I think there are better (and safer) options at #20.

I'm guessing every source views it a little bit differently,

Smith does have an issue with strength, court vision (passing) and ability to create his shot.

The video I have watched describes him as an agile athlete for his size and possessing solid lateral quickness.

I've seen questions about Toppin's lateral quickness as well.

 

[GatorAZ]

I just listened to The Empire pod on the draft and don’t know any of these guys. We have the ability to be patient I’m hoping for Halliburton with the hopes he can be the PGOTF in 2-3 years.

 

[Hoop Head]

I like polls so get use to them Of these players that are projected to go in the 4-9 range who would you most like to see slip to the Suns. I allowed two choices because otherwise I figure Toppin would run away with it.

I'd add that to the poll name or thread title so people know before casting their vote, something like (Pick 2) after what you've already written. I went back and added a 2nd choice after reading your post but a lot of people don't read everything in a thread.

 

[Hoop Head]

This is my thinking as well although we can hope. Kira Lewis Jr. might be a point guard option if the Suns trade down.

The one thing I'm most certain of in this draft is that James Jones won't be trading down in the 1st. Either he'll reach for who he wants or he'll trade out entirely. I can respect that to a certain extent and believe he's earned a bit more trust with how well the Cam pick ended up turning out.

Of course it can blow up in your face but getting your man is important and has a lot of value on it's own. I'd rather have the top guy from my draft board a couple of picks early than miss out on them entirely because I tried getting creative. Plus what good what trading down really do, get us a 2nd round pick? There should be teams selling those if there is someone we're looking at then and if there isn't, oh well. We still got Lecque to develop, who is basically a 2nd rounder right now.

 

[Phrazbit]

8 games aren’t enough to convince me that issue is solved. Negele knight had an awesome run once. Positive small sample sizes are often more dangerous than if he just sucked because if it was fools gold it can set you back instead of forcing you to continue to look forward. Hope what we saw was at least some semblance of accurate. For instance his .517 shooting percentage on 3s is wholly unsustainable. Particularly when you look at his year-to-year averages.

I'm not saying I am 100% confident that it is solved, but I think that forward is the bigger need. I KNOW we need help there, especially if Saric leaves.

 

[Mainstreet]

The one thing I'm most certain of in this draft is that James Jones won't be trading down in the 1st. Either he'll reach for who he wants or he'll trade out entirely. I can respect that to a certain extent and believe he's earned a bit more trust with how well the Cam pick ended up turning out.

Of course it can blow up in your face but getting your man is important and has a lot of value on it's own. I'd rather have the top guy from my draft board a couple of picks early than miss out on them entirely because I tried getting creative. Plus what good what trading down really do, get us a 2nd round pick? There should be teams selling those if there is someone we're looking at then and if there isn't, oh well. We still got Lecque to develop, who is basically a 2nd rounder right now.

If the Suns trade up it should be for Haliburton or Hayes. Otherwise they should have a very nice player available at number 10.

Yeah. I don't think the Suns trade down... simply looking at options.

I wish they would consider buying a pick. There are some nice players available later in first round or second round.

 

[JerkFace]

I'd add that to the poll name or thread title so people know before casting their vote, something like (Pick 2) after what you've already written. I went back and added a 2nd choice after reading your post but a lot of people don't read everything in a thread.

Unfortunately I can’t change the thread title nor the poll name... any moderators out there? I will keep that in mind for the next one though.

 

[JerkFace]

I'm guessing every source views it a little bit differently,

Smith does have an issue with strength, court vision (passing) and ability to create his shot.

The video I have watched describes him as an agile athlete for his size and possessing solid lateral quickness.

I've seen questions about Toppin's lateral quickness as well.

I definitely don’t want to come across as anti Smith since I am far from it. I was just curious why a player with all of his attributes wasn’t a consensus lottery pick. It seems that the uncertainty for him to guard the PnR as well as athletic PFs in space is what has knocked him down on some of the ‘so called experts’ boards. After what I consider to be the ‘top 9’ I still have him at #3 behind Vassell and Achiuwa, but for me, players like Bey, Williams, and Nesmith have just closed the gap some on Smith in my rankings. I’m sure I’ll change my mind a few hundreds time before the draft though... ha.

 

[Mainstreet]

I definitely don’t want to come across as anti Smith since I am far from it. I was just curious why a player with all of his attributes wasn’t a consensus lottery pick. It seems that the uncertainty for him to guard the PnR as well as athletic PFs in space is what has knocked him down on some of the ‘so called experts’ boards. After what I consider to be the ‘top 9’ I still have him at #3 behind Vassell and Achiuwa, but for me, players like Bey, Williams, and Nesmith have just closed the gap some on Smith in my rankings. I’m sure I’ll change my mind a few hundreds time before the draft though... ha.

Oh yes, I will change my mind a few hundred times as well.

Now I'm thinking I should have voted for both point guards because good ones are so hard to find.

I'm not locked onto Jalen Smith only expanding my horizon. The list is growing.

He is one of those players I would be happy with at number 10.

Did I say one of his best skills is shooting 3-pointers. LMAO

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I really like the player comparison mechanism. Lets look at Onyeka Okongwu compared to Jalen Smith and they are almost the same age.

If the Suns go power forward, Jalen Smith gives the Suns a third option.

http://www.tankathon.com/players/compare?players=onyeka-okongwu--jalen-smith

I really wish I had the chance to watch Jalen smith play this year. Stats and dimensions look good, but did he pass the eye test?

 

[Mainstreet]

I really wish I had the chance to watch Jalen smith play this year. Stats and dimensions look good, but did he pass the eye test?

The same here. There is nothing like watching a player play live. Video tape can be deceiving.

Still outside shooting, rebounding and free throw percentage are things that carry over.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I voted for Hayes and Okwungu because I think they have the best long-term upside for the Suns.

With a core of Booker, Bridges and Ayton, the biggest impact in 2-3 years would be a starting point guard to pair with Booker or a power forward to pair with Ayton.

I don't think there is a player in this draft who will be either of those things right away. Toppin and Haliburton are the closest things to it; I think they would both make an impact right away. But in 3 years, if Hayes and Haliburton both work out, I think Hayes would pay off much more. In the meantime, he's still a nice option for a third or 4th guard while he develops.

Someone mentioned in one of these threads that you need a point guard to be able to create shots for himself, create shots for others, and defend. I think Hayes has the potential to do all of those things at a high level. Will he reach his potential? Who knows. But in this draft, that's good enough for me to have him as my top target.

I think Obi Toppin would come in and make an impact right away at a position of need. However, I'd rather bank on Okungwu's potential to extend his range than Toppin's potential to become a great rebounder and rim protector down the line.

You probably couldn't play Okungwu and Ayton together much to begin with, but if you can develop Okungwu into a fit with Ayton down the line...the potential is very exciting. In the meantime, he's an excellent option to back Ayton up and provide insurance for when Ayton gets in foul trouble.

In theory, Jalen Smith could be that fit right now. But if I'm being honest, he doesn't pass the eye test for me. I think he tops out as a solid role player.

I also REALLY like Devin Vassell. Having another guy like Mikal out there at the same time as Bridges would be a lot of fun to watch!

 

[Muggz]

Could we trade that 10 pick say to Dallas for 18 and 31? (not sure how the logistics work out or even if its legal) Or if a team would even do that.

Then go for a Paul Reed at 18 then whoever is left at 31 maybe a Xavier Tillman?

That would give us 2 defensive minded 10 and 10 PF with good rebounding and steals in NBA ready bodies, that would have to compete for the spot. (goodbye Frank cya Dario take Jerome and Okbozo with you when you leave)

Im not too sure about the # 10 pick i just don't think anyone we really need will be left.

Maybe Precious?

Toppin is unlikely to fall to 10.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Could we trade that 10 pick say to Dallas for 18 and 31? (not sure how the logistics work out or even if its legal) Or if a team would even do that.

Then go for a Paul Reed at 18 then whoever is left at 31 maybe a Xavier Tillman?

That would give us 2 defensive minded 10 and 10 PF with good rebounding and steals in NBA ready bodies, that would have to compete for the spot. (goodbye Frank cya Dario take Jerome and Okbozo with you when you leave)

Im not too sure about the # 10 pick i just don't think anyone we really need will be left.

Toppin is unlikely to fall to 10 and I don't want to be sitting on the sidelines next year (or whenever we can) yelling Cmon Precious pick up your feet.

Trading down is rarely a good move in the NBA. We don’t need more players, we need the best player possible.

 

[Muggz]

Trading down is rarely a good move in the NBA. We don’t need more players, we need the best player possible.

Yeah in a normal draft i would agree for sure. But that whole Cam Johnson thing last year has got me overthinking it. Just looking for hidden gems i guess.

 

[Mainstreet]

Could we trade that 10 pick say to Dallas for 18 and 31? (not sure how the logistics work out or even if its legal) Or if a team would even do that.

Then go for a Paul Reed at 18 then whoever is left at 31 maybe a Xavier Tillman?

That would give us 2 defensive minded 10 and 10 PF with good rebounding and steals in NBA ready bodies, that would have to compete for the spot. (goodbye Frank cya Dario take Jerome and Okbozo with you when you leave)

Im not too sure about the # 10 pick i just don't think anyone we really need will be left.

Maybe Precious?

Toppin is unlikely to fall to 10.

I'd rather look for a team willing to sell a first or second round pick. There may be some.

 

[Muggz]

I'd rather look for a team willing to sell a first or second round pick. There may be some.

Good call forgot we could do that.