Who should the Suns target with their 2nd round picks?

[Hoop Head]

Thought I'd get a thread going like the Miami pick thread to focus on players in the 2nd round since the Suns have 3 2nd round picks this year, their own, Toronto's and Milwaukee's if it doesn't fall in the top 47. The Bucks pick was acquired in the Bledsoe trade. They don't have the Grizzlies pick anymore but their own pick is set to be #31, the Raptors pick is #58, and the Milwaukee pick is #52.

That gives them the chance to target a number of players. Having the first pick in the 2nd round is almost better than a late 1st round pick because it doesn't have the guaranteed salary tied to it but some of the same players should be available. I imagine they'll stash at least 1 Euro with their 2nd round picks because they just don't have roster space for everyone.


Here is a link to see what picks the Suns own going forward...
https://www.prosportstransactions.com/basketball/DraftTrades/Future/Suns.htm

 

[Hoop Head]

Someone I haven't seen mentioned is Jalen Brunson, the PG for Villanova. He should be available early in the 2nd round.

He's been Villanova's PG for 3 years now as a Junior and his scoring has gotten much better over the years, as has his shooting. He's currently shooting 42.7% from 3 this year to go with 19.5 ppg and 4.8 apg. He is one of four players in the last 9 seasons to have an assist rate above 30% and turnover rate below 10%. He can pass and shoot well and is an average defender collegiately. Some scouts say he lacks the athleticism to be a good defender in the NBA but since he's projected to be a 2nd round pick there are going to be some warts. He's led Villanova to the national title in 2016 and helped them stay ranked in the top 10 for the last 3 years as their starting PG. It's projected he'll be a long time backup like his dad, Rick Brunson. The Suns need depth at PG and getting someone like him to play for the next few years isn't a bad move. He's a better shooter than Ulis and at 6'2 he's not giving up the size that Ulis is either.

Of course adding a star PG like Young or Doncic would be ideal but if they can't add a star they should look at someone like Brunson with a later pick to help them off the bench. Brunson was the MVP in the FIBA Under 19 tournament in 2015, made the All Big East Freshman team in 2016, Big East First Team in 2017, was a top 5 finalist for the Cousy Award in 2017 and is in the top 10 finalists this year. They're still narrowing that down but he should make the final 5 this year as well. He's not as flashy as guys like Trae Young or Collin Sexton but I think he's someone the Suns should take a look at with their later picks. NBADraft has him going to Philly in the 2nd round at #48 but I'd be surprised if he fell that far. Since he's a Junior it's projected that he could start playing in the NBA immediately.


Here is some info on him, it also breaks down Mikal Bridges since they're the backcourt tandem that is leading Villanova this season...


http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/new...all-scouting-report/elhb2mn7r26d1nh8h1nhd8qzi


And here are some other links you can read more on him...


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalen_Brunson
&
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/jalen-brunson

 

[Chaplin]

Hopefully nobody since we'll have used them in trading up in the 1st...

 

[SirStefan32]

If we can't trade them, draft and stash some Euros.

 

[hcsilla]

Brunson as a freshman was a projected 1st round pick, then slowly slipped back into the 2nd round and returned to school year by year.

Solid player, reliable shooter and playmaker but a below average athlete. He will have a great career in Europe, IMO and has a shot of becoming an NBA player. With our very high 2nd round pick I would take someone with more upside but with MIL's or TOR's 2nd rounder we could do worse than Brunson.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

It's hard to know who will or won't be there, but two guys I like right now are Chandler Hutchison and Kevin Hervey.

 

[Carolinacacti]

Could take a chance on Trier from University of AZ

 

[JCSunsfan]

We really have no use for second round picks.

 

[Cheesebeef]

If we can't trade them, draft and stash some Euros.

Just what I was thinking.