With the 4th pick, the Phoenix Suns Select

[Mainstreet]

Id love to know how you figure that the consensus is drafting a bist at 13.

The consensus of this board would have given us Kaminsky probably.

I don't remember anyone wanting the Suns to draft Kaminsky however I could be wrong about this.

If my recollection is correct, I wanted the Suns to draft Bobby Portis. I'm glad the Suns drafted Devin Booker instead but I still have interest in Portis.

Trey Lyles and Myles Turner were off the board when the Suns picked.

 

[3rdside]

..

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't remember anyone wanting the Suns to draft Kaminsky however I could be wrong about this.

If my recollection is correct, I wanted the Suns to draft Bobby Portis. I'm glad the Suns drafted Devin Booker instead but I still have interest in Portis.

Trey Lyles and Myles Turner were off the board when the Suns picked.

I was hoping for Turner all year long until all the talk about his leg problems so I started hoping for my number 2 pick which was Portis. Portis looks to be about what I thought he'd be, Turner looks even better than I had expected but Booker is a special find IMO. He's the type of person that you can build your franchise around as a personality and he looks to have the on-court game to match. I had no interest in Lyles but he'd have been a nice pick too.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Although he wouldn't have been my first choice, I'd have been fine with it had we chosen Kaminsky. I thought he'd be a pretty good pick and still think he'll have a decent career.

 

[Errntknght]

I don't see how Bender gets consideration at #4 but Labisierre doesn't. I just watched Kentucky vs LSU and Skal looked as good or better than Simmons. In fact they move around the floor in a similar fashion, smooth and under control. Simmons is the better playmaker but Skal shoots much better midrange and further. Fairly fast shot and he doesn't fumble the ball around or hesitate for any other reason either - he turns and shoots.

In this game he was a better rim protector, too - and doesn't swat the ball into bleachers. He's agile enough and has pretty good hops, good hands... I think he'll be a pretty good defender all around - I had trouble following him on defense on a little youtube video but LSU wasn't scoring much from in the paint so someone was doing a good job.

I wouldn't have any problem taking him with the fourth pick - it would be reach from the POV of the mocks but I'll bet he goes before #13, so who cares if he is a reach. Heck, it's sounding like almost everyone is a reach at #4. On our team I think he steps right in and starts at PF. I'd bet that he can shoot the NBA three soon if not already - his shot mechanics look good. If he has some frailty I don't know about that might change my thoughts - he looks physically sound.

 

[Covert Rain]

I don't see how Bender gets consideration at #4 but Labisierre doesn't. I just watched Kentucky vs LSU and Skal looked as good or better than Simmons. In fact they move around the floor in a similar fashion, smooth and under control. Simmons is the better playmaker but Skal shoots much better midrange and further. Fairly fast shot and he doesn't fumble the ball around or hesitate for any other reason either - he turns and shoots.

In this game he was a better rim protector, too - and doesn't swat the ball into bleachers. He's agile enough and has pretty good hops, good hands... I think he'll be a pretty good defender all around - I had trouble following him on defense on a little youtube video but LSU wasn't scoring much from in the paint so someone was doing a good job.

I wouldn't have any problem taking him with the fourth pick - it would be reach from the POV of the mocks but I'll bet he goes before #13, so who cares if he is a reach. Heck, it's sounding like almost everyone is a reach at #4. On our team I think he steps right in and starts at PF. I'd bet that he can shoot the NBA three soon if not already - his shot mechanics look good. If he has some frailty I don't know about that might change my thoughts - he looks physically sound.

Just about every mock draft has the Suns taking Bender at #4. I simply am not high on this guy at all. I guess that's why I am not an expert but I just don't see what every else does in this guy. He doesn't excite me at all at #4. If it wasn't for the fact everyone knows the Suns need a PF, I am not so sure this wouldn't be viewed as a reach otherwise.

I think the Suns might surprise folks. PF is a glaring need but they have said they won't draft based on need but best player available. Bender strikes me is a need pick.

 

[Chaplin]

http://www.si.com/nba/video/2016/06/15/who-is-dragan-bender-si-films?xid=si_social

 

[leclerc]

Nice find, Chaplin. Good stuff. Hope his age and him not being ready straight away won't count against him. Better to get a special/core player in three years than some solid rotation player. We need stars and we have a chance to get them in the draft. Besides, if we miss the playoffs again we can get another lotto pick next summer in a stronger draft.

 

[Covert Rain]

http://www.si.com/nba/video/2016/06/15/who-is-dragan-bender-si-films?xid=si_social

Great touchy feely piece but it didn't change my view on him one bit. I never doubted his drive or his attitude towards the game. All this really did is give me a feel more for the person. In terms of the basketball player it didn't show me anything new.

 

[slinslin]

Nice little documentation about Bender.
I still think Bender is overrated and dont really like the odds of him turning into a true PF.

I prefer Chriss. But at this point I can live with #4 coming down to Chriss or Bender.

#13/28 are more interesting picks somehow.

 

[AsUdUdE]

Hey fellas!

Been a while since last posted, but a lot of excitement around this draft..

Bright side had an article showing further evidence that Philli is desperately trying to acquire another top 6 pick to be in position to take Kris Dunn.

The problem, reports have said no team in the top 6 has been willing to give up their pick for Okafor straight up.

The Suns seem like a natural trade partner with the Sixers, but if they are hesitant to give up the #4 pick straight up, what are some other scenarios that would work.

Here is a three team trade that might work for all three.

Suns Trade:
Brandon Knight
TJ Warren
#4
#13

Suns Receive:
Jahil Okafor
#6

Sixers Trade:
Jahil Okafor

Sixers Receive:
#4

Pelicans Trade:
#6

Pelicans Receive:
Brandon Knight
#13
TJ Warren

Why the Suns do it?
-They cash in their draft assets while still staying in the top 10. At #6 the Suns will have the option to grab one of the top 3 guards remaining, or their choice of Brown/Bender/Chriss. Loss of TJ Warren leaves hole at the wing position, but the reality was Warren and Booker were never going to be a great option together as building blocks of the future.

Why the Sixers do it?
-They have been trying for over 3 weeks now to acquire a top 6 pick straight up for Okafor and have been unsuccessful. this allows them to secure Dunn and let him grow with the rest of their young roster.

Why the Pelicans do it?
-With Eric Gordon being an unrestricted free agent and potentially half way out of the door, this allows New Orleans (not the premier free agent destination) to get a like-minded player whose under a reasonable contract for 4 more years. Likewise with the hole that Ryan Anderson may be leaving, they can use the #13 to select between Henry Ellenson, Sabonis, or fast rising Ante Zizic. TJ Warren also gives them options to fill holes at the wing position.

Thoughts?

 

[slinslin]

Meh I am high on Warren.

Without Warren I would probably do it on the condition that Chriss would make it to #6.

And since Philly can't find anyone willing to take Okafor for a top 6 pick why should they get #4 for him in this deal?

Either way I think the Pelicans get too much. Knight, Warren and #13 for #6? Seems like a gross gross overpay.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Hey fellas!

Been a while since last posted, but a lot of excitement around this draft..

Bright side had an article showing further evidence that Philli is desperately trying to acquire another top 6 pick to be in position to take Kris Dunn.

The problem, reports have said no team in the top 6 has been willing to give up their pick for Okafor straight up.

The Suns seem like a natural trade partner with the Sixers, but if they are hesitant to give up the #4 pick straight up, what are some other scenarios that would work.

I'm not exaggerating, I wouldn't trade our 2nd rounder for Okafor. He's going to put up big numbers, he's going to earn a big contract and he's going to hurt the team he's playing for. In today's game you can't afford to pair your big man with another space eater so your space eating big man has to be able to defend in the paint and protect the rim. Okafor can't or at least, chooses not to.

 

[GatorAZ]

If Okafor were coming out of Duke this year he'd be going #2 at worst. We have a chance to steal value of it would only take #4. Philly "loves" Dunn according to Jon Rothstein.

 

[AsUdUdE]

Meh I am high on Warren.

Without Warren I would probably do it on the condition that Chriss would make it to #6.

And since Philly can't find anyone willing to take Okafor for a top 6 pick why should they get #4 for him in this deal?

Either way I think the Pelicans get too much. Knight, Warren and #13 for #6? Seems like a gross gross overpay.

Two ways to look at it...

You may like Warren, but defensively unless one of them get better on defense overnight, long term it is hard to see those two being the building blocks of your future without defense.

The other way in a vacuum, you are right, Warren has some potential and is a good player, but this move in particular acquiring an offensive PF who plays very little defense, the thought of playing Booker/Warren/Okafor in the same lineup the suns would need to score 120 a game to compete....

In any case, IF the Suns are interested in acquiring Okafor I think Warren is the piece that would have to go, and this might be a way of staying in the top 6 and getting a high upside player like Chriss or Heild while still filling the gaping hole we have at 4..

 

[AzStevenCal]

If Okafor were coming out of Duke this year he'd be going #2 at worst. We have a chance to steal value of it would only take #4. Philly "loves" Dunn according to Jon Rothstein.

He'd probably go number 1 but I still wouldn't want him. Old habits die hard, the thinking is how can you pass on a big man capable of getting the kind of numbers Okafor can get you? But he clogs the middle without defending the middle, that's a killer in today's game and it's the reason he's available IMO. If he was older, on a sane contract and willing to play spot minutes like Bogut does, he'd be a great role player for the right team. But the team that builds around him, like the team that builds around Greg Monroe, will continue to disappoint.

 

[AsUdUdE]

He'd probably go number 1 but I still wouldn't want him. Old habits die hard, the thinking is how can you pass on a big man capable of getting the kind of numbers Okafor can get you? But he clogs the middle without defending the middle, that's a killer in today's game and it's the reason he's available IMO. If he was older, on a sane contract and willing to play spot minutes like Bogut does, he'd be a great role player for the right team. But the team that builds around him, like the team that builds around Greg Monroe, will continue to disappoint.

You make a great point, and I should preface this by saying I am not even sure I would do this trade, but the general idea would be if you have a foundation of Booker/Okafor, you would need to surround them with defensive stretch guys. Thats why I would LOVE to see the Suns pair Bender with Okafor... I think Bender is quick enough to guard the screen and rolls, fast enough in transition and not clog the middle while Okafor can be low and hit any of the other 4 players slashing or spotting up for threes.

 

[GatorAZ]

He'd probably go number 1 but I still wouldn't want him. Old habits die hard, the thinking is how can you pass on a big man capable of getting the kind of numbers Okafor can get you? But he clogs the middle without defending the middle, that's a killer in today's game and it's the reason he's available IMO. If he was older, on a sane contract and willing to play spot minutes like Bogut does, he'd be a great role player for the right team. But the team that builds around him, like the team that builds around Greg Monroe, will continue to disappoint.

He doesn't clog the laneoffensively. Okafor is an athletic marvel for being 7 ft 270 lbs. Philly was just a mess.

His defensive metrics were identical to Anthony-Towns over the 2nd half of the season so he showed improvement. I like the idea of two immensely talented 19-20 year olds under contract for the next decade.

 

[AzStevenCal]

He doesn't clog the laneoffensively. Okafor is an athletic marvel for being 7 ft 270 lbs. Philly was just a mess.

His defensive metrics were identical to Anthony-Towns over the 2nd half of the season so he showed improvement. I like the idea of two immensely talented 19-20 year olds under contract for the next decade.

Okay so maybe I'm putting too much credence in the narrative making the rounds but then explain why they are so anxiously shopping him? And apparently failing I might add. I know he's had some off court issues but they weren't that extreme and it wouldn't explain why a lot of fans are also looking to see him traded?

I certainly agree with the idea that it would be great to have 2 talented young ones in house for the next decade.

 

[elindholm]

Given that Bender is soft, white, and doesn't play defense, I'll be amazed if the Suns don't pick him.

 

[Sunburn]

I think Okafor is more talented than anyone we can get with the 4 in this draft. I do this trade in a heartbeat. If you go to the 76'ers forums, those supporting an Okafor trade believe there is need to convert one of their bigs into a small, and Okafor will return the greatest value. They don't want to just get rid of him. Quite the contrary. It's pretty much unanimous over there that he is the more talented player.

http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=1452779#start_here

 

[Cheesebeef]

Given that Bender is soft, white, and doesn't play defense, I'll be amazed if the Suns don't pick him.

seconded.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Most of what we've seen of Bender is him as a 17 year old playing against men. I think the soft label is way premature. He's the youngest player in this draft with very little court time available for review, hard to call him anything IMO.

 

[Covert Rain]

Given that Bender is soft, white, and doesn't play defense, I'll be amazed if the Suns don't pick him.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I tend to agree that it's likely too early to call bender anything. That said, he's not unatgketic from watching what little tape is available. At 17-18 he's likely still growing into his body and he moves very well for a 7 footer.

They seem to indicate Toni kukoc comparisons in vids rather than porzingas. I don't see porzingas. I see some kukoc but he's not as natural a Ballhandler. That said if he even approximates kukoc he's a great asset.

I think I'm coming around on bender (which means Celtics will draft him).