Zion or Ja and future Picks?

[jskinny35]

First time poster and long-time Suns fan (since 78) - wondering if fans here think the Suns should try to accumulate more talent if they land the #1 pick? Realize Zion is going to be really good/maybe great - but they have Ayton for power and the paint already. Suns clearly need a PG that passes and will get the ball out of Booker's hands some of the time.

Ex - If Knicks land pick #2 I could see them easily parting with future #1 picks and selecting/trading Ja to Suns for Zion. Maybe even land one of their young low-cost guys as well (eg Frank Nitilikina, Alonzo Trier).

 

[AzStevenCal]

First time poster and long-time Suns fan (since 78) - wondering if fans here think the Suns should try to accumulate more talent if they land the #1 pick? Realize Zion is going to be really good/maybe great - but they have Ayton for power and the paint already. Suns clearly need a PG that passes and will get the ball out of Booker's hands some of the time.

Ex - If Knicks land pick #2 I could see them easily parting with future #1 picks and selecting/trading Ja to Suns for Zion. Maybe even land one of their young low-cost guys as well (eg Frank Nitilikina, Alonzo Trier).

I don't think I'd take that gamble. Maybe if the team that gets Morant also has a talented power forward but I don't think I'd move Zion to NY for their entire roster. And the last thing we need right now is more draft picks in the future. But if we could somehow get a top 10 point guard and a top 10 power forward, it would be worth thinking about.

And welcome to the board.

 

[Hoop Head]

First time poster and long-time Suns fan (since 78) - wondering if fans here think the Suns should try to accumulate more talent if they land the #1 pick? Realize Zion is going to be really good/maybe great - but they have Ayton for power and the paint already. Suns clearly need a PG that passes and will get the ball out of Booker's hands some of the time.

Ex - If Knicks land pick #2 I could see them easily parting with future #1 picks and selecting/trading Ja to Suns for Zion. Maybe even land one of their young low-cost guys as well (eg Frank Nitilikina, Alonzo Trier).

No way would I be ok being the team that traded Zion. I can see Ja being a solid pro but Zion could very well be this generations Lebron/Jordan and you don't trade that chance away. We have cap space to make a run for a PG and if we have Booker, Ayton, and Zion I'm sure there will be a veteran PG or two that would consider the Suns an ideal landing spot. We'll have the money to pay them so it's not like that's an issue. Even after resigning Oubre we should have somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 million in cap space which should be the market for Rubio, Darren Collison, Jeff Teague, Derrick Rose, and others. PG is a need, no doubt, but I'd feel more comfortable filling that need with a veteran compared to Ja anyways. Even if we draft Ja we should look to sign a PG to help him along.

 

[elindholm]

I'm on the Morant bandwagon. I think Williamson has a lot to overcome with his measurements. If his athleticism slips on a little, or if the NBA proves to be too big and strong for him, he can become ordinary in a hurry. The future of the NBA is skill and length, not just raw power. I realize that it would be very difficult to pass on Williamson, so I'm hoping the Suns get the #2 pick.

 

[slinslin]

Zion is skill and raw power, Blake Griffin would be a decent NBA comparison though 2 inches taller but Zion is more explosive.

 

[Phrazbit]

I think Zion also has elite defensive potential. He enjoys that part of the game, unlike several athletic phenoms.

 

[slinslin]

that said I wouldn't be disappointed if we miss out on Zion as long as we get Morant.

But with that being said Morant should not be a day 1 starter we should still get a starting caliber PG like Derrick Rose, Brogdon, Patrick Beverley, Ricky Rubio that Morant will replace in the starting lineup when he is ready to do so.

 

[Carolinacacti]

Look what Young is doing with the Hawks, I'm in the Ja corner. But I have to say Zion, Hachimura would help the Suns.

 

[Finito]

In the nfl you can get away with trading back but in the nba if that generational talent is there you take him and don’t even listen to offers

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

In the nfl you can get away with trading back but in the nba if that generational talent is there you take him and don’t even listen to offers

Yep, one player can change the entire fate of your franchise much more easily in the NBA. It would be kind of like a QB needy team who has the #1 pick trading back instead of drafting the next generational talent at QB.

 

[Dan H]

No way would I be ok being the team that traded Zion. I can see Ja being a solid pro but Zion could very well be this generations Lebron/Jordan and you don't trade that chance away. We have cap space to make a run for a PG and if we have Booker, Ayton, and Zion I'm sure there will be a veteran PG or two that would consider the Suns an ideal landing spot. We'll have the money to pay them so it's not like that's an issue. Even after resigning Oubre we should have somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 million in cap space which should be the market for Rubio, Darren Collison, Jeff Teague, Derrick Rose, and others. PG is a need, no doubt, but I'd feel more comfortable filling that need with a veteran compared to Ja anyways. Even if we draft Ja we should look to sign a PG to help him along.

Get #1 pick. Draft Zion.

Sign-and-trade for DeAngelo Russell, moving TJ and absorbing the rest of his contract with our cap space.

Re-sign Oubre.

Russell, Booker, Oubre, Zion, Ayton, with JJ and Bridges off the bench.

 

[Mainstreet]

that said I wouldn't be disappointed if we miss out on Zion as long as we get Morant.

But with that being said Morant should not be a day 1 starter we should still get a starting caliber PG like Derrick Rose, Brogdon, Patrick Beverley, Ricky Rubio that Morant will replace in the starting lineup when he is ready to do so.

I agree the Suns should not count on a rookie point guard to start.

Next season I want the Suns to be at least three players deep who can distribute the ball besides Booker.

If the Suns get lucky in the draft, something like Morant, Tyler Johnson and TJ McConnell might work.

The Suns can't count on Okobo or Melton being the third option not that I wouldn't keep one of them.

 

[1Sun]

I agree the Suns should not count on a rookie point guard to start.

Next season I want the Suns to be at least three players deep who can distribute the ball besides Booker.

If the Suns get lucky in the draft, something like Morant, Tyler Johnson and TJ McConnell might work.

The Suns can't count on Okobo or Melton being the third option not that I wouldn't keep one of them.

That would still leave them without an NBA quality starting point guard. We can't endure that for a third consecutive season.

 

[Raindog]

I think the consensus is that everyone here would be thrilled if we get Zion, and happy/upbeat if we get Morant.

The conundrum becomes if we end up with the third pick (or lower)... which is what I fully expect, this being the Suns we are talking about. There are going to be conventional wisdom (i.e, "best player available") choices there, like Barrett, that aren't likely going to be of much immediate impact. Or riskier project guys (Bol, other PGs) who potentially fill an immediate need, but are rolls of the dice. The Suns are stuck between a rock and a hard place if things shake out like that. One way or the other, they really need to get much luckier than they normally are.

 

[Mainstreet]

That would still leave them without an NBA quality starting point guard. We can't endure that for a third consecutive season.

I was looking at the approach if the Suns draft Morant. The team has other needs as well.

They already have Tyler Johnson on the roster who is capable of playing besides Booker. Adding a veteran point guard like McConnell would give them three players who are capable of starting.

If the Suns do not believe Morant can become the starter later on, then why are they drafting him.

 

[1Sun]

I was looking at the approach if the Suns draft Morant. The team has other needs as well.

They already have Tyler Johnson on the roster who is capable of playing besides Booker. Adding a veteran point guard like McConnell would give them three players who are capable of starting.

If the Suns do not believe Morant can become the starter later on, then why are they drafting him.

Actually, none of those three players are capable of starting at point guard next year, which means pretty much a guaranteed repeat of this year (as unfortunately I do not see them taking the necessary step of jettisoning Igor), which likely means Booker, Ayton and Oubre wanting out.

 

[Finito]

I agree the Suns should not count on a rookie point guard to start.

Next season I want the Suns to be at least three players deep who can distribute the ball besides Booker.

If the Suns get lucky in the draft, something like Morant, Tyler Johnson and TJ McConnell might work.

The Suns can't count on Okobo or Melton being the third option not that I wouldn't keep one of them.

God no. TJ McConnell hell why not sign Delavadova. You can’t have 2 guys like Johnson and McConnell both super limited

 

[Mainstreet]

God no. TJ McConnell hell why not sign Delavadova. You can’t have 2 guys like Johnson and McConnell both super limited

McConnell was used an example. His name simply came to mind. Feel free to substitute.

 

[1Sun]

There has to be at least one starting caliber point guard on this roster next year. The lowest level I even consider going is Teague or Collison.

No to McConnell, Rose (too much of an injury risk) or Rubio (last year was clearly a fluke, and he has proved to be a below average NBA pount guard).

 

[AzStevenCal]

McConnell was used an example. His name simply came to mind. Feel free to substitute.

I love TJ as a backup point guard but I'm pretty sure Philly does too so I doubt that will happen. And I'm not sure there is another PG that's truly "like" McConnell. He's the complete package, he just isn't quite quick enough or big enough or strong enough to thrive as a starter against defenses that decide to neutralize him.

I guess maybe someone like Brogdon or Monte Morris comes the closest to what TJ would give us although their skill sets differ somewhat and both are probably entrenched within their current teams. And both of them are surely eyeing starting PG spots somewhere if they do decide to leave. I'm not sure who I'd want but I think I'd look at the 3 and 4 year PGs in college right now and see if there's a quality backup PG in the making. At least they'd be more mature and likely more developed than your typical rookie.

 

[Mainstreet]

I love TJ as a backup point guard but I'm pretty sure Philly does too so I doubt that will happen. And I'm not sure there is another PG that's truly "like" McConnell. He's the complete package, he just isn't quite quick enough or big enough or strong enough to thrive as a starter against defenses that decide to neutralize him.

I guess maybe someone like Brogdon or Monte Morris comes the closest to what TJ would give us although their skill sets differ somewhat and both are probably entrenched within their current teams. And both of them are surely eyeing starting PG spots somewhere if they do decide to leave. I'm not sure who I'd want but I think I'd look at the 3 and 4 year PGs in college right now and see if there's a quality backup PG in the making. At least they'd be more mature and likely more developed than your typical rookie.

The discussion was centered on the Suns drafting Morant so I was focused on the Suns having depth at the point guard position until he is ready.

I wouldn't view McConnell as a primary starter but he would give the Suns another player who could run the team if Morant isn't quite ready. There may be better options out there. His name popped into my mind as he is the type player a team would want to have on their bench.

I'd still want another veteran who could start. Johnson was mentioned because he is already under contract. Monte Morris is another option as well.

If the Suns are unable to draft Morant, then they should go after a player ready to start like Brogdon or Russell.

I guess I'm reluctant to count on a more mature college point guard because the Suns do not have the luxury of waiting.

 

[jskinny35]

Thanks guys - reading the comments I see some love for Patrick Beverly or Rubio as a temporary/mentor role for a rookie point guard... think that's really smart and if Suns land Ja - would help his defensive intensity. Beverly is tough nosed and could also play well off Booker in the backcourt. Will hope for Zion either way!

 

[1Sun]

Beverly and Rubio are garbage. No thanks.

And for the last time, Tyler Johnson is NOT a point guard.

We need a legitimate starting point guard.

 

[Finito]

I love TJ as a backup point guard but I'm pretty sure Philly does too so I doubt that will happen. And I'm not sure there is another PG that's truly "like" McConnell. He's the complete package, he just isn't quite quick enough or big enough or strong enough to thrive as a starter against defenses that decide to neutralize him.

I guess maybe someone like Brogdon or Monte Morris comes the closest to what TJ would give us although their skill sets differ somewhat and both are probably entrenched within their current teams. And both of them are surely eyeing starting PG spots somewhere if they do decide to leave. I'm not sure who I'd want but I think I'd look at the 3 and 4 year PGs in college right now and see if there's a quality backup PG in the making. At least they'd be more mature and likely more developed than your typical rookie.

Huh

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

Don’t draft anyone based on potential, because management will screw them up. Avoid Zion