It’s an interesting time to be a fan of the Phoenix Suns. The team finished with the worst record in the NBA (21-61) last season but there is a nice young core in the works with Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Beyond that, the Suns have acquired some talent in recent drafts and, in 2018, Phoenix also owns an extra first round pick (No. 16 overall) in which to add to an already intriguing core.
One of the worst-kept secrets in the league is that the Suns are widely expected to draft Arizona big man Deandre Ayton and, well, that means less drama until the pick is actually made. Still, there is plenty of intrigue with regard to what the Suns might do elsewhere this summer, ranging from valuable picks at No. 16 and No. 31, to the potential for highly interesting and provocative trade discussions.
In this space, though, we examine a few players that might make sense in a Suns uniform beginning with the 2018-2019 season, even without a great deal of mystery at the (very) top of the class.
- Deandre Ayton – C, Arizona – At this point, everyone assumes Ayton will be the No. 1 pick, to the point where no player seems to be in legitimate consideration. Ayton may have some defensive questions but he is an athletic marvel with high-end skills on the offensive end and the physical make-up that could lead to an imposing defensive presence in time. He looks the part of the top overall pick and, even if you view other players in his tier, the Suns don’t appear to.
- Troy Brown – SF, Oregon – Brown would be a “best player available” consideration at No. 16, depending on how the board shakes out. He is a high school point guard that happens to live in a small forward’s body and his basketball IQ is impressive as a result. He does a number of things well and the Suns could use a “fill-in-the-gaps” player to pair with Ayton, Josh Jackson and Devin Booker.
- Luka Doncic – SF/PG, Slovenia – Just in case Ayton does not fly off the board at No. 1, we have to discuss someone else. Doncic would be in heavy consideration for me with the top pick and the Suns also employ his Slovenian national team coach at the moment. That nugget of information didn’t seem to get Doncic very far in the evaluation process but, if the Suns were to throw a curve ball (or trade the pick), it could be Doncic that is the beneficiary.
- Melvin Frazier – SF, Tulane – No. 16 may be too high for Frazier but, honestly, it wouldn’t be for me. It is fair to say he’s more likely to be the No. 31 pick, though, and a 3-and-D prospect with incredible defensive tools would fit nicely here.
- De’Anthony Melton – SG/PG, USC – Melton isn’t a pure point guard by any means but the Suns could use a defense-first player to pair with Devin Booker in the backcourt. The former USC guard has the tools to be an All-Defensive team player and, if his jump shot pops in the way that it could after some development, Melton would be a heist at No. 16, much less at No. 31 overall.
- Elie Okobo – PG, France – Point guard is Phoenix’s biggest need and, if they want to fill it in this draft, Okobo is probably the ticket at No. 16 overall. He has been a late bloomer in the process but no one doubts his first-round talent and Okobo has good size that would help to mitigate some defensive concerns when playing alongside Booker.
- Zhaire Smith – SG/SF, Texas Tech – Smith was hurt when he measured shorter than expected at the draft combine but he is a potential defensive game-changer anyway. That is what transpires when you have an elite-level athlete on the wing and Smith plays hard on that end of the floor. His offensive ceiling is an open question but he’s worth a mid-first round investment.
- Khyri Thomas – SG, Creighton – Thomas would be a thought only at No. 31 but he would also fit perfectly. At 6’3 with a 6’10 wingspan, he projects as a strong defensive force that can switch 1 through 4, and Thomas can even function as a secondary ball-handler with floor spacing.
