The Official Draft Thread 2: Judgement Day

[jredsaz]

Paul Coro�@paulcoro
#Suns held a big workout in size & scope today. John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Meyers Leonard, Arnett Moultrie, Perry Jones & Jared Sullinger.


I like Henson, Perry Jones (SF) and Sullinger, but I think all of them will be gone at #13.

I wonder why they didn't bring in Royce White? If Suns are looking to acquire a later pick, hoping to land a scorer like Rivers/Waiters at #13, and lacking a point guard for the future, wouldn't you like to pick up a talent point forward type to pair with your scorer?

[Kerrsed]

Paul Coro�@paulcoro
#Suns held a big workout in size & scope today. John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Meyers Leonard, Arnett Moultrie, Perry Jones & Jared Sullinger.


I like Henson, Perry Jones (SF) and Sullinger, but I think all of them will be gone at #13.

I wonder why they didn't bring in Royce White? If Suns are looking to acquire a later pick, hoping to land a scorer like Rivers/Waiters at #13, and lacking a point guard for the future, wouldn't you like to pick up a talent point forward type to pair with your scorer?

Maybe he was supposed to? IDK.

Chris Herrington: Iowa State forward Royce White pulled out of a workout for the Grizzlies due to a knee injury. White has apparently suffered a knee injury "of some sort," but there is nothing to suggest that it's a serious issue at this time. via Twitter

That was yesterday.

[bwgood77]

I like Royce White and Andrew Nicholson better than all those guys. But I think we already worked out Nicholson anyway.

I hope we buy a pick. However, as that article states, just because we are under the cap doesn't mean Sarver has a hole burning in his pocket to buy a pick...it obviously would be money spent outside of salary, and I don't think we have ever seen him do that. And obviously, he has done the exact opposite at the detriment of the team.

However, Kerrsed has once reported here that Sarver has given the go ahead to buy a pick and spend his money, so that should certainly happen if that is the case. It's not something a GM would decide against obviously, so I guess it's just a matter of time until that happens.

And Kerrsed also mentioned we are willing to trade a pick in future years for a pick this year. That scares me, given our likely future, unless it is lottery or top 10 protected for years. There is certainly a possibility we will be in the running for the top pick for a few years. Nerlen Noels has been regarded as possibly the best shot blocker (as a prospect) in years, if not ever.

Hopefully we buy a pick. I think Sarver COULD justify it if we decide not to spend money in free agency just to spend it. Meaning, if we are going to be more than $5M under the cap, then spending the $3M on a pick is possibly a better use of the cash (provided he has a budget for the year) than signing a marginal player with that money.

[Kerrsed]

Paul Coro: A tweak to the previous tweet. Vandy SF Jeffery Taylor participated in the #Suns workout today, not Ohio State PF Jared Sullinger. via Twitter

That is great news! Taylor >>>>>>> Sullinger. Add Taylor to the growing list of late 1st round talent that we have worked out. He is a great defender at the SF spot. Sefolosha/Wilson Chandler type of player.

[sunsfan88]

What if our plan is to do the deal with the Blazers ,give up Gortat and Duds, for thier 2 picks and possibly even a player, so we can draft 3 guys this year , Rivers/Waiters, Jones, and whoever Zeller, Marshall, or witch ever the most promising Pg. Sg. and Sf is there, then to throw an insane amount of money at Javyle McGee in free-agency??? Marshall/Brooks,...... Rivers/Waiters...... Jones/Royce White...... Morris/Frye...... McGee/Lopez as potential starters??? That is a full rebuild!!Fo-Real
posted in the wrong thread at first.

I sure as hell hope we don't draft Terrence Jones. Guy will not survive in this league imo. Too much of a tweener and no skill set at all.

[Kerrsed]

Phoenix Suns looking to boost offense in 2012 NBA Draft
by Paul Coro - Jun. 16, 2012 04:06 PM
The Republic | azcentral.com

The Suns might need the franchise's next point guard soon. They also are putting a priority on finding a wing scorer who can create his own shot.

Those are needs, but the Suns' most glaring need after missing consecutive postseasons for the first time in 24 years is talent. Saturday's draft workout at US Airways Center made it clear that a talent influx also could come in the form of another big man, despite drafting power forward Markieff Morris last year, returning Channing Frye and Marcin Gortat and planning to retain restricted free agent Robin Lopez.

The Suns close workouts and do not announce or comment on visiting prospects, but league sources revealed that on Saturday they hosted an impressive group of big men who are all first-round candidates. The workout featured North Carolina's John Henson and Tyler Zeller, Illinois' Meyers Leonard, Baylor's Perry Jones and Mississippi State's Arnett Moultrie, as well as Vanderbilt small forward Jeffery Taylor.

On Tuesday, the Suns worked out two big men who also are first-round candidates. In that workout, St. Bonaventure's Andrew Nicholson outshined Syracuse's Fab Melo, but neither is considered in the realm of Saturday's bunch, although Nicholson's stock is rising.

Most pundits would project each of Saturday's six participants to go in the top 20 of the June 28 draft, when the Suns will pick 13th. The order is subject to opinion, especially with Leonard being bolstered by his combine showing.

Henson is a lanky 6-foot-10, 216-pound power forward with a 7-5 wingspan that makes him a top shot blocker and solid rebounder. He has to work on his strength and perimeter shooting but has shown drive to do it.

Zeller is a 7-foot, 247-pound senior who has shown touch in the post and on mid-range shots and moves well but has average explosion and strength.

Jones is intriguing at 6-11, 234 pounds and just 20 years of age. He has versatile skills to pass and shoot but he is not a strong defender or rebounder and has played inconsistently.

Moultrie is similar in size and speed to Jones but is a better post player and rebounder. He also has shooting range but not like Jones.

Leonard has shot up after making huge improvement over his freshman and sophomore seasons. He showed athleticism at the combine to help his cause and just turned 20, but his offensive game is a work in progress.

Although some call Jones a combo forward, Taylor was the only true small forward in the group. The senior is considered a late first-round pick, although he has good size at 6-7 and has shown great athleticism, an improved shot and solid defense.

The only previous Suns workout visitor who is projected to go in the first 13 picks was North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall. The other point-guard candidate for the Suns' 13th pick, Weber State's Damian Lillard, is slated to visit Phoenix this week.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/ar ... draft.html

[Kerrsed]

So Lillard is coming in next week. Kinda wierd, as i expect him to be long gone by the time we are drafting. I hope they also bring in Teague at some point, just to get a good look at him.

[[The-Warriors]]

So Lillard is coming in next week. Kinda wierd, as i expect him to be long gone by the time we are drafting. I hope they also bring in Teague at some point, just to get a good look at him.

The suns should try and get a top 10 pick so they can draft Lillard and a SG/PF/SF/C.

[Kerrsed]

Arnett Moultrie's draft profile video has been uploaded.

[7Insomniac]

I'm not a fan of Lillard, and I'd hardly call the guys who worked out for us today "talent". I know we're in a bad position picking 13th, but we don't need anymore roleplayers. I'm praying to the basketball gods that Lamb, Rivers, or Ross falls to us.

[sunsfan88]

If Lillard, PJ3, Rivers, Waiters and Ross are all available at #13, who should we pick?

[Kerrsed]

If Lillard, PJ3, Rivers, Waiters and Ross are all available at #13, who should we pick?

Rivers/Lillard/Waiters/Ross/PJ3 in that order.

[DirtyDez]

Assuming the first 6 are...

(in no order)

Davis
Robinson
MKG
Beal
Barnes
Drummond

That leaves 4 SG's worthy of the 13th pick...

Waiters
Rivers
Ross
Lamb

Possible landing spots between 7-12...

Warriors - backcourt set with Curry/Thompson
Raptors - definitely in play for all, worked out Rivers and Lamb over the past few days
Pistons - need a young big with potential next to Monroe, have been heavily linked with only bigs
Hornets - rumored to be high on Rivers but I don't buy it with Gordon likely coming back
Blazers - could use a SG but need a PG more and have been linked with Lillard
Bucks - have Monta and need a big man, teams are drafting for need more than ever

Non-SG's that could go 7-12...

Lillard - I'll be shocked if he makes it past #13, thinking POR or NOH
Leonard - stock blowing up lately, lots of upside, thinking DET or MIL
Sullinger/Hensen/Zeller good college production but not much potential, maybe the Warriors reach for a PF next to Bogut
PJ3/T-Jones/Moultrie - high risk/reward , probably go in the late teens

So at least two of the Big 4 will be @ #13. Toronto really likes Lamb, imagine if they take him and we have our choice of Waiters/Rivers/Ross. The Suns have yet to work any of them out but there's still 10 days left before the draft and FO has been very quiet about visits.

[sunsfan88]

If Lillard, PJ3, Rivers, Waiters and Ross are all available at #13, who should we pick?

Rivers/Lillard/Waiters/Ross/PJ3 in that order.

Perry Jones last?! I was gonna have him first!

His upside is enormous. Kid can be Rudy Gay like with better coaching and right players around him.

[Kerrsed]

If Lillard, PJ3, Rivers, Waiters and Ross are all available at #13, who should we pick?

Rivers/Lillard/Waiters/Ross/PJ3 in that order.

Perry Jones last?! I was gonna have him first!

His upside is enormous. Kid can be Rudy Gay like with better coaching and right players around him.

His upside is enormous, but his downside is what scares me. I heard on GM mention that he looked very disinterested, and was severely lacking confidence, to a point where the GM said it was the lowest he has ever seen in a player. That has Anthony Randolph written all over it. He could turn out to be an absolute stud, but he's kinda in a sh*t situation. The league says he's a 4, but Jones says hes a SF. Tweener tweener tweener. You know i like PJ3, i think i established that last season, but from what i have been hearing about his lack of confidence, i think i would rather go after a few of the other guys before him.

I would rather address our hole at SG 1st. If by some miracle Lillard did fall to us, then i wouldnt mind addressing our need of a PG.