College basketball and 2017 draft - One more poll after last game

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Even by draft day last year, I couldn't settle on a choice with our #4 pick. This year, I have my guy early. My biggest concern was what's between the ears, but I think this kid would fit in well with our group:

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Drafting Williams would mean we'd keep and start Chandler, probably playing him only 15-18 MPG (and Alan Williams 25 MPG or so). It would also mean Len is definitely out - which is fine. Time for that chick to get pushed out of the nest.

[bwgood77]

Just a wild "what if"

Let say things do continue to go south...er? Is it North? And the Suns end up with the 5th pick. Fultz, Jackson and Ball are gone, but Isaac and/or Tatum are still there. Suns FO aren't terribly enamored with either (or PG Smith), yet the Blazers really want say?..Jonathan Isaac.

Draft day the Blazers have the 11th, 20th and 27th pick.

Blazers offer #11 and #20 for the Suns #5 and #35 or maybe more likely Suns '18 1st round lottery+ protected. In this hypothetical, the Suns like Ntilikina and think he'll still be there at 11, and are also hopeful that (declared) Anunoby is there at 20. They do the trade and come away with Ntilikina & Anunoby in this draft.

Kid Ntilikina can grow without pressure with Bledsoe & Ulis holding down PG duties quite nicely. Bledsoe can be moved eventually when/if Ntilikina grows into the role.

Anunoby can be a future plus 3 and D talent that need not be rushed at all. ACL? Yeah, some risk, but reward could be great.

Yes it's far-fetched and silly specific, but like to hear opinions still...or simply opinions of Ntilikina & Anunoby as prospects for the Phoenix team construction plans.

I won't be surprised at all if we trade the pick. I just hope it's not (along with a bunch of other assets) for Butler.

[bwgood77]

Just a wild "what if"

Let say things do continue to go south...er? Is it North? And the Suns end up with the 5th pick. Fultz, Jackson and Ball are gone, but Isaac and/or Tatum are still there. Suns FO aren't terribly enamored with either (or PG Smith), yet the Blazers really want say?..Jonathan Isaac.

Draft day the Blazers have the 11th, 20th and 27th pick.

Blazers offer #11 and #20 for the Suns #5 and #35 or maybe more likely Suns '18 1st round lottery+ protected. In this hypothetical, the Suns like Ntilikina and think he'll still be there at 11, and are also hopeful that (declared) Anunoby is there at 20. They do the trade and come away with Ntilikina & Anunoby in this draft.

Kid Ntilikina can grow without pressure with Bledsoe & Ulis holding down PG duties quite nicely. Bledsoe can be moved eventually when/if Ntilikina grows into the role.

Anunoby can be a future plus 3 and D talent that need not be rushed at all. ACL? Yeah, some risk, but reward could be great.

Yes it's far-fetched and silly specific, but like to hear opinions still...or simply opinions of Ntilikina & Anunoby as prospects for the Phoenix team construction plans.

The last thing I want is multiple firsts in next year's draft. Take one guy - a center or maybe a shooting guard - or trade for future picks. If other GMs think this draft is amazing, let them give up a couple unprotected firsts, or one in exchange for moving up. We just don't have the room to stick a bunch of additional young players on this roster.

Next year's or this year's draft? We should have two firsts next year unless Miami finishes outside of bottom 7. If not it would go to unprotected in 2019.

At some point we should have room to stick new young guys on the roster. If we don't keep Len (though I think we likely will) then we will need a young C for the future, whether it be starter or backup. Chandler won't be around much longer.

And we will need a backup SG. And if we trade Bledsoe a backup PG, if we don't draft one. And if we don't draft a SF, a backup SF.

[darealjuice]

I think Dennis Smith Jr is being slept on, the more I see of him the more I like. He has excellent ball handling and court vision, plays the pick and roll game well, can create his own shots, and is very good at attacking the paint and drawing multiple defenders leading to kickouts. The defensive intensity is lacking at times and he takes some tough shots, but I can't blame him for trying to do a lot himself with how bad this NC State team is outside of him. If I wasn't worried about the ACL tear last year I'd think he's just as good of a prospect as Lonzo and JJ.

edit: not playing well today though lol

[jcsunsfan]

Just a wild "what if"

Let say things do continue to go south...er? Is it North? And the Suns end up with the 5th pick. Fultz, Jackson and Ball are gone, but Isaac and/or Tatum are still there. Suns FO aren't terribly enamored with either (or PG Smith), yet the Blazers really want say?..Jonathan Isaac.

Draft day the Blazers have the 11th, 20th and 27th pick.

Blazers offer #11 and #20 for the Suns #5 and #35 or maybe more likely Suns '18 1st round lottery+ protected. In this hypothetical, the Suns like Ntilikina and think he'll still be there at 11, and are also hopeful that (declared) Anunoby is there at 20. They do the trade and come away with Ntilikina & Anunoby in this draft.

Kid Ntilikina can grow without pressure with Bledsoe & Ulis holding down PG duties quite nicely. Bledsoe can be moved eventually when/if Ntilikina grows into the role.

Anunoby can be a future plus 3 and D talent that need not be rushed at all. ACL? Yeah, some risk, but reward could be great.

Yes it's far-fetched and silly specific, but like to hear opinions still...or simply opinions of Ntilikina & Anunoby as prospects for the Phoenix team construction plans.

I won't be surprised at all if we trade the pick. I just hope it's not (along with a bunch of other assets) for Butler.

We have too many young prospects already. We need the best possible individual player out of this draft. I fully expect us to trade those second round picks unless some amazing talent falls.

[bwgood77]

Just a wild "what if"

Let say things do continue to go south...er? Is it North? And the Suns end up with the 5th pick. Fultz, Jackson and Ball are gone, but Isaac and/or Tatum are still there. Suns FO aren't terribly enamored with either (or PG Smith), yet the Blazers really want say?..Jonathan Isaac.

Draft day the Blazers have the 11th, 20th and 27th pick.

Blazers offer #11 and #20 for the Suns #5 and #35 or maybe more likely Suns '18 1st round lottery+ protected. In this hypothetical, the Suns like Ntilikina and think he'll still be there at 11, and are also hopeful that (declared) Anunoby is there at 20. They do the trade and come away with Ntilikina & Anunoby in this draft.

Kid Ntilikina can grow without pressure with Bledsoe & Ulis holding down PG duties quite nicely. Bledsoe can be moved eventually when/if Ntilikina grows into the role.

Anunoby can be a future plus 3 and D talent that need not be rushed at all. ACL? Yeah, some risk, but reward could be great.

Yes it's far-fetched and silly specific, but like to hear opinions still...or simply opinions of Ntilikina & Anunoby as prospects for the Phoenix team construction plans.

I won't be surprised at all if we trade the pick. I just hope it's not (along with a bunch of other assets) for Butler.

We have too many young prospects already. We need the best possible individual player out of this draft. I fully expect us to trade those second round picks unless some amazing talent falls.

If you think you can get a future difference maker AT ALL, it's best to use those picks, even if they sit on the bench. Guys who are getting playing time now, like Barbosa will likely be gone next year, or not play, and then Dudley only has a couple of years left if we keep him. We need cheap contracts too, especially if we can't find takers for Knight and/or Chandler and want to keep them. We basically still have 4 guys who won't be part of our core in the future, 5, if you count Bledsoe and 6 if you count Len. I see no problem adding at least 2 or even 3 players this offseason, even if it's likely you cut them.

Those picks have extremely limited value in trade, particularly the Toronto one. And since our 2nd rounder will likely be between 33-35, that's almost like having another first round pick.

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

[Marcus]

Question for you guys

Alonzo Trier.

Do you guys feel there is a massive gap in what he brings to the table compared to what Malik Monk brings to the table? If they switch Wildcat jerseys would their big boards rankings be the same?

[bwgood77]

Question for you guys

Alonzo Trier.

Do you guys feel there is a massive gap in what he brings to the table compared to what Malik Monk brings to the table? If they switch Wildcat jerseys would their big boards rankings be the same?

I haven't watched a lot of Monk, but I really like Trier. He seems to be vastly underrated on draft boards. I think at one point, maybe early when he was a freshman, he was listed in the first round on one of them for the last draft. I'd definitely be happy to get him with the Raptors 2nd rounder to back up Booker.

[Christine-In-AZ]

Just a wild "what if"

Let say things do continue to go south...er? Is it North? And the Suns end up with the 5th pick. Fultz, Jackson and Ball are gone, but Isaac and/or Tatum are still there. Suns FO aren't terribly enamored with either (or PG Smith), yet the Blazers really want say?..Jonathan Isaac.

Draft day the Blazers have the 11th, 20th and 27th pick.

Blazers offer #11 and #20 for the Suns #5 and #35 or maybe more likely Suns '18 1st round lottery+ protected. In this hypothetical, the Suns like Ntilikina and think he'll still be there at 11, and are also hopeful that (declared) Anunoby is there at 20. They do the trade and come away with Ntilikina & Anunoby in this draft.

Kid Ntilikina can grow without pressure with Bledsoe & Ulis holding down PG duties quite nicely. Bledsoe can be moved eventually when/if Ntilikina grows into the role.

Anunoby can be a future plus 3 and D talent that need not be rushed at all. ACL? Yeah, some risk, but reward could be great.

Yes it's far-fetched and silly specific, but like to hear opinions still...or simply opinions of Ntilikina & Anunoby as prospects for the Phoenix team construction plans.

The last thing I want is multiple firsts in next year's draft. Take one guy - a center or maybe a shooting guard - or trade for future picks. If other GMs think this draft is amazing, let them give up a couple unprotected firsts, or one in exchange for moving up. We just don't have the room to stick a bunch of additional young players on this roster.

In my scenario
-Ntilikina & Anunoby spend the year in the G-League...or 90% of it
-I think a PG is high on the priority list for PHX. See:I'm (generally) pro trade Bledsoe soon/Ulis's size is an issue
-Ntilika (over Smith as a future PG) & Anunoby are prized by the FO
-Which shooting guard do you feel is a quality pick at #5?

[Christine-In-AZ]

Just a wild "what if"

Let say things do continue to go south...er? Is it North? And the Suns end up with the 5th pick. Fultz, Jackson and Ball are gone, but Isaac and/or Tatum are still there. Suns FO aren't terribly enamored with either (or PG Smith), yet the Blazers really want say?..Jonathan Isaac.

Draft day the Blazers have the 11th, 20th and 27th pick.

Blazers offer #11 and #20 for the Suns #5 and #35 or maybe more likely Suns '18 1st round lottery+ protected. In this hypothetical, the Suns like Ntilikina and think he'll still be there at 11, and are also hopeful that (declared) Anunoby is there at 20. They do the trade and come away with Ntilikina & Anunoby in this draft.

Kid Ntilikina can grow without pressure with Bledsoe & Ulis holding down PG duties quite nicely. Bledsoe can be moved eventually when/if Ntilikina grows into the role.

Anunoby can be a future plus 3 and D talent that need not be rushed at all. ACL? Yeah, some risk, but reward could be great.

Yes it's far-fetched and silly specific, but like to hear opinions still...or simply opinions of Ntilikina & Anunoby as prospects for the Phoenix team construction plans.

I won't be surprised at all if we trade the pick. I just hope it's not (along with a bunch of other assets) for Butler.

We have too many young prospects already. We need the best possible individual player out of this draft. I fully expect us to trade those second round picks unless some amazing talent falls.

Can never have too many prospects. If you have a chance to get 2 players you REALLY like versus 1 player you just like, I grab the two. I'm sure the FO can figure it out as the future unfolds, and there's no pressure to rush the process. Opens up more trade options too.

[Weemsickew14]

If we land at 6 or 7, I can see us taking Robert Williams. I don't see why he can't play C. He looks big enough on the court, is incredile at blocking shots and is big enough to box out NBA bigs. A really interesting pick would be Markkanen with the idea of playing he, Chriss or Bender at C together down the line.

Edit: Would love to see us pick Trier in the second round or late first by trading our 2nds. Would be the perfect backup to Book

[Christine-In-AZ]

I won't be surprised at all if we trade the pick. I just hope it's not (along with a bunch of other assets) for Butler.

We have too many young prospects already. We need the best possible individual player out of this draft. I fully expect us to trade those second round picks unless some amazing talent falls.

If you think you can get a future difference maker AT ALL, it's best to use those picks, even if they sit on the bench. Guys who are getting playing time now, like Barbosa will likely be gone next year, or not play, and then Dudley only has a couple of years left if we keep him. We need cheap contracts too, especially if we can't find takers for Knight and/or Chandler and want to keep them. We basically still have 4 guys who won't be part of our core in the future, 5, if you count Bledsoe and 6 if you count Len. I see no problem adding at least 2 or even 3 players this offseason, even if it's likely you cut them.

Those picks have extremely limited value in trade, particularly the Toronto one. And since our 2nd rounder will likely be between 33-35, that's almost like having another first round pick.

If the Suns feel the right guy is there for them when they pick, by all means take that player! Especially if no other team is offering a good deal. My original thought is not simply about trying to parlay 1 pick into 2, I do get some of the argument against multiple 1s for the Suns. That being acknowledged; If there ever was a draft quality discription- (extremely deep and not top heavy)- that teams would want to obtain multiple 1st round picks, it's this upcoming draft, the Suns youth heavy roster notwithstanding.

[ATTL]

Is anybody familiar with the extra roster spots for d league contracts in the new CBA? Would our second round pick contracts qualify for the d league spots if they stay in the d league?

[MrMiyagi]

Question for you guys

Alonzo Trier.

Do you guys feel there is a massive gap in what he brings to the table compared to what Malik Monk brings to the table? If they switch Wildcat jerseys would their big boards rankings be the same?

I haven't watched a lot of Monk, but I really like Trier. He seems to be vastly underrated on draft boards. I think at one point, maybe early when he was a freshman, he was listed in the first round on one of them for the last draft. I'd definitely be happy to get him with the Raptors 2nd rounder to back up Booker.

If he has a big tourney, he'll sneak into the 1st. I think there is hesitation because he's an older sophomore, but, and I said this in the Potential Sleepers thread on the general NBA Draft board, he's got a similar game to James Harden, and the college numbers are very similar. I'm not saying that Zo is the next Harden by any means, but I think he can become an NBA starter. Definitely "steal of the draft" material.

Monk much more of a shooter. He dribbles to get a jump shot more than to get to the basket. Watching him I'm reminded a lot of Jamal Crawford. I think he's a better athlete than Crawford, but I don't think he has Jamal's handles. Monk has had some highly memorable games, which is why I think he's regarded so highly. If people are hoping he can be a point guard, I think they're misguided.

[bwgood77]

Question for you guys

Alonzo Trier.

Do you guys feel there is a massive gap in what he brings to the table compared to what Malik Monk brings to the table? If they switch Wildcat jerseys would their big boards rankings be the same?

I haven't watched a lot of Monk, but I really like Trier. He seems to be vastly underrated on draft boards. I think at one point, maybe early when he was a freshman, he was listed in the first round on one of them for the last draft. I'd definitely be happy to get him with the Raptors 2nd rounder to back up Booker.

If he has a big tourney, he'll sneak into the 1st. I think there is hesitation because he's an older sophomore, but, and I said this in the Potential Sleepers thread on the general NBA Draft board, he's got a similar game to James Harden, and the college numbers are very similar. I'm not saying that Zo is the next Harden by any means, but I think he can become an NBA starter. Definitely "steal of the draft" material.

Monk much more of a shooter. He dribbles to get a jump shot more than to get to the basket. Watching him I'm reminded a lot of Jamal Crawford. I think he's a better athlete than Crawford, but I don't think he has Jamal's handles. Monk has had some highly memorable games, which is why I think he's regarded so highly. If people are hoping he can be a point guard, I think they're misguided.

Yeah, I guess Ford has him in his top 35 now, so he may not last until our 2nd rounder.

http://imgur.com/a/sC1Yo

[MrMiyagi]

I haven't watched a lot of Monk, but I really like Trier. He seems to be vastly underrated on draft boards. I think at one point, maybe early when he was a freshman, he was listed in the first round on one of them for the last draft. I'd definitely be happy to get him with the Raptors 2nd rounder to back up Booker.

If he has a big tourney, he'll sneak into the 1st. I think there is hesitation because he's an older sophomore, but, and I said this in the Potential Sleepers thread on the general NBA Draft board, he's got a similar game to James Harden, and the college numbers are very similar. I'm not saying that Zo is the next Harden by any means, but I think he can become an NBA starter. Definitely "steal of the draft" material.

Monk much more of a shooter. He dribbles to get a jump shot more than to get to the basket. Watching him I'm reminded a lot of Jamal Crawford. I think he's a better athlete than Crawford, but I don't think he has Jamal's handles. Monk has had some highly memorable games, which is why I think he's regarded so highly. If people are hoping he can be a point guard, I think they're misguided.

Yeah, I guess Ford has him in his top 35 now, so he may not last until our 2nd rounder.

http://imgur.com/a/sC1Yo

So many of those players in the late first have the "raw" label. Zo is more polished, contenders might be more inclined to pick some more immediate help over long-term projects.

[darealjuice]

Read on Twitter

Ugh Josh is killing me this year. I love him as a basketball player, and nothing he's done is deal breaking or that big of a deal to make me not want him here, but he's done some questionable, dumb **** this year. Maybe this will help him drop to us in the draft regardless of where we pick?

[ATTL]

So josh vandalized a girls car, did a hit and run on this one. These aren't the best signs of good character. Giving someone with bad character millions of dollars doesn't usually help rein in that behavior.

[darealjuice]

So josh vandalized a girls car, did a hit and run on this one. These aren't the best signs of good character. Giving someone with bad character millions of dollars doesn't usually help reign in that behavior.

Definitely true, although maybe if he wasn't a broke ass college student he would have left info on the car lol (half joking)