What is your current big board? Poll added for our first pick again

[MathiasPW]

And Love cost the #1 pick two years ago. Even though it is said that rookies are more valuable nowadays.

I guess there is no certain rule for that. But logically speaking, certainty should cost more

[thamadkant]

I dont think Ben Simmons will play the PF spot as well as Lamar Odom did.


Lamar has 7'4 wingspan and over 9 feet standing reach....

[NavLDO]

We should be risking busts, though. If you trade risk for certainty, usually you take a discount.

So what we would be able to get trading the #3 pick may be a starter, but unlikely a star.

Of course you can always package the pick with other assets, but we are not that talented to begin with, in order to gut the roster.

We should be the ones taking the risks if we really want to break the mediocrity wall

I guess it depends on the package. If we could get a little lower first this year and a future first next year where the draft is better and deeper, especially with limited protection, I might do that. I don't think we will be able to get a star this year in a trade though. I think we could try and make a trade for Love, but they will probably get better offers and at this point I don't know if he is a star anyway.

Superstars or even stars are rarely moved unless they clearly want out and only have a year or less (year and a half at the most usually) on their contract. Unless it was some sort of monster superstar or star swap.

And unfortunately, we are probably one of the least appealing teams now. It's really too bad we couldn't have made that pitch to Aldridge two summers ago, because that would have been good timing had he been a free agent, as we came off a good year.

I've said it a few times, and while on the surface, it doesn't sound like the smartest plan, or even the best use of resources, but assuming we have picks 4 (we ARE the Suns, so we surely will drop 1 pick), 13, 28, and 33, I'd pick 4 PFs and see who breaks out in 2-3 years. But by that, I mean, take 1x pure PF, 1x hybrid SF/PF, 1x hybrid PF/C, and 1 Eurostash, so my "Big Board" for our picks only might look something like this:

4. SF/PF Jaylen Brown
13. PF/C Skal Labissiere
28. PF Petr Cornalie (stash)
33. PF/C Cheick Diallo

Or this:

4. PF/C Henry Ellenson
13. PF Ivan Rabb
28. PF/C Guershon Yabusele (stash)
33. SF/PF Georges Niang

Or this:

4. PF Dragan Bender
13. PF/C Domantas Sabonis
28. SF/PF Juan Hernangomez
33. PF/C Jonathan Jeanne (stash)

Just some ideas, but you get the point. Grab guys who provide some versatility. Brown, Niang, and Hernangomez can all shoot, and while they may be a tad small for everyday PF use, you could use them in small-ball situations.

Or a guy I like, Thomas Bryant, but I don't see him listed anymore, so maybe he isn't declaring. But he's a Big dude that can actually shoot...I like him.

Anyway, those are some ideas for an "all Suns picks" big board, or Mock.

[bwgood77]

We should be risking busts, though. If you trade risk for certainty, usually you take a discount.

So what we would be able to get trading the #3 pick may be a starter, but unlikely a star.

Of course you can always package the pick with other assets, but we are not that talented to begin with, in order to gut the roster.

We should be the ones taking the risks if we really want to break the mediocrity wall

I guess it depends on the package. If we could get a little lower first this year and a future first next year where the draft is better and deeper, especially with limited protection, I might do that. I don't think we will be able to get a star this year in a trade though. I think we could try and make a trade for Love, but they will probably get better offers and at this point I don't know if he is a star anyway.

Superstars or even stars are rarely moved unless they clearly want out and only have a year or less (year and a half at the most usually) on their contract. Unless it was some sort of monster superstar or star swap.

And unfortunately, we are probably one of the least appealing teams now. It's really too bad we couldn't have made that pitch to Aldridge two summers ago, because that would have been good timing had he been a free agent, as we came off a good year.

I've said it a few times, and while on the surface, it doesn't sound like the smartest plan, or even the best use of resources, but assuming we have picks 4 (we ARE the Suns, so we surely will drop 1 pick), 13, 28, and 33, I'd pick 4 PFs and see who breaks out in 2-3 years. But by that, I mean, take 1x pure PF, 1x hybrid SF/PF, 1x hybrid PF/C, and 1 Eurostash, so my "Big Board" for our picks only might look something like this:

4. SF/PF Jaylen Brown
13. PF/C Skal Labissiere
28. PF Petr Cornalie (stash)
33. PF/C Cheick Diallo

Or this:

4. PF/C Henry Ellenson
13. PF Ivan Rabb
28. PF/C Guershon Yabusele (stash)
33. SF/PF Georges Niang

Or this:

4. PF Dragan Bender
13. PF/C Domantas Sabonis
28. SF/PF Juan Hernangomez
33. PF/C Jonathan Jeanne (stash)

Just some ideas, but you get the point. Grab guys who provide some versatility. Brown, Niang, and Hernangomez can all shoot, and while they may be a tad small for everyday PF use, you could use them in small-ball situations.

Or a guy I like, Thomas Bryant, but I don't see him listed anymore, so maybe he isn't declaring. But he's a Big dude that can actually shoot...I like him.

Anyway, those are some ideas for an "all Suns picks" big board, or Mock.

I like your 4th by far the best and also your first is ok...I'm not sure what to make of Brown. He was terrible, but at that point if we can't trade down and Bender is gone, I'd probably go Dunn. I am beginning to like Skal more the more I think about it. Same reason I don't mind going for Bender in a draft like this given our needs. They are raw with upside. Skal probably even has more potential upside, but with Len and Chandler, we don't have to rush these guys, and they can work with them, at least with Chandler for a while.

But at PF it's tough...I also like Sabonis, particularly if we get Bender because at least you have one project and one guy who is more ready. Bender and Skal, then at least you have a competition and if one pans out great, if both do, phenomenal...since they can both shoot, they could play together, particularly if Skal can turn into sort of a WCS type and guard all positions..not sure if that is possible, but it would give us options.

I also don't mind Devonta Davis. And then there is Chriss. I think there is a good chance Chriss, Sabonis and Ellenson all go between our picks, which might leave us with Skal, which I'd be fine with. Definitely prefer him to Rabb. Probably prefer Ellenson over Rabb as well.

[bigfoot]

FYI ... in the event we end up with the same record as the Nets we split 275 lottery balls (out of 1000 available) ... there would be a coin flip to see who gets the extra ball. So our odds are about .137 for getting the first pick. In the event both the Suns and Celtics(Nets) are jumped by a lower team in the lottery and end up tied for the 4th pick there would be another coin toss to see who got the fourth pick with the loser getting the fifth pick.

[bwgood77]

FYI ... in the event we end up with the same record as the Nets we split 275 lottery balls (out of 1000 available) ... there would be a coin flip to see who gets the extra ball. So our odds are about .137 for getting the first pick. In the event both the Suns and Celtics(Nets) are jumped by a lower team in the lottery and end up tied for the 4th pick there would be another coin toss to see who got the fourth pick with the loser getting the fifth pick.

No, pretty sure the same coin toss decides both things...the extra combination and the pecking order of picking if neither jump.

[saintEscaton]

If Rabb inexplicably falls out of the lotto, he will every team that passed on him sorely regret it.

[RaisingArizona]

If Rabb inexplicably falls out of the lotto, he will every team that passed on him sorely regret it.

No way he drops past us at 12/13.

[bwgood77]

If Rabb inexplicably falls out of the lotto, he will every team that passed on him sorely regret it.

Why, because skinny good rebounding PFs who can't shoot go for a premium these days? Have him and Brown even said they are entering draft yet? Last I read they were pondering together about going back to Cal for another year.

[saintEscaton]

If Rabb inexplicably falls out of the lotto, he will every team that passed on him sorely regret it.

Why, because skinny good rebounding PFs who can't shoot go for a premium these days? Have him and Brown even said they are entering draft yet? Last I read they were pondering together about going back to Cal for another year.

I get you disliking Brown who is really more of a physical specimen than a player at this point. But I think you are severely underselling Rabb who can hit turn around 15 foot jumpers with some consistenct. In fact 47.4% of FG attempts were 2pt Js and he made 42.0% of them so he isnt' some plodding one dimensional post up big like you make him out to be. He is absolutely money inside the restricted area with a go to baby left hook and he is a ambidextrous finisher who can go strong with either hand, has a soft touch with fluid body control. Also a solid helpside defender who can alter shots. He just needs to bulk up so he doesn't get pushed off the block so easily. Also Ellenson was flat out awful for the most part, literally my least favorite prospect in this class

[bwgood77]

If Rabb inexplicably falls out of the lotto, he will every team that passed on him sorely regret it.

Why, because skinny good rebounding PFs who can't shoot go for a premium these days? Have him and Brown even said they are entering draft yet? Last I read they were pondering together about going back to Cal for another year.

I get you disliking Brown who is really more of a physical specimen than a player at this point. But I think you are severely underselling Rabb who can hit turn around 15 foot jumpers with some consistenct. In fact 47.4% of FG attempts were 2pt Js and he made 42.0% of them so he isnt' some plodding one dimensional post up big like you make him out to be. He is absolutely money inside the restricted area with a go to baby left hook and he is a ambidextrous finisher who can go strong with either hand, has a soft touch with fluid body control. Also a solid helpside defender who can alter shots. He just needs to bulk up so he doesn't get pushed off the block so easily. Also Ellenson was flat out awful for the most part, literally my least favorite prospect in this class

Ellenson was flat out awful where? Was there some recent game you saw? Those are my two least favorite PFs in that lotto range though. I know Rabb's strengths and weaknesses. I mean there is probably a reason DX and ESPN have him ranked near the bottom of the PFs. DX has him higher than Chriss and Sabonis, and ESPN higher than Skal and Sabonis. I'm not an Ellenson fan but they have him at 6th and 9th.

There are some people who love Rabb though. Quite a few here including you and Kerrsed, Fischella and nbadraft.net as well. Time will tell. Who knows which of these guys will end up the best prospects? I can't state with any certainty who will.

[saintEscaton]

Why, because skinny good rebounding PFs who can't shoot go for a premium these days? Have him and Brown even said they are entering draft yet? Last I read they were pondering together about going back to Cal for another year.

I get you disliking Brown who is really more of a physical specimen than a player at this point. But I think you are severely underselling Rabb who can hit turn around 15 foot jumpers with some consistenct. In fact 47.4% of FG attempts were 2pt Js and he made 42.0% of them so he isnt' some plodding one dimensional post up big like you make him out to be. He is absolutely money inside the restricted area with a go to baby left hook and he is a ambidextrous finisher who can go strong with either hand, has a soft touch with fluid body control. Also a solid helpside defender who can alter shots. He just needs to bulk up so he doesn't get pushed off the block so easily. Also Ellenson was flat out awful for the most part, literally my least favorite prospect in this class

Ellenson was flat out awful where? Was there some recent game you saw? Those are my two least favorite PFs in that lotto range though. I know Rabb's strengths and weaknesses. I mean there is probably a reason DX and ESPN have him ranked near the bottom of the PFs. DX has him higher than Chriss and Sabonis, and ESPN higher than Skal and Sabonis. I'm not an Ellenson fan but they have him at 6th and 9th.

There are some people who love Rabb though. Quite a few here including you and Kerrsed, Fischella and nbadraft.net as well. Time will tell. Who knows which of these guys will end up the best prospects? I can't state with any certainty who will.

Ellenson should be much better shooter with his solid form and release, but he is only effective facing up at the elbows and isn't much of a pick n' pop threat. Has questionable shot selection, doesn't really pick his spots to his strengths. He can only drain treys from the corner, bricks everything from the middle, left or right . Most concerning is his lack of intangibles and lateral agility. HHe isn't much of a leaper so I don't see him being as dominant on the boards at the next level. Has some verticality with his standing reach but isn't much of a an enforcer in the paint . He will have to transition to center eventually if he wants to cut it.

[bwgood77]

Some of these underclassmen are undeclared as of now. If OG comes out I'd have him in my Top 10
Top 15 Big Board
1) Brandon Ingram
2)Ben Simmons
3) Kris Dunn
4)Jaylen Brown
5)Ivan Rabb
6)Dragan Bender
7)Buddy Hield
8) Marquese Chriss
9) Timothy Luwawu
10) Jamal Murray
11) Jacob Poetl
12) Skal Labissiere
13) Deyonta Davis
14 Domantas Sabonis
15 )Thomas Bryant

Cleveland Pick Targets-
1) Taurean Prince ( ideal 3&D wing/ Tucker replacement)
2) BPA PG left of Baldwin, Jackson, Ulis, Trimble
3)Stash away overseas bigs: Johnathan Jeanne,Petr Cornelie, Zhou Qui, the two Croat centers (Zizic/Zubac) or Juancho(doubt he falls this far)

Since you don't seem high on Bender in the Draft Forum, I was going to ask you why you had him 5th on your big board (which I thought you did) but if you think he is like Vesely, why do you have him as high as 6th?

[saintEscaton]

Some of these underclassmen are undeclared as of now. If OG comes out I'd have him in my Top 10
Top 15 Big Board
1) Brandon Ingram
2)Ben Simmons
3) Kris Dunn
4)Jaylen Brown
5)Ivan Rabb
6)Dragan Bender
7)Buddy Hield
8) Marquese Chriss
9) Timothy Luwawu
10) Jamal Murray
11) Jacob Poetl
12) Skal Labissiere
13) Deyonta Davis
14 Domantas Sabonis
15 )Thomas Bryant

Cleveland Pick Targets-
1) Taurean Prince ( ideal 3&D wing/ Tucker replacement)
2) BPA PG left of Baldwin, Jackson, Ulis, Trimble
3)Stash away overseas bigs: Johnathan Jeanne,Petr Cornelie, Zhou Qui, the two Croat centers (Zizic/Zubac) or Juancho(doubt he falls this far)

Since you don't seem high on Bender in the Draft Forum, I was going to ask you why you had him 5th on your big board (which I thought you did) but if you think he is like Vesely, why do you have him as high as 6th?

I think thats the worst case scenario, but if he pans out he can become a tougher7 foot version of Mirotic/ Kukoc Lite. If he had better measurables and above the rim explosiveness he would have the upside that would definitely be worth the gamble. But to me seems like a cerebral effort player who can fill the lane in transition and run the open court like a gazelle with some point forward skills. A 24 inch no step vertical is pretty underwhelming. The most intriguing part of his game is his defensive ability to cover a lot of ground in a hurry,switch onto guards, hedge the screener and recovering to close out in the perimeter.

[jcsunsfan]

If we come away with Hield and Sabonis, I am OK with that.

[saintEscaton]

I definitely wouldn't be

[ATTL]

4. Bender or Dunn
12. Chriss, Davis, or Luwawu
28. Euro big to stash a year or two
34. Brice Johnson, Diallo, or another draft and stash
With Bogdan coming over next year it's hard to imagine 4 rookies being on the team next year.

[jcsunsfan]

4. Bender or Dunn
12. Chriss, Davis, or Luwawu
28. Euro big to stash a year or two
34. Brice Johnson, Diallo, or another draft and stash
With Bogdan coming over next year it's hard to imagine 4 rookies being on the team next year.

With Bogdan that would be 5. A trade is inevitable. Even trade for future picks and spread it out some. A draft and stash would be good. Maybe the next Jokic or Bogdan will be there in the second round.

[Saberestar]

4. Bender or Dunn
12. Chriss, Davis, or Luwawu
28. Euro big to stash a year or two
34. Brice Johnson, Diallo, or another draft and stash
With Bogdan coming over next year it's hard to imagine 4 rookies being on the team next year.

With Bogdan that would be 5. A trade is inevitable. Even trade for future picks and spread it out some. A draft and stash would be good. Maybe the next Jokic or Bogdan will be there in the second round.

On a interview McDonough said that he expect to have two rookies next season, not more than that because we have too many youngsters.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

4. Bender or Dunn
12. Chriss, Davis, or Luwawu
28. Euro big to stash a year or two
34. Brice Johnson, Diallo, or another draft and stash
With Bogdan coming over next year it's hard to imagine 4 rookies being on the team next year.

With Bogdan that would be 5. A trade is inevitable. Even trade for future picks and spread it out some. A draft and stash would be good. Maybe the next Jokic or Bogdan will be there in the second round.

On a interview McDonough said that he expect to have two rookies next season, not more than that because we have too many youngsters.

I think a draft-and-stash at 28 is very likely. Plenty of Euros in that range. I'm sure McD has someone he likes. Hard to trade a pick at the bottom of the first for a future first - especially in a draft that's perceived as below-average.