2021 Draft

[Saberestar]

I like Hyland and Grimes in our range. Garuba and Cooper if they slide down a bit. Davion Mitchell as the likely steal of the draft if he goes outside the top 10.

Last year I was big on Ayayi but he didn’t really progress in a way that excites me. Pretty much none of the bigs interest me at all.

Haven’t really done my homework this year like I normally would but we should be able to land a real piece at 29.

"Bones" Hyland looks a baller. He reminds me of Jamal Crawford/Lou Williams. At #29 a player with that upside could be an steal.

[WeekapaugGroove]

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So it appears that James Jones will not draft any raw athletic guy or a freshman with "potential but"...no surprises here.

I expect him to draft a junior/senior who can give us some insurance at any position.

I don't know if I would automatically assume Jones takes a finished product. He did take a raw project in Smith last season.

Honestly at 29 you just take the best guy available, at that point in the draft it's basically a win if the guy is still in the NBA by the end of their rookie contract.

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[Ghost of Kleine]

https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2021/7/27/22589068/phoenix-suns-2021-nba-draft-primer-guard-edition-butler-hyland-mann-springer

Basically they go into detail on these guard options for us at 29:
1- Jared Butler.
2- Nashon "Bones" Hyland.
3- Jaden Springer.
4- Tre Mann.
5- Josh Christopher.
6- Miles " Duece" McBride.
7- Quentin Grimes.
8- Joel Ayayi.
9- Ayo Dosunma.

Honorable mention:
David Johnson.
Daishen Nix.
Jason Preston.

[thamadkant]

Read on Twitter

So it appears that James Jones will not draft any raw athletic guy or a freshman with "potential but"...no surprises here.

I expect him to draft a junior/senior who can give us some insurance at any position.

I don't know if I would automatically assume Jones takes a finished product. He did take a raw project in Smith last season.

Honestly at 29 you just take the best guy available, at that point in the draft it's basically a win if the guy is still in the NBA by the end of their rookie contract.

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Disagree.

At 29, teams should aim for high floor guys who will likely fill roles of need. It's also a spot where teams can take risk on players who are raw but has the traits to be successful.... And bank on developing them at a low salary.

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

So it appears that James Jones will not draft any raw athletic guy or a freshman with "potential but"...no surprises here.

I expect him to draft a junior/senior who can give us some insurance at any position.

I don't know if I would automatically assume Jones takes a finished product. He did take a raw project in Smith last season.

Honestly at 29 you just take the best guy available, at that point in the draft it's basically a win if the guy is still in the NBA by the end of their rookie contract.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Disagree.

At 29, teams should aim for high floor guys who will likely fill roles of need. It's also a spot where teams can take risk on players who are raw but has the traits to be successful.... And bank on developing them at a low salary.

Most guys who are raw with a lot of upside and the one and done guys go in the lottery. At 29 it will be primarily experienced guys going around there...plus we know Jones likes that given his likely input on Bridges and the Cam and Jerome picks. He may have even viewed Smith as more ready than he appeared to be...he did have two years I believe and was a major contributor at Maryland averaging 15/10/2.4 blocks and shooting 37% from 3.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Read on Twitter

So it appears that James Jones will not draft any raw athletic guy or a freshman with "potential but"...no surprises here.

I expect him to draft a junior/senior who can give us some insurance at any position.

I don't know if I would automatically assume Jones takes a finished product. He did take a raw project in Smith last season.

Honestly at 29 you just take the best guy available, at that point in the draft it's basically a win if the guy is still in the NBA by the end of their rookie contract.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Disagree.

At 29, teams should aim for high floor guys who will likely fill roles of need. It's also a spot where teams can take risk on players who are raw but has the traits to be successful.... And bank on developing them at a low salary.

I wasn't implying that the best player available would be some raw dude, more that I would advise against getting too worked up about positional fit. The reality is the vast majority or guys taken late first and second round simply never make it in the NBA. So if you can get an actual player there it's a win regardless of position. And the suns can use depth at any position. I see some draft the PG of the future talk and hey that would be great but most guys in the rang will be Ellie Okobo not Tony Parker.

My point about projects was against the notion that Jones wouldn't take one when he did exactly that last season. Actually the only thing I'd say his record shows on is he likes guys who can shoot. So I wouldn't expect a non shooter at 29.



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[Ghost of Kleine]

Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) Tweeted:
New on YouTube: ESPN Film Session with Ohio PG Jason Preston, one of the best pick-and-roll passers in the draft. https://t.co/zU3bo9Ugz5 https://t.co/oENWsOzb9h

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?s=20

Because a few latest big boards and mocks have us taking him at 29.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Since they also have Tre Mann mocked to us too.
Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) Tweeted:
New on YouTube: ESPN Film Session with shifty Florida guard Tre Mann. https://t.co/jnzVgTZO5b https://t.co/d9QpvKZN7f

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[bwgood77]

Bones Hyland is only a little over 6'3 but does have over a 6'9 wingspan. Pretty good TS%, more based on his 2pt%, which jumped to 54% this year...only 37% from 3. But a great defender.

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[Ghost of Kleine]

Bones Hyland is only a little over 6'3 but does have over a 6'9 wingspan. Pretty good TS%, more based on his 2pt%, which jumped to 54% this year...only 37% from 3. But a great defender.

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Not only that, But also this!

Jake (@jakeweingarten) Tweeted:
VCU’s Nah-Shon ‘Bones’ Hyland is one prospect who has been rising tons of draft boards with the NBA draft just one week away. Today, he hit 40/44 three-pointers in two minutes to cap off a workout. Another very impressive feat for the potential first-rounder. https://t.co/6IIPYCIX9n

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?s=20

[KountryWonder]

McBride is growing on me the more film I watch and think he could be a great sleeper. I see a Booker-lite with better D (not Books Defense now, but what it was coming out of Kentucky). There are a TON of guards in this draft with minimal differences (IMO) mocked between 23-40. With that said, if we could trade 29 to say OKC and pick up 2 or 3 2nds from them....then we could grab McBride or one of these guards and a big like Queta or Bassey (both of whom I really like cause the play with aggression and try to tear the rim off and play D

[Ghost of Kleine]

McBride is growing on me the more film I watch and think he could be a great sleeper. I see a Booker-lite with better D (not Books Defense now, but what it was coming out of Kentucky). There are a TON of guards in this draft with minimal differences (IMO) mocked between 23-40. With that said, if we could trade 29 to say OKC and pick up 2 or 3 2nds from them....then we could grab McBride or one of these guards and a big like Queta or Bassey (both of whom I really like cause the play with aggression and try to tear the rim off and play D

Good post!

I'm a big fan of Duece as well, Although for my part when reviewing him, I see a mix of Conley/ Lowry! He's a tank ( very strong like Lowry) and a consummate floor general and very good defender like a young Mike Conley. I'd love him for us at 29. But I also understand the value of trading back for more picks to address both our needs for a long athletic backup 5, And a solid guard option as well.

There are also some very good low risk/ high reward talent slated in the undrafted pool as well. Are you familiar with:

- EJ Onu
( Giannis 2.0).

- Sandro Mamukelashvili
( Jokic 2.0).

- Dejon Jarreau
( A 6'5 mix of Jrue Holiday and Dejounte Murray) with great playmaking.

- Moses Wright
( Montrez Harrell on steroids).

- Vrenz Bleijenbergh
( a 6'10 mix of Toni Kukoc/ Lamar Odom).

- McKinley Wright
(Ty Lawson 2.0 ).

- Sam Hauser
(smoother version of Bojan Bogdanovic for the Jazz).

- Jose Alvarado
( defensive clone of a young Chris Paul).

[Ghost of Kleine]

Evan Sidery (@esidery) Tweeted:
I’ve been told VCU combo guard Bones Hyland, who’s been a popular pick in mock drafts at No. 29, has not worked out for the Suns.

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[DirtyDez]

If both are available in really hoping they go McBride over Bones. Neither were on Gambo’s big-4.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Watch on YouTube

[Barkley6]

McBride is growing on me the more film I watch and think he could be a great sleeper. I see a Booker-lite with better D (not Books Defense now, but what it was coming out of Kentucky). There are a TON of guards in this draft with minimal differences (IMO) mocked between 23-40. With that said, if we could trade 29 to say OKC and pick up 2 or 3 2nds from them....then we could grab McBride or one of these guards and a big like Queta or Bassey (both of whom I really like cause the play with aggression and try to tear the rim off and play D

I definitely agree with this, there are like, 5+ guys, I like whereas in most drafts I'm praying 1 or 2 specific guys fall to us. It seems like there are a lot of good solid options for a young combo guard that can contribute in some way right away, which is frankly what we need the most out of this draft.

I don't think we'll look to add any extra picks unless we are planning on using one of our 2-way slots on that player, because we still need to make moves in FA and don't have an unlimited number of roster spots.

[Barkley6]

McBride is growing on me the more film I watch and think he could be a great sleeper. I see a Booker-lite with better D (not Books Defense now, but what it was coming out of Kentucky). There are a TON of guards in this draft with minimal differences (IMO) mocked between 23-40. With that said, if we could trade 29 to say OKC and pick up 2 or 3 2nds from them....then we could grab McBride or one of these guards and a big like Queta or Bassey (both of whom I really like cause the play with aggression and try to tear the rim off and play D

Just read the scouting report on McBride on nbadraft.net and WOW. Seems like all of his knocks are mostly just mental things that you'd expect from any rookie guard (needs to improve feel for the game, decision making, learn to control tempo, didn't take over the way he was capable often enough, etc.)

It also mentions that he's a hard worker which will fit in well with our culture.

Give him a couple seasons to work with Chris Paul and Devin Booker and we could have a REALLY good player.

I know I JUST posted that there are like 5+ guys I like, but he's the one I want now.

[KountryWonder]

McBride is growing on me the more film I watch and think he could be a great sleeper. I see a Booker-lite with better D (not Books Defense now, but what it was coming out of Kentucky). There are a TON of guards in this draft with minimal differences (IMO) mocked between 23-40. With that said, if we could trade 29 to say OKC and pick up 2 or 3 2nds from them....then we could grab McBride or one of these guards and a big like Queta or Bassey (both of whom I really like cause the play with aggression and try to tear the rim off and play D

I definitely agree with this, there are like, 5+ guys, I like whereas in most drafts I'm praying 1 or 2 specific guys fall to us. It seems like there are a lot of good solid options for a young combo guard that can contribute in some way right away, which is frankly what we need the most out of this draft.

I don't think we'll look to add any extra picks unless we are planning on using one of our 2-way slots on that player, because we still need to make moves in FA and don't have an unlimited number of roster spots.

When I mentioned there are a ton of guards and that trading 29 for multiple 2nd rd picks, was partially to help fill end of bench. A lot of players mocked in late 1st to mid 2nd look better than several we had on our bench and would be cheaper that Vet min. Plus, if they stick, unless they prove critical, they won't get Playoff burn anyways. Monty shortened his roster really quick this year.

[Barkley6]

McBride is growing on me the more film I watch and think he could be a great sleeper. I see a Booker-lite with better D (not Books Defense now, but what it was coming out of Kentucky). There are a TON of guards in this draft with minimal differences (IMO) mocked between 23-40. With that said, if we could trade 29 to say OKC and pick up 2 or 3 2nds from them....then we could grab McBride or one of these guards and a big like Queta or Bassey (both of whom I really like cause the play with aggression and try to tear the rim off and play D

I definitely agree with this, there are like, 5+ guys, I like whereas in most drafts I'm praying 1 or 2 specific guys fall to us. It seems like there are a lot of good solid options for a young combo guard that can contribute in some way right away, which is frankly what we need the most out of this draft.

I don't think we'll look to add any extra picks unless we are planning on using one of our 2-way slots on that player, because we still need to make moves in FA and don't have an unlimited number of roster spots.

When I mentioned there are a ton of guards and that trading 29 for multiple 2nd rd picks, was partially to help fill end of bench. A lot of players mocked in late 1st to mid 2nd look better than several we had on our bench and would be cheaper that Vet min. Plus, if they stick, unless they prove critical, they won't get Playoff burn anyways. Monty shortened his roster really quick this year.

I agree that this is a fairly deep draft in some positions (particularly combo guard). But I don't think that as a championship calibre team we are going to be carrying 2 rookies (particularly 2 second round picks) and a second year Stix. We need guys who can step up and contribute when called upon, particularly with Saric out for the year. The beauty of our roster this season, was that 1-14 we had NBA calibre players, guys who had proven they can survive in this league, and we saw that when called upon guys like Galloway, Moore, Carter, Nader, Frank were able to be effective, limited sure, but effective at the NBA level. Swapping out vets like that for 2nd round picks is tempting fate in terms of injuries to me.

[Jesus_H_Macy]

Does anyone remember around draft time last year a poster had found (either themselves or from some online source) a set of metrics that seemed to be what Jones was using to make his draft decisions? I can’t remember the details but IIRC Bridges, Johnson, Jerome, and Smith were all towards the top of that metrics set. Ring any bells for anyone? I’m curious how the players who are expected to be available around 29 rank on there.