Who does Phoenix pick ( * if there) at 29 and why?

[Ghost of Kleine]

The Phoenix suns are on an amazing run right now, And in the western conference finals. They'll likely be looking at the best available options for prospects than can contribute right away. Their two glaring needs though are clearly a backup point guard to eventually take the reigns when Paul leaves/ retires? And a legitimate athletic backup center that can provide rim protection/ frontcourt defense whenst Ayton sits.

Aside from that, They could of course go with BPA regardless of positional needs. But I'm interested in what prospects ( likely to be available at 29 or after) they should strongly consider and how you see that prospect fitting or contributing?

[Charm]

The Phoenix suns are on an amazing run right now, And in the western conference finals. They'll likely be looking at the best available options for prospects than can contribute right away. Their two glaring needs though are clearly a backup point guard to eventually take the reigns when Paul leaves/ retires? And a legitimate athletic backup center that can provide rim protection/ frontcourt defense whenst Ayton sits.

Aside from that, They could of course go with BPA regardless of positional needs. But I'm interested in what prospects ( likely to be available at 29 or after) they should strongly consider and how you see that prospect fitting or contributing?

Carter's a fairly competent two-way PG...I don't think you're going to find anyone better than him at 29, at least in terms of immediate impact. Cooper could be an interesting developmental piece if he slides, though, or maybe Carter's younger, bouncier successor at WVU (McBride).

At center, Jay Huff is sort of a boring pick, but he might be the right pick. Highly capable shot blocker, and he can play inside and outside on offense. Moses Wright is another center option who could provide immediate rotation minutes; more mobile/athletic but less of a sure thing to hit 3's.

[clyde21]

depends on if they bring Cp3 back, if he's back I'd take Cooper at 29 if he's available and just have him back up Cp3 the next 2-3 yrs and then have him take over after Cp3's gone.

otherwise it would've been a great spot for a guy like Davion but he's getting a bit overrated and will likely go earlier.

[Ghost of Kleine]

The Phoenix suns are on an amazing run right now, And in the western conference finals. They'll likely be looking at the best available options for prospects than can contribute right away. Their two glaring needs though are clearly a backup point guard to eventually take the reigns when Paul leaves/ retires? And a legitimate athletic backup center that can provide rim protection/ frontcourt defense whenst Ayton sits.

Aside from that, They could of course go with BPA regardless of positional needs. But I'm interested in what prospects ( likely to be available at 29 or after) they should strongly consider and how you see that prospect fitting or contributing?

Carter's a fairly competent two-way PG...I don't think you're going to find anyone better than him at 29, at least in terms of immediate impact. Cooper could be an interesting developmental piece if he slides, though, or maybe Carter's younger, bouncier successor at WVU (McBride).

At center, Jay Huff is sort of a boring pick, but he might be the right pick. Highly capable shot blocker, and he can play inside and outside on offense. Moses Wright is another center option who could provide immediate rotation minutes; more mobile/athletic but less of a sure thing to hit 3's.

I've got to say man, Very solid choices!
I'm actually pretty high on Huff as a center option given his 3 and D skillset. If he can add a bit of weight, strength, I think he'd be what the suns hoped Kaminsky might be! But definitely very solid!

And I'm also very high on Wright for his athleticism, tenacity, aggression, strength! All things that our finesse frontcourt ( aside from Ayton occasionally) has lacked for a while now. I also think that he'd be very solid in the pick 'n' roll, Especially with Paul! Both are what I consider great value picks with decent upside. All in all, Great choices to be sure!

[Ghost of Kleine]

depends on if they bring Cp3 back, if he's back I'd take Cooper at 29 if he's available and just have him back up Cp3 the next 2-3 yrs and then have him take over after Cp3's gone.

otherwise it would've been a great spot for a guy like Davion but he's getting a bit overrated and will likely go earlier.

Fully agree! I was actually just reviewing Cooper yesterday in the event of a potential trade scenario to try and move up a few spots with interest in him as well as Butler! But in watching tape on him, I was just thinking along the lines of what you pointed out. His most prominent issue seems to be his shooting struggles. But just imagine if Paul could mentor him for a yr or two. And could teach Cooper his floater and his unstoppable fadeaway midrange shot! As well as a few of his defensive strategies/ nuances, Cooper could be an allstar level guard for sure.

In that context, Cooper highly interests me! I'd just have to find a trade up scenario that could maybe get us into the early 20s' range I think??
Definitely a great choice man!

[Hal14]

depends on if they bring Cp3 back, if he's back I'd take Cooper at 29 if he's available and just have him back up Cp3 the next 2-3 yrs and then have him take over after Cp3's gone.

otherwise it would've been a great spot for a guy like Davion but he's getting a bit overrated and will likely go earlier.

Agreed.

If CP3 is back it makes way too much sense to draft Cooper and have CP3 mentor Cooper, teach him and enable him to be like him as much as possible. Then the Suns could be set at PG for along time (1-3 more years of CP3 and then 7+ years of Cooper), and they're already set for a long time at the 2 with Booker..

If Cooper is off the board, maybe go for a 4 man who they think could fit well alongside Ayton. Obviously a 4 with some speed and shot making ability. Someone like JT Thor, Isaiah Todd, Roko Prkacin or Greg Brown.

Or they just go for a safe pick, someone who you know what you're going to get from him. Just a solid guy with good fundamentals who you know would be able to help out off the bench like Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.

Or you just say, hey, 29th pick, we probably won't get someone who will start for us, so let's just get a guy who projects as the next Jamal Crawford / Vinnie Johnson type who can just come in off the bench, bring high energy and make a bunch of shots - Nah'Shon Hyland.

[babyjax13]

I think the answer is Sharife Cooper or Daishin Nix. Both look like really heady point guards and I can't imagine a better mentor than Paul for them.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I know that it's not really in our range at 29, Not that it's ever prevented Jones from taking whom he likes earlier than there listed projection. But IF Cooper is already off the board at 29, And the suns opt to go with a big and then select a development guard from the late 2nd to undrafted range, How do people feel about Jose Alvarado being selected to be mentored by Paul?

Would a combination ( if possible) of:

29- JT Thor/ Alvarado
Or
Trey Murphy 3rd/ Alvarado be considered a solid draft night???

Or perhaps McBride being mentored by Paul if Cooper was gone?

FWIW, IF Paul could really mentor/ teach either Abmas or Hyland to become better playmakers, I think either could become very solid and a draft night steal!

[Stillwater]

Assuming somebody with high upside does not fall that far, McBride or Hyland seem plausible as BPA guards there.
But I would think they will draft Kessler Edwards if he falls to them, his archetype seems to fit their M.O.

[Coeur]

Phoenix should trade the pick and 2 future picks for a pick high enough to get Jalen Johnson or Scottie Barnes

Those are the 2 guys that would be ideal for suns. Prob takes 5-15 pick


If okc has 3rd pick of theirs in the middle of the 1st maybe they’re into future picks

[Hal14]

I know that it's not really in our range at 29, Not that it's ever prevented Jones from taking whom he likes earlier than there listed projection. But IF Cooper is already off the board at 29, And the suns opt to go with a big and then select a development guard from the late 2nd to undrafted range, How do people feel about Jose Alvarado being selected to be mentored by Paul?

Would a combination ( if possible) of:

29- JT Thor/ Alvarado
Or
Trey Murphy 3rd/ Alvarado be considered a solid draft night???

Or perhaps McBride being mentored by Paul if Cooper was gone?

FWIW, IF Paul could really mentor/ teach either Abmas or Hyland to become better playmakers, I think either could become very solid and a draft night steal!

Thor, Murphy and McBride all sound like good options at 29 for the Suns. Roko Prkacin too..

[CP War Hawks]

Yep, I barely know of the roster construct but know pg for the present and future still needs to be addressed. Luckily for the Suns, this draft offer some very decent pgs in the late 20s, early 30s.

[Hal14]

Yep, I barely know of the roster construct but know pg for the present and future still needs to be addressed. Luckily for the Suns, this draft offer some very decent pgs in the late 20s, early 30s.

Yup. Cooper, McBride, Carton and maybe even Butler if he's still there. I doubt Butler is there at 29 but if he has then the Suns better run that card up there with his name on it fast. Same thing with Springer. Highly unlikely he'll still be there at 29 but if he is you take him.

I'd rate them:

1) McBride / Springer..on same tier. very close, debatable. i like both of them. obviously at 29, very slim chance they're both available so doesn't really matter who you rank over the other. If 1 of them is there you take him
3) Cooper / Carton...Carton isn slightly better defensively. Slightly bigger. Slightly better scorer. Both about the same outside shooting. Cooper much better play maker. Both really good ball handling. If I'm Suns I'd probably take Cooper cause Cooper is more likely CP3 so CP3 could help him out, mold him and mentor him more than he could for for a Carton (a 2 inch taller version of Iverson) but if Cooper is off the board I'm cool with taking Carton knowing it's a high ceiling pick

The above ranking were based on Butler, Mitchell, Giddey, etc all being gone in the first 28 picks

[Almost Retired]

Ayo Dosunmu might still be on the Board at 29. He'd be a decent pick for any team in that Range. Decent size. Can compete on both ends. Needs to improve his "3" Ball. But he's got an "it" factor. He's a leader. He's not afraid of big moments. His whole Illini team had a bad night against Loyola in the Tournament. I don't think they were well coached before and during that game. That game probably cost Ayo 10 slots in the Draft. But if he's still on the Board at 29 I'd Draft him in a heartbeat.