Official Draft Discussion Thread

[Miklo]

As a few have mentioned, it seems time to start an official draft thread.



Suns' Picks

-Round 1 - currently would be pick # 14
-Round 1 via - currently would be pick # 23

no round 2 picks


Prospects (in current nbadraft.net mock draft order)

in this format:
(pick #). Prospect Name
Height
Weight
Position
University attended
Year in college


1. Jared Sullinger
6-9
286
PF
Ohio State
Fr.

2. Derrick William
6-9
241
SF/PF
Arizona
So.

3. Perry Jones
6-11
235
SF
Baylor
Fr.

4. Kyrie Irving
6-2
172
PG
Duke
Fr.

5. Enes Kanter
6-11
261
PF/C
Kentucky
Fr.

6. Terrence Jones
6-8
244
SF
Kentucky
Fr.

7. Donatas Motiejunas
7-0
224
PF
Lithuania
Intl.

8. Kawhi Leonard
6-7
225
SF
San Diego St.
So.

9. Trey Thompkins
6-10
247
PF
Georgia
Jr.

10. Tyler Honeycutt
6-8
185
SG/SF
UCLA
So.

11. Jimmer Fredette
6-2
195
PG
BYU
Sr.

12. Alec Burks
6-6
191
PG/SG
Colorado
So.

13. Jan Vesely
6-11
230
SF/PF
Czech Republic
Intl.

14. Tristan Thompson
6-9
225
PF
Texas
Fr.

15. Jordan Hamilton
6-7
226
SG/SF
Texas
So.

16. Brandon Knight
6-3
185
PG/SG
Kentucky
Fr.

17. Marcus Morris
6-9
218
PF
Kansas
Jr.

18. Chris Singleton
6-9
225
SF/PF
Florida St.
Jr.

19. Jonas Valanciunas
6-11
240
C
Lithuania
Intl.

20. Kenneth Faried
6-8
225
PF
Morehead St.
Sr.

21. Kris Joseph
6-7
217
SF
Syracuse
Jr.

22. Lucas Nogueira
7-0
200
PF/C
Brazil
Intl.

23. Kemba Walker
6-0
179
PG
UConn
Jr.

24. Markieff Morris
6-9
230
PF
Kansas
Jr.

25. Kyle Singler
6-9
237
SF
Duke
Sr.

26. Tobias Harris
6-8
225
SF
Tennessee
Fr.

27. Jordan Williams
6-10
260
PF
Maryland
So.

28. Marshon Brooks
6-5
190
SG
Providence
Sr.

29. Nolan Smith
6-3
189
PG/SG
Duke
Sr.

30. JaJuan Johnson
6-10
221
PF
Purdue
Sr.

31. Demetri McCamey
6-3
203
PG
Illinois
Sr.

32. LaceDarius Dunn
6-4
200
SG
Baylor
Sr.

33. David Lighty
6-6
220
SG
Ohio State
Sr.

34. Malcolm Lee
6-5
175
PG/SG
UCLA
Jr.

35. Jeremy Tyler
6-10
245
PF
USA
Intl.

[DRK]

Where are the Plumlee brothers from Duke? Have they declared? Some mocks dont have their names, but others do.

[Miklo]

Where are the Plumlee brothers from Duke? Have they declared? Some mocks dont have their names, but others do.

Neither one has declared yet...I don't think Miles would declare but there's a chance Mason will. I think that could still go either way though.

Duke is the only place where I'm even remotely connected so I'll see if I hear anything.

[Moochiefried]

I think that we can get some real gems with our two picks in the first round. Potential players, and role players that can come in and play minutes will both be there in the mid first round. After the top couple picks, it's anyones guess to how the draft will be picked, so I'll just list players that I'm a fan of that we could possibly be in range to get at both spots.

PHX Pick:
Jimmer Fredette - I wonder how high he'll actually go after draft combines. Might be able to get him with the Orlando pick, if scouts are turned off by his lack of "upside". I really do see a lot of Steph Curry in him, he has unbelievable range on his jumper, and gets to the line and a very good rate, so he's not just a one dimensional shooter. If he was under Nash's wing, I wonder if he might be able to develop some sweet point guard skills too, but as of right now he is a pretty good passer. People underrate his athleticism too, he's got a sweet first step.
John Henson - He has one of the best upsides in the draft. Huge wingspan, and elite athleticism and mobility. Could be a great pick and roll partner for Nash
Kemba Walker - Walker is a fast as they come, and with his aggressive style and ability to blow by practically anyone, he has potential to be a quality point guard ... He will need to learn to let the game come to him better, and his size might scare off some GMs ... His pull-up game, quickness and playmaking ability however can make him into an effective player, regardless of his size ..

Orlando Pick:
Brandon Knight - If we pickup a big somewhere else, Knight would be a great addition for the point guard position. He might not wow you with his crazy leaping ability, but he is seriously fast and is a flat out baller. He's the next in a line of Calapari point guards, and I think he is really under valued in this draft. Might not have the upside of Rose or Evans, but is a better shooter and is putting up similar numbers at the college level.
Lucas Nogueira - UPSIDE ALERT, I assume he wouldn't come over for a couple years, but he might be a huge steal.
Tyler Honeycutt - Big guard, with great potential. Just really fluid for a guy his size. Is a nice rebounder for a guard, and is a good ball handler. Needs to put it all together, but could be really good.
Kris Joseph - Gets up and down the court really well, would be sweet in our system. Been putting up good numbers, and has really improved his shot this year.

[DirtyDez]

I'm really hoping D-Will stays another year.

GO CATS

[mikefly3113]

If Kawhi Leonard or Jimmer falls to us with our pick I would snag one of them they are two of the bpa available in the draft. I would love brandon knight with the orlando pick, he is an underrated pg. I say with both picks to draft bpa.

[Nando88]

[GD2]

Great idea by everyone suggesting we draft Freddette. Of all the things we need, another PG is at the top of the list.

[Miklo]

Haha, that's what I thought of the first time I heard his name

[Miklo]

Where are the Plumlee brothers from Duke? Have they declared? Some mocks dont have their names, but others do.

Neither one has declared yet...I don't think Miles would declare but there's a chance Mason will. I think that could still go either way though.

Duke is the only place where I'm even remotely connected so I'll see if I hear anything.

Alright so from what I'm hearing both Plumlees will be a no go for declaring this year. Neither one would have good enough draft value, Mason's is a lot lower than some thought it would be before the season.

Another thing I picked up, but this is probably more speculative, was doubt as to whether Kyrie Irving will even declare. All mocks and experts still talk about him as if he's a lock for top 5 pick but, I guess it sounds to me like some within the Duke community believe there will be plenty of factors leading him away from declaring. The injury, potential lockout, wanting to team with Austin Rivers if they don't win this year, etc.

Obviously any "rumors" about whether players will declare or not have to be taken with a grain of salt as it will in reality come down to the player's own decision after the season.

[Wannabe MEP]

Another thing I picked up, but this is probably more speculative, was doubt as to whether Kyrie Irving will even declare. All mocks and experts still talk about him as if he's a lock for top 5 pick but, I guess it sounds to me like some within the Duke community believe there will be plenty of factors leading him away from declaring. The injury, potential lockout, wanting to team with Austin Rivers if they don't win this year, etc.

Obviously any "rumors" about whether players will declare or not have to be taken with a grain of salt as it will in reality come down to the player's decision after the season.

Hey Miklo, what did you think of Kendall Marshall? Somewhat under-the-radar. Incredible passer. I like the idea of waiting around for one of these Tobacco Road freshman point guards.

[Miklo]

Yeah I've always liked Kendall's game as well. He and Kyrie both, yeah, look to expand quite nicely into the NBA with their combo guard skills.

I actually lived in Chapel Hill for years up through HS so I end up watching plenty of UNC ball even though I'm a diehard Dukie, are you/were you just there for Carolina or did you go to high school there as well?

[Wannabe MEP]

Yeah I've always liked Kendall's game as well. He and Kyrie both, yeah, look to expand quite nicely into the NBA with their combo guard skills.

I actually lived in Chapel Hill for years up through HS so I end up watching plenty of UNC ball even though I'm a diehard Dukie, are you/were you just there for Carolina or did you go to high school there as well?

undergrad ASU (was there when Nash arrived...fan for life). masters in Chapel Hill. 2 1/2 years in the area. Where'd you go to high school?

Crazy rivarly. It's awesome. My wife's a Carolina grad, but her fam is a house divided. Her dad is a huge basketball fan. He literally moved halfway in between the two schools purely because he loved both basketball teams.

[Miklo]

Yeah I've always liked Kendall's game as well. He and Kyrie both, yeah, look to expand quite nicely into the NBA with their combo guard skills.

I actually lived in Chapel Hill for years up through HS so I end up watching plenty of UNC ball even though I'm a diehard Dukie, are you/were you just there for Carolina or did you go to high school there as well?

undergrad ASU (was there when Nash arrived...fan for life). masters in Chapel Hill. 2 1/2 years in the area. Where'd you go to high school?

Crazy rivarly. It's awesome. My wife's a Carolina grad, but her fam is a house divided. Her dad is a huge basketball fan. He literally moved halfway in between the two schools purely because he loved both basketball teams.

I went to middle school then Chapel Hill High there before I went down to Atlanta for college. Yeah the rivalry is amazing, it was wild growing up a Duke fan in Chapel Hill. I gave and took my fair share of trash talk, I remember one of the times Duke beat UNC I dyed my hair Duke blue for school the next day. Good times. My Dad went to Duke which is why it's so ingrained in me.

I will admit that I took place in festivities on Franklin Street a couple times after UNC beat Duke but it was cause they were at UNC and I was at the game with UNC fans I swear!

[DRK]

Where are the Plumlee brothers from Duke? Have they declared? Some mocks dont have their names, but others do.

Neither one has declared yet...I don't think Miles would declare but there's a chance Mason will. I think that could still go either way though.

Duke is the only place where I'm even remotely connected so I'll see if I hear anything.

Okay. Cheers.

I really like Mason's game. If he were to declare, I would be interested in picking him up with the Orlando pick,(hoping he drops that far), leaving us to pick up a guard with our own pick.

[Miklo]

I actually think you missed my post a few posts later about the Plumlees and Kyrie - obviously anything at this point is rumors but from what I hear you may be out of luck on the Mason Plumlee thing

[Moochiefried]

If Jonas Valanciunas is available with the Phoenix pick, I would definately take him. NBA Draft isn't too high on him so hes within our range on that site, but Draftexpress and many other scouts have him as a top 5 pick.

[DRK]

I actually think you missed my post a few posts later about the Plumlees and Kyrie - obviously anything at this point is rumors but from what I hear you may be out of luck on the Mason Plumlee thing

Just read it then. Didn't notice it before. My mistake.

If Jonas Valanciunas is available with the Phoenix pick, I would definately take him. NBA Draft isn't too high on him so hes within our range on that site, but Draftexpress and many other scouts have him as a top 5 pick.

So would I, but I think he's more of a Center than a Power Forward. I don't think he's quick enough, or has a good enough jumper to play as a PF. We're already pretty stacked at the center position too.

[ma_falaa_50]

there was this kid who score 40 and had 20 boards plus 9 assists, did u guys get his name and what do u guys think. I heard that he is the second best point prospect outside of kyrie irving.

[DRK]

Another prospect I would like to take with our own pick.

Patric Young. 6'9", 220lbs. PF/C

The main post presence of this USA basketball squad, Patric Young confirmed much of what we wrote about him a few months ago at the McDonald's All-American game and even showed a few more wrinkles to his game.

He's still the same exceptionally gifted big man from a physical standpoint. He has a chiseled frame and excellent athleticism, making him a significant presence on the offensive glass and on the defensive end. He showed more flashes offensively than we thought he would, though, executing some interesting post moves, knocking down a mid-range jumper, passing intelligently out of double teams and finishing extremely well through contact.

It will be interesting to see how this translates next season when he plays for Florida. He's looking more and more like a top prospect at this point, especially when taking into consideration his rock-solid intangibles.

From a physical standpoint, there may not have been a more impressive player in attendance at the McDonald’s game than Florida commit Patric Young. He has good size at around 6-9, sports an incredibly chiseled frame and is a very good athlete on top of that, looking mobile and explosive, making him a fairly rare commodity.

Young doesn’t seem to have any misconceptions about the type of player he is, which is a very good sign considering his profile. He’s a force on the interior thanks to his terrific physical attributes, showing great toughness and a high intensity level, and having no problem throwing his weight around in the paint to get the job done. He rarely strays out onto the perimeter and doesn’t seem too eager to show off his skill-level, showing a solid feel for the game and being very team oriented.



From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Pat ... z1DqHXGKE7
http://www.draftexpress.com


Young will be able to contribute from day one in the SEC as a Kendrick Perkins-type rebounder, defender, screen-setter and finisher around the basket, as he’s very effective in all those areas already and seems to have no problem playing that role.
He’ll need to continue to round out his skill-set as his career progresses, though, which means improving his polish as a back to the basket scorer, developing his countermoves, improving his ability to step away from the basket on both ends of the floor, and improving his passing ability and all-around basketball IQ. That’s something you could say about pretty much any big man his age, and Young seems to have the work ethic and intangibles needed to do it.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Patric-Young-5746/

I love the part about where he could be a "Kendrick Perkins-type rebounder and defender." That is exactly what we need.