The Draft (Postseason Edition): 1/16/31/59 (NEW POLL)

[King4Day]

According to Spanish media, Sarver was in Madrid today watching Doncic.

Oh crud. That's all we need--the owner scouting players.

Perhaps McD told him that if we land the #1 pick, this is the guy he wants to take. So Sarver wants to make sure it's the right move (outside of taking the product of Arizona)

[Saberestar]

In his first NBA Mock Draft, Scott Bordow shows the Suns addressing both C and PG in the draft.

1. Suns (21-61): Deandre Ayton
Center, 7-0, 260 pounds, Arizona

Comment: Phoenix needs a point guard as well, so Slovenia’s Luka Doncic will be part of the conversation. But General Manager Ryan McDonough has said center is a “slightly higher” priority and NBA scouts have compared Ayton to Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Suns can always find guards and wing players in free agency. But a physically dominant center who fits today’s NBA game? How can the Suns pass that up?

16. Suns (21-61) via Heat: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Guard, 6-6, 180, Kentucky

Comment: If Gilgeous-Alexander falls here, Suns fans should be thrilled. He’s not a great shooter – yet – but he can defend, get to the basket and set up teammates.

With Brandon Knight returning from knee surgery, Gilgeous-Alexander can be brought along slowly but eventually emerge as the long-term solution at point guard beside Devin Booker.

https://amp.azcentral.com/amp/516781002?__twitter_impression=true

[kennydorglas]

Hard to watch those Luka's highlights and dont feel ecstatic.
He's unbelievably coordinated and efficient for a 19yo kid.

[JMac1]

Not even asking for the 1st first pick, just top two.

[Revived]

I know there were people that thought we should trade for Whiteside...god I hope that never happens.

He’s being completely exposed right now and that’s despite Embiid not even playing!!

He’s awful at defending the perimeter and the stretch 4s for Philly are killing him.

He can’t play in the new revolutionized NBA.

[thamadkant]

Embiid cant guard the perimeter either... same as Whiteside..

The biggest difference is Whiteside is lazy offensively and bad hands

[thamadkant]

Not even asking for the 1st first pick, just top two.

thus you shall receive pick 3

[phx#7]

Not even asking for the 1st first pick, just top two.

thus you shall receive pick 3

I'd be thrilled with one of Ayton, Doncic or Young. My concern is the narrative will not have Young in the top 4 so it will be really disappointing not to get a top 2 then have to watch us pass on Young.

[bwgood77]

Not even asking for the 1st first pick, just top two.

thus you shall receive pick 3

I'd be thrilled with one of Ayton, Doncic or Young. My concern is the narrative will not have Young in the top 4 so it will be really disappointing not to get a top 2 then have to watch us pass on Young.

Yeah, that's my worry. I think I'd HAVE to go with Young at 3 because I don't think the defensive pressure he faced in college can be understated, and although he had some glaring weaknesses, his potential strengths are SO high that it almost doesn't matter because despite the weaknesses, the net impact is so much larger than anyone else anyway. It would open up our offense so much.

I wouldn't totally mind Jaren Jackson, especially if we have a coach like Bud, but it certainly wouldn't be as exciting as one of the top two, or Trae.

But yeah, I've kind of gotten to the point where I don't expect us to take Trae anywhere in the top 4.

[DirtyDez]

Young will be there at 4 too.

[bwgood77]

Young will be there at 4 too.

Yeah, that's the silver lining of drafting 4, but not if you don't expect management to take him there.

[Villalobos]

Young will be there at 4 too.

Unless Orlando gets #3.

[sunsfever68]

Young is short and doesn't play defense. He'll be better in the NBA than in college but him and Booker together would give up as many points and we would score.

[bwgood77]

A Memphis blogger is hoping they take Young at 3 or 4 if they are there...interesting article here... https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2018/4/12/17217330/memphis-grizzlies-should-believe-in-trae-young-stephen-curry-nba-ncaa-oklahoma-kansas-westbrook

[JMac1]

A Memphis blogger is hoping they take Young at 3 or 4 if they are there...interesting article here... https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2018/4/12/17217330/memphis-grizzlies-should-believe-in-trae-young-stephen-curry-nba-ncaa-oklahoma-kansas-westbrook

Read that earlier today. Made me feel a little better. Hopefully other will come around. I think Bagley goes 3.

[darealjuice]

Yeah, that's the silver lining of drafting 4, but not if you don't expect management to take him there. But perhaps darealjuice will make a compelling case in a draft prospect write up and McD will read it and give it strong consideration if we end up dropping to 3 or 4.

Lol if McDonough is making draft picks based on my short ass write ups with no film he needs to get the hell out of our GM office

Give yourself more credit than that. Obviously it was tongue in cheek, but they do read everything, and you provide very solid detailed information.

A Memphis blogger is hoping they take him at 3 or 4 if they are there...interesting article here... https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2018/4/12/17217330/memphis-grizzlies-should-believe-in-trae-young-stephen-curry-nba-ncaa-oklahoma-kansas-westbrook

I don't doubt they read stuff, but I can't imagine that I'd say anything they haven't already had well-documented, and then some.

I'm certainly a fan of Trae if we drop though. I'd be worried about Trae and Booker's defense in the back court, but I think we can build a team that works with Josh if we chase a good rim protecting center and a 3-and-D power forward. Booker seems to be interested in improving too, so hopefully he makes that happen.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Hard to watch those Luka's highlights and dont feel ecstatic.
He's unbeliavably coordinated and efficient for a 19yo kid.

Yeah dude. Its just so clear watching him that he has a natural feel and ultra high understanding of the game. Some guys just know how to play.

He just has that look of a dude who you can give the ball to at the end of a game and he's going to do the right thing.

[Sunzgunz]

Just want top 2. Just think Doncic and Ayton are a step above the rest

Individually I give Ayton the nod over Doncic. But I do think Mitchell Robinson, who is more likely to be available than Shai, has the potential to be a steal in this draft. With that said, a Doncic Tandem may be more impacting and probable.

Here is my 1st round wish list with my own guesstimation on roster impact, probability with our #1 & #16 picks and probability with a trade (sorry, bored y’all ):

1) Deandre Ayton/Doncic (1-4) – Impact: 100% - Probability: 0% - Trade Probability: 5%
NOTES: Doncic should go 1-4, Chances of getting back in the top 4 are nearly none, but if he falls past 4, we better be making phone calls with every team thereafter.

2) Deandre Ayton/Trae Young (6-11) – Impact: 96% - Probability: 1% - Trade Probability: 25%
NOTES: Wow! Dre packs them in, Trae spreads them out. Trae goes between 6-11, if he’s there at 10, we better be making phone calls with every team thereafter.

3) Deandre Ayton/Collin Sexton(8-13) – Impact: 93% - Probability: 15-20% - Trade Probability: N/A
NOTES: Collin goes 8-13, he’s a hybrid, but may give us the most athletic bookends in the business. Unless Shai is gone, or it’s a minor 1-3 spot jump, there’s no need to entertain trade ideas.

4) Deandre Ayton/Shai Gilgeous Alexander(10-15) – Impact: 93% - Probability: 75% - Trade Probability: N/A
NOTES: I like Shai’s ceiling. Long term, I prefer him slightly over Collin. I wouldn’t mind a minor 1-3 spot jump if it secures this tandem.

5) Luka Doncic/Mitchell Robinson(15-24) – Impact: 92% - Probability: 90% - Trade Probability: N/A
NOTES: Mitchell could be the steal of this draft, if so, Luka and Mitchell could be a better tandem than Deandre with anyone minus the options above.

While I love options 1-3, 4 and 5 are extremely realistic and I'll be ecstatic with either! ...Let's go 4 or 5!

[WeekapaugGroove]

Lol if McDonough is making draft picks based on my short ass write ups with no film he needs to get the hell out of our GM office

Give yourself more credit than that. Obviously it was tongue in cheek, but they do read everything, and you provide very solid detailed information.

A Memphis blogger is hoping they take him at 3 or 4 if they are there...interesting article here... https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2018/4/12/17217330/memphis-grizzlies-should-believe-in-trae-young-stephen-curry-nba-ncaa-oklahoma-kansas-westbrook

I don't doubt they read stuff, but I can't imagine that I'd say anything they haven't already had well-documented, and then some.

I'm certainly a fan of Trae if we drop though. I'd be worried about Trae and Booker's defense in the back court, but I think we can build a team that works with Josh if we chase a good rim protecting center and a 3-and-D power forward. Booker seems to be interested in improving too, so hopefully he makes that happen.

To me drafting young 3 or 4 is all about risk tolerance. If you're comfortable rolling the dice that he could be the next curry but also could be the next Trey Burke then make the pick.

Personally I don't think I could do it at 3. I'd take JJJ and build my defence around him. To be a true contender they need to get so much better in that side of the ball and with booker as your best player you will need good defenders around him. I think its a lock that he's an elite defender very early in his NBA career.

At 4 it gets interesting. I don't think I could kill the suns for anyone here because they are all such 'eye of the beholder' prospects. I wouldn't take porter but dude has tallent and could be awesome. I wouldn't take Bagley either but if you could make some moves and build the right group around him he could be the right pick. I like carter a lot and could get behind that pick but I get that its a reach. That leaves bamba and young, two guys that scare the hell out of me but I think have huge upsides. My decision would come down to if I could trade for a good pg without giving up this pick if I could I go bamba if not then i roll the dice on young.

[Mr Puddles]

Inspired by a similar Memphis trade on the RealGM trade board. If the Cavs go full rebuild, would you consider:

Love + #8

for

#2 + #31 + Knight

We could likely draft Young or Bamba at #8:

Young
Booker
Jackson
Love
Bender

Or

Sexton (#16)
Booker
Jackson
Love
Bamba

- I personally wouldn't do it if Doncic is still available, but it's still intriguing IMO