2018 Suns Pre-draft Workouts

[Cap]

Anyone else wish we would trade down from #1? I'm not sold on Ayton and there are still good players to be had.

Who are you sold on? Trading down only makes sense if you know the player you want is going to be available at the lower pick. Boston traded down because they liked Tatum better than Fultz and Ball (and Jackson, who was also considered a possibility for a top 2 pick), and knew they could get their guy at 3.

[iLLmatic]

Anyone else wish we would trade down from #1? I'm not sold on Ayton and there are still good players to be had.

Who are you sold on? Trading down only makes sense if you know the player you want is going to be available at the lower pick. Boston traded down because they liked Tatum better than Fultz and Ball (and Jackson, who was also considered a possibility for a top 2 pick), and knew they could get their guy at 3.

I'd happily take Bamba, JJJ, or Doncic.

[INFORMER]

Anyone else wish we would trade down from #1? I'm not sold on Ayton and there are still good players to be had.

I would welcome it. I feel like the Suns could land picks 3 and 8. I just want to pick in the top 4.

[INFORMER]

I really don't love this draft. Last year was the draft to acquire a 2nd pick.

Any particular reason why?

[Cap]

I really don't love this draft. Last year was the draft to acquire a 2nd pick.

Any particular reason why?

Did you like Markkanen, Shel? He’s the only one I feel we missed out on. Maybe Donovan Mitchell, but that’s not exactly our position of need. Whom would you have targeted with the 2nd pick? I mean at the time, not in hindsight. Be honest.

[Shabazz]

I'd be reluctant to move the pick. While I think it's definitely possible that someone other than Doncic or Ayton ends up as the best player in the draft, I think those two represent a level of certainty/have higher floors than the prospects projected below them. I also think both have higher ceilings.

I didn't feel the same way when it came to Fultz vs Ball vs Tatum, etc.

[Cap]

I'd be reluctant to move the pick. While I think it's definitely possible that someone other than Doncic or Ayton ends up as the best player in the draft, I think those two represent a level of certainty/have lower floors than the prospects projected below them. I also think both have higher ceilings.

I didn't feel the same way when it came to Fultz vs Ball vs Tatum, etc.

You mean higher floors, right?

[Shabazz]

I'd be reluctant to move the pick. While I think it's definitely possible that someone other than Doncic or Ayton ends up as the best player in the draft, I think those two represent a level of certainty/have lower floors than the prospects projected below them. I also think both have higher ceilings.

I didn't feel the same way when it came to Fultz vs Ball vs Tatum, etc.

You mean higher floors, right?

Yes. Thanks. Corrected.

[Superbone]

Don't try to get fancy. Just take Ayton and be done with it. If you want to be fancy, figure out a way to get Doncic too.

[specialsauce]

Thank you.

[JustWinBaby]

Don't try to get fancy. Just take Ayton and be done with it. If you want to be fancy, figure out a way to get Doncic too.

I agree

As much as I love the idea of Doncic I cannot imagine us passing on Ayton unless something horrible on him shows up prior to draft night. However I hope we use every asset that we have to try to get Doncic as well.

[Democritus]

To have Ayton and Doncic in the same draft is simple impossible. I dont think any GM will trade Doncic for JJ and some assets. Certainly we would not trade Doncic for JJ. So why assume others will do it?

[ShelC]

I really don't love this draft. Last year was the draft to acquire a 2nd pick.

Any particular reason why?

Did you like Markkanen, Shel? He’s the only one I feel we missed out on. Maybe Donovan Mitchell, but that’s not exactly our position of need. Whom would you have targeted with the 2nd pick? I mean at the time, not in hindsight. Be honest.

Last year I loved Tatum and Fox. Jackson was 3rd for me. I liked Mitchell, Adebayo, Bell, OG, Swanigan, Bacon, Semi and Brooks. I was unsure about Markkanen but saw the potential. I liked Fultz and Ball but knew they weren't realistic for us. I just felt like there was a ton of clear NBA talent, albeit very different talent, especially in the top 10. Tatum and Jackson are both swings, but have completely different games. Smith and Mitchell are similar but were so different from a guard like Frank. I just thought we could've added talent in different forms out of last year's draft.

This year, and maybe I just haven't studied up enough, I just don't feel like there are any "wow" guys. Guys who really stand out. Everyone looks amazing in highlights, but when I watched JJJ and Bagley, I didn't feel great about them at an NBA level. I'm still unsure about Ayton and his IQ and defense. Bamba's a guy who can make a GM look great or get him fired. Same with Trae Young. Wendell Carter is solid, if unspectacular. The Bridges....meh. I like SGA but he needs to get stronger. Porter and Doncic are true basketball players and the only two, on paper, I feel confident about. But Porter has health questions and Doncic may not be able to do in the NBA what he did in Europe. So both of those guys have question marks.

Looked back on some threads...here's a good page:

http://www.phx-suns.net/viewtopic.php?f ... tum#p86839

Some talk about Tatum, our roster, how the pieces fit, how McD's drafted. Marty...that take on us vs the Sixers

[O_Gardino]

I really don't love this draft. Last year was the draft to acquire a 2nd pick.

Any particular reason why?

Did you like Markkanen, Shel? He’s the only one I feel we missed out on. Maybe Donovan Mitchell, but that’s not exactly our position of need. Whom would you have targeted with the 2nd pick? I mean at the time, not in hindsight. Be honest.

Last year I loved Tatum and Fox. Jackson was 3rd for me. I liked Mitchell, Adebayo, Bell, OG, Swanigan, Bacon, Semi and Brooks. I was unsure about Markkanen but saw the potential. I liked Fultz and Ball but knew they weren't realistic for us. I just felt like there was a ton of clear NBA talent, albeit very different talent, especially in the top 10. Tatum and Jackson are both swings, but have completely different games. Smith and Mitchell are similar but were so different from a guard like Frank. I just thought we could've added talent in different forms out of last year's draft.

This year, and maybe I just haven't studied up enough, I just don't feel like there are any "wow" guys. Guys who really stand out. Everyone looks amazing in highlights, but when I watched JJJ and Bagley, I didn't feel great about them at an NBA level. I'm still unsure about Ayton and his IQ and defense. Bamba's a guy who can make a GM look great or get him fired. Same with Trae Young. Wendell Carter is solid, if unspectacular. The Bridges....meh. I like SGA but he needs to get stronger. Porter and Doncic are true basketball players and the only two, on paper, I feel confident about. But Porter has health questions and Doncic may not be able to do in the NBA what he did in Europe. So both of those guys have question marks.

Looked back on some threads...here's a good page:

http://www.phx-suns.net/viewtopic.php?f ... tum#p86839

Some talk about Tatum, our roster, how the pieces fit, how McD's drafted. Marty...that take on us vs the Sixers

I don't think Mrty was too far off. At that point, the only real guard the 6ers had was McConnell, and he hadn't turned the corner yet. Looking back on the layoffs this year, the 6ers greatest need was still at PG. If you think the 6ers drafted better than us, please remember all the lottery picks they threw away before landing Embiid and Simmons, both of whom were obvious choices.

[Superbone]

Ayton is in today:
https://twitter.com/sbordow/status/1004196426635665408

[In2ition]

Ayton is in today:
https://twitter.com/sbordow/status/1004196426635665408

Apparently, he is working out as we speak.

[carey]

Ayton is in today:

You're the last person I thought would Carey me!

[O_Gardino]

Ayton is in today:

You're the last person I thought would Carey me!

[Superbone]

Ayton is in today:

You're the last person I thought would Carey me!

Did I? Still don't see it. Carey on!

[carey]

McDonough is on live at Suns.com/now

He said more candidates for #1 will be in this week.