With the FIRST pick in the 2018 NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns select...

[jonh]

The least it would be is Warren + 16 + 31 + a good future pick + take back salary. I'd do it in a heartbeat for Doncic.

But Woj seems convinced that someone ATL, MEM, and DAL are all open to trading their picks. Maybe something happens

I don't think it would take Warren when the Suns would be taking back an extra $25M in salary for 2019-20.

Whatever it takes. Do it!

Trading our first round pick next year would be a really cool way of betting on ourselves--especially for someone like McD, who I believe considers picks to be sacred. It would send a really strong signal that management believes in these players, and are ready to start winning now.

With that said, Im not sure how many wins the team would actually get running 2 rookies in the starting lineup.

Barring FA/trades
Knight/Ullis
Booker/Reed?
Doncic/Jackson
Jackson/Bender/Chriss
Ayton/Chandler/Williams

How many wins does that team get? I would guess 35.

[O_Gardino]

But Woj seems convinced that someone ATL, MEM, and DAL are all open to trading their picks.

Where is this coming from?

He mentions it a couple of times in this mock draft, starting around the 2:40 mark:

[youtube][/youtube]

[atlanta's] pick is going to be in play. There are a lot of teams eager, in this draft, in the lottery, to try to move up. And, I think, from 3 / 4 / 5, you're going to see a lot of conversation.

[In2ition]

The least it would be is Warren + 16 + 31 + a good future pick + take back salary. I'd do it in a heartbeat for Doncic.

But Woj seems convinced that someone ATL, MEM, and DAL are all open to trading their picks. Maybe something happens

I don't think it would take Warren when the Suns would be taking back an extra $25M in salary for 2019-20.

Whatever it takes. Do it!

Trading our first round pick next year would be a really cool way of betting on ourselves--especially for someone like McD, who I believe considers picks to be sacred. It would send a really strong signal that management believes in these players, and are ready to start winning now.

With that said, Im not sure how many wins the team would actually get running 2 rookies in the starting lineup.

Barring FA/trades
Knight/Ullis
Booker/Reed?
Doncic/Jackson
Jackson/Bender/Chriss
Ayton/Chandler/Williams

How many wins does that team get? I would guess 35.

You could be right, but the way I see it the Suns had a roster made to lose by design, had a coach that couldn't do anything but give out hugs and quote Wooden. Now they upgrade essentially(with off-season improvement) 5 positions, bring in a coach who has paid his dues, seen and coached many different ways to play offensively and defensively, caters his style to his personal, has the front office putting together a team that fits together including trades and free agents, addressed the roster holes and weaknesses with 2 of the best players to come to the NBA through the draft in a long while, but it only gets you 14 wins more?

[O_Gardino]

The least it would be is Warren + 16 + 31 + a good future pick + take back salary. I'd do it in a heartbeat for Doncic.

But Woj seems convinced that someone ATL, MEM, and DAL are all open to trading their picks. Maybe something happens

I don't think it would take Warren when the Suns would be taking back an extra $25M in salary for 2019-20.

Whatever it takes. Do it!

Trading our first round pick next year would be a really cool way of betting on ourselves--especially for someone like McD, who I believe considers picks to be sacred. It would send a really strong signal that management believes in these players, and are ready to start winning now.

With that said, Im not sure how many wins the team would actually get running 2 rookies in the starting lineup.

Barring FA/trades
Knight/Ullis
Booker/Reed?
Doncic/Jackson
Jackson/Bender/Chriss
Ayton/Chandler/Williams

How many wins does that team get? I would guess 35.

Agreed. That's what those folks are talking about who keep bringing up the need for a real basketball talent to run the offense and get everyone involved.

[Cap]

It Looks Like the Suns Have Made Up Their Minds About Deandre Ayton
The former Arizona Wildcat seems like he’ll be remaining in the state

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/6/7/ ... draft-2018

Looking at the long highlight video in that article, it appears that Ayton doesn’t often use that 44” vertical he reportedly has. I didn’t notice a single play where the top of his head got above the rim.

[ShelC]

I sure hope we don't draft Brook Lopez.

[Cap]

I sure hope we don't draft Brook Lopez.

Huh?


Doncic highlight reel:

[youtube][/youtube]

Not saying we should pick him over Ayton, but man would that kid be fun to have.

[O_Gardino]

The 70's cop-movie music really makes the video.

[youtube][/youtube]

[SDC]

I sure hope we don't draft Brook Lopez.

Huh?


Doncic highlight reel:

[youtube][/youtube]

Not saying we should pick him over Ayton, but man would that kid be fun to have.

that's the best highlight reel of luka i have seen. shows him easily driving by his defenders.

But we know better...

[Cap]

I sure hope we don't draft Brook Lopez.

Huh?


Doncic highlight reel:

[youtube][/youtube]

Not saying we should pick him over Ayton, but man would that kid be fun to have.

that's the best highlight reel of luka i have seen. shows him easily driving by his defenders.

And blocking shots, and making behind-the-back assists, and doing the Jordan change-shooting-hands-in-the-air thing, and some devastating crossovers, and hitting from 80 feet.

[Superbone]

The least it would be is Warren + 16 + 31 + a good future pick + take back salary. I'd do it in a heartbeat for Doncic.

But Woj seems convinced that someone ATL, MEM, and DAL are all open to trading their picks. Maybe something happens

I don't think it would take Warren when the Suns would be taking back an extra $25M in salary for 2019-20.

Whatever it takes. Do it!

Trading our first round pick next year would be a really cool way of betting on ourselves--especially for someone like McD, who I believe considers picks to be sacred. It would send a really strong signal that management believes in these players, and are ready to start winning now.

With that said, Im not sure how many wins the team would actually get running 2 rookies in the starting lineup.

Barring FA/trades
Knight/Ullis
Booker/Reed?
Doncic/Jackson
Jackson/Bender/Chriss
Ayton/Chandler/Williams

How many wins does that team get? I would guess 35.

Perfect. After last season, I'd gladly take 35 wins next season as we start our ascent into a winning, playoff basketball team. I'd expect to make the playoffs the following season.

[Superbone]

But Woj seems convinced that someone ATL, MEM, and DAL are all open to trading their picks.

Where is this coming from?

He mentions it a couple of times in this mock draft, starting around the 2:40 mark:

[youtube][/youtube]

[atlanta's] pick is going to be in play. There are a lot of teams eager, in this draft, in the lottery, to try to move up. And, I think, from 3 / 4 / 5, you're going to see a lot of conversation.

Unfortunately, Luka is already gone in that scenario at 3/4/5. And I think they're probably right. I don't see Sac passing on Doncic.

[O_Gardino]

But Woj seems convinced that someone ATL, MEM, and DAL are all open to trading their picks.

Where is this coming from?

He mentions it a couple of times in this mock draft, starting around the 2:40 mark:

[youtube][/youtube]

[atlanta's] pick is going to be in play. There are a lot of teams eager, in this draft, in the lottery, to try to move up. And, I think, from 3 / 4 / 5, you're going to see a lot of conversation.

Unfortunately, Luka is already gone in that scenario at 3/4/5. And I think they're probably right. I don't see Sac passing on Doncic.

I agree that Luka will likely be gone. That's why I would grab Doncic at #1 and trade up for Bamba. BUT, if Porter's back checks out, maybe you trade up and grab MPJ.

[wpmiller42]

I think I could see a scenario where Doncic falls as far as to Dallas. I think Sacramento is mismanaged enough that they could envision a logjam with Fox and pass on him. Atlanta has a huge need for frontcourt players, so maybe they talk themselves out of Doncic? Maybe Memphis is still sold on Conley, so they pass, but there's no way he gets by Dallas in my opinion. Sacramento will take him if they're smart, assuming we don't pick him.

[AmareIsGod]

Those Doncic highlights were pretty awesome! Though 3 or 4 of those plays , the defender(s) looked like they were wearing cement shoes and made terrible efforts (hey, kind of like NBA defenders today!).

[In2ition]

I think that Ayton will be the pick, but things can change. If I was the Suns I would try to move back into the top 4-7 somehow. I wouldn't be too worried who was there either. Doncic would be my first choice right now, but honestly JJJ or Bamba would be tremendous with Ayton. Also, MPJ, MB3, and Young would all look good too.

I don't see JJJ as a super star, but as a 4th or 5th option but be one of the very best in the league in that role, he would be fantastic on the defensive side, switching, erasing mistakes, directing the defense. On the offensive side, he could be opportunistic in his drives and move out to the 3 pt line to space when asked to.

[UglyTruth]

But Woj seems convinced that someone ATL, MEM, and DAL are all open to trading their picks.

Where is this coming from?

He mentions it a couple of times in this mock draft, starting around the 2:40 mark:

[youtube][/youtube]

[atlanta's] pick is going to be in play. There are a lot of teams eager, in this draft, in the lottery, to try to move up. And, I think, from 3 / 4 / 5, you're going to see a lot of conversation.

Unfortunately, Luka is already gone in that scenario at 3/4/5. And I think they're probably right. I don't see Sac passing on Doncic.

It makes more sense to take Doncic #1 and then trade up with Atlanta to take Ayton imo.

[n4th4n]

Those Doncic highlights were pretty awesome! Though 3 or 4 of those plays , the defender(s) looked like they were wearing cement shoes and made terrible efforts (hey, kind of like NBA defenders today!).

You can make the exact same criticism on Ayton highlights when he is dunking on scrubs from Oregon State.

[jonh]

It makes more sense to take Doncic #1 and then trade up with Atlanta to take Ayton imo.

You think Sacramento wouldn't take Ayton #2? I would be shocked if that happened (Ayton obviously would be too).

[In2ition]

But Woj seems convinced that someone ATL, MEM, and DAL are all open to trading their picks.

Where is this coming from?

He mentions it a couple of times in this mock draft, starting around the 2:40 mark:

[youtube][/youtube]

[atlanta's] pick is going to be in play. There are a lot of teams eager, in this draft, in the lottery, to try to move up. And, I think, from 3 / 4 / 5, you're going to see a lot of conversation.

Unfortunately, Luka is already gone in that scenario at 3/4/5. And I think they're probably right. I don't see Sac passing on Doncic.

It makes more sense to take Doncic #1 and then trade up with Atlanta to take Ayton imo.

What makes you think that? I'll I've heard that if Ayton is available, Sacramento will sprint to the podium with the card with his name on it.