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

[Cap]

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.

Yep. Ditto Doncic. We get our pick of those two, and Sacto happily takes the other.

[Superbone]

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.

Maybe a ceiling of a rich man's Capela?

[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.

Maybe a ceiling of a rich man's Capela?

Yeah, possibly.

[Superbone]

https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grin ... t-2-180608

1. Phoenix Suns - DeAndre Ayton, 7-0 Center
Previous Mock: 2

2. Sacramento Kings — Luka Doncic, 6-7 Point Forward
Previous Mock: 1

3. Atlanta Hawks — Jaren Jackson Jr., 6-11 Power Forward/Center
Previous Mock: 3

4. Memphis Grizzlies — Marvin Bagley III, 6-11 Power Forward
Previous Mock: 4

5. Dallas Mavericks — Mo Bamba, 7-0 Center
Previous Mock: 5

6. Orlando Magic — Trae Young, 6-2 Point Guard
Previous Mock: 6

7. Chicago Bulls — Wendell Carter Jr., 6-10 Power Forward/Center
Previous Mock: 7

8. Cleveland Cavaliers — Michael Porter Jr., 6-10 Small Forward
Previous Mock: 8

9. New York Knicks — Mikal Bridges, 6-7 Shooting Guard/Small Forward
Previous Mock: 9

10. Philadelphia 76ers — Kevin Knox, 6-9 Small Forward
Previous Mock: 11

11. Charlotte Hornets — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 6-6 Point Guard
Previous Mock: 14

12. L.A. Clippers — Collin Sexton, 6-1 Point Guard
Previous Mock: 12

13. L.A. Clippers — Miles Bridges, 6-6 Small Forward/Power Forward
Previous Mock: 10

14. Denver Nuggets — Zhaire Smith, 6-4 Shooting Guard/Small Forward
Previous Mock: N/R

[INFORMER]

Honestly, I feel if you add Ayton AND Doncic, you're trying to play fantasy basketball, not put together a cohesive team. Your putting too many guys that need the ball in their hands. Booker would be fine because he is great catch and shoot guy. But Jackson and Doncic need the ball in their hands and like to probe the defense. They won't have the space too with Ayton. And Ayton is an iso scorer. He isn't like Amar'e, who can make a living off of pick and roll finishes.

I think if you acquire two lottery picks, one needs to be Doncic/Ayton, the other needs to be a complementary player like JJJ or Bamba.

[In2ition]

Honestly, I feel if you add Ayton AND Doncic, you're trying to play fantasy basketball, not put together a cohesive team. Your putting too many guys that need the ball in their hands. Booker would be fine because he is great catch and shoot guy. But Jackson and Doncic need the ball in their hands and like to probe the defense. They won't have the space too with Ayton. And Ayton is an iso scorer. He isn't like Amar'e, who can make a living off of pick and roll finishes.

I think if you acquire two lottery picks, one needs to be Doncic/Ayton, the other needs to be a complementary player like JJJ or Bamba.

I was thinking the same. The only thing I would say is that they still need an engine to feed everyone and keep them happy. Doncic and Young could be amazing passers in that way.

If the LeBron rumors were true, a Ayton, JJJ, Huerter draft would be amazing with the King.

[AmareIsGod]

Is Trae Young a good facilitator? He seems like a shoot first, pass 2nd type of guard. Not sure why so many are high on him as our PG and facilitator.

[In2ition]

Is Trae Young a good facilitator? He seems like a shoot first, pass 2nd type of guard. Not sure why so many are high on him as our PG and facilitator.

He's an amazing passer with extraordinary vision, probably a better passer than a shooter.

[iLLmatic]

Oden failed because his body broke down, not because of a lack of ability.

Even when healthy, he wasn't anything special. He could block a shot or two, rebound pretty well, but didn't offer much on the offensive end. He wasn't going to be a star.

It was a really stupid pick by Portland. They were far too enamored with his size and ignored the better, more skilled player in Durant. This situation almost mirrors our situation which has me nervous.

[In2ition]

Oden failed because his body broke down, not because of a lack of ability.

Even when healthy, he wasn't anything special. He could block a shot or two, rebound pretty well, but didn't offer much on the offensive end. He wasn't going to be a star.

It was a really stupid pick by Portland. They were far too enamored with his size and ignored the better, more skilled player in Durant. This situation almost mirrors our situation which has me nervous.

Except Ayton doesn't have any red flags medically...that we know of.

[SDC]

Honestly, I feel if you add Ayton AND Doncic, you're trying to play fantasy basketball, not put together a cohesive team. Your putting too many guys that need the ball in their hands. Booker would be fine because he is great catch and shoot guy. But Jackson and Doncic need the ball in their hands and like to probe the defense.

you give up jackson for doncic.

[Mori Chu]

Honestly, I feel if you add Ayton AND Doncic, you're trying to play fantasy basketball, not put together a cohesive team. Your putting too many guys that need the ball in their hands. Booker would be fine because he is great catch and shoot guy. But Jackson and Doncic need the ball in their hands and like to probe the defense. They won't have the space too with Ayton. And Ayton is an iso scorer. He isn't like Amar'e, who can make a living off of pick and roll finishes.

I think if you acquire two lottery picks, one needs to be Doncic/Ayton, the other needs to be a complementary player like JJJ or Bamba.

I was picturing sending Josh Jackson out in the package to get back Doncic.

[specialsauce]

Yeah, good luck getting another top 5-6 lottery pick without giving up Jackson. I’d love to, I’m just skeptical.

And I’m not giving Jackson up for any draft pick that doesn’t return us Ayton and Doncic.

[UglyTruth]

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).

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.

Sacramento loves WCS. Almost as much as we love Booker. They wouldn’t take another C because of that.

If Doncic wasn’t available for them, I’d wager they go with MPJ who reportedly had an amazing workout for them on Friday. JJJ is another option as well to play the 4 for them.

[UglyTruth]

Oden failed because his body broke down, not because of a lack of ability.

Even when healthy, he wasn't anything special. He could block a shot or two, rebound pretty well, but didn't offer much on the offensive end. He wasn't going to be a star.

It was a really stupid pick by Portland. They were far too enamored with his size and ignored the better, more skilled player in Durant. This situation almost mirrors our situation which has me nervous.

Portland passed on Durant because they didn’t think they needed help on perimeter as much with Brandon Roy on the team.

Suns are passing on Doncic because the Suns don’t think they need help on the perimeter as much with Devin Booker on the team.

Ironically enough, Booker’s playing style has been compared to prime Brandon Roy quite often as well.

[The Bobster]

Oden failed because his body broke down, not because of a lack of ability.

Even when healthy, he wasn't anything special. He could block a shot or two, rebound pretty well, but didn't offer much on the offensive end. He wasn't going to be a star.

It was a really stupid pick by Portland. They were far too enamored with his size and ignored the better, more skilled player in Durant. This situation almost mirrors our situation which has me nervous.

Portland passed on Durant because they didn’t think they needed help on perimeter as much with Brandon Roy on the team.

Suns are passing on Doncic because the Suns don’t think they need help on the perimeter as much with Devin Booker on the team.

Ironically enough, Booker’s playing style has been compared to prime Brandon Roy quite often as well.

I'm not saying there wasn't people questioning whether they should have picked Durant because there were, but Oden was a first team All-American who had led Ohio State to the NCAA title game. He was considered to be a "can't miss" prospect because of his combination of size and athleticism -

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazer ... ature.html
http://www.nba.com/news/toppick_debate.html
https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.ph ... Itemid=342
https://www.slamonline.com/uncategorize ... in-durant/

We have 20/20 vision now because of Oden's injury problems and because Durant turned out to be better than most almost everybody thought. But that doesn't mean that Oden wasn't considered to be a great prospect before he developed knee problems and had five surgeries (including three microfractures and a fractured kneecap).

[The Bobster]

Oden failed because his body broke down, not because of a lack of ability.

Even when healthy, he wasn't anything special. He could block a shot or two, rebound pretty well, but didn't offer much on the offensive end. He wasn't going to be a star.

It was a really stupid pick by Portland. They were far too enamored with his size and ignored the better, more skilled player in Durant. This situation almost mirrors our situation which has me nervous.

Portland passed on Durant because they didn’t think they needed help on perimeter as much with Brandon Roy on the team.

Suns are passing on Doncic because the Suns don’t think they need help on the perimeter as much with Devin Booker on the team.

Ironically enough, Booker’s playing style has been compared to prime Brandon Roy quite often as well.

Where did the Suns ever say they didn't need help on the perimeter? I think it's pretty much a consensus that shooting is one of their weaknesses - they finished last in 3Pt%. They also finished next-to-last in assists, and had the third-most turnovers in the league.

They need help just about everywhere.

[Vladimir_Taltos]

Why not just...

- Doncic at 1
- Trade for 3
- Take Bamba at 3

...OR....

- Ayton at 1
- Trade for 3
- Take Trae at 3

Use TJ as trade facilitor....

[The Bobster]

Why not just...

- Doncic at 1
- Trade for 3
- Take Bamba at 3

...OR....

- Ayton at 1
- Trade for 3
- Take Trae at 3

Use TJ as trade facilitor....

You'd have to add a lot to TJ to get it done.

And if you trade for #3 it wouldn't be to draft Trae Young.

[ShelC]

Or take Doncic and trade for DeAndre Jordan, who wants out of LA and seems close with Booker?