2024 NBA Draft

[Cap]

Yeah, I’m not sanguine about this guy. Can’t shoot, and depends on passes that will be picked off by the longer, faster, better defenders in the NBA. What do we know about his D?

[Charlie Smithy!]

Yeah, I’m not sanguine about this guy. Can’t shoot, and depends on passes that will be picked off by the longer, faster, better defenders in the NBA. What do we know about his D?

My goodness, cap, you sent me to Webster's early this morning!!

[Superbone]

Yeah, I’m not sanguine about this guy. Can’t shoot, and depends on passes that will be picked off by the longer, faster, better defenders in the NBA. What do we know about his D?

My goodness, cap, you sent me to Webster's early this morning!!

And that's a good thing. We've got some smart cookies on this board. Pretty cool when we can learn some new words on a Suns message board.

[In2ition]

Yeah, I’m not sanguine about this guy. Can’t shoot, and depends on passes that will be picked off by the longer, faster, better defenders in the NBA. What do we know about his D?

Yeah, he could be another Kendall Marshall type, where he can't do anything but pass. That's not good at all.

[Split T]

He’s a 2nd rounder though, so probably can’t expect much anyways

[Superbone]

[Mori Chu]

Yeah, I’m not sanguine about this guy. Can’t shoot, and depends on passes that will be picked off by the longer, faster, better defenders in the NBA. What do we know about his D?

My goodness, cap, you sent me to Webster's early this morning!!

It's a perfectly cromulent word, Charlie.

[Cap]

Yeah, I’m not sanguine about this guy. Can’t shoot, and depends on passes that will be picked off by the longer, faster, better defenders in the NBA. What do we know about his D?

My goodness, cap, you sent me to Webster's early this morning!!

It's a perfectly cromulent word, Charlie.

Ironically, so is cromulent. The Simpsons episode that introduced it is now dated. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cromulent

[SunsRIt]

Yeah, I’m not sanguine about this guy. Can’t shoot, and depends on passes that will be picked off by the longer, faster, better defenders in the NBA. What do we know about his D?

Seems like a rather personal question Cap.

[Cap]

Yeah, I’m not sanguine about this guy. Can’t shoot, and depends on passes that will be picked off by the longer, faster, better defenders in the NBA. What do we know about his D?

Seems like a rather personal question Cap.

Defense.

[Split T]

New ESPN mock has us taking Ryan Dunn:

22. Phoenix Suns

Ryan Dunn, SF/PF, Virginia | Age: 21.4

Dunn is said to be gaining steam in this range of the draft after a slew of outstanding workouts this month propelled him firmly into the first round. Several teams have said Dunn exceeded expectations with his shooting while also doing some absolutely mesmerizing things defensively in guarding point guards through centers in group settings.

Chicago, Toronto and the New York Knicks are others that rival teams indicate could be high on him.

The Suns might look more to free agency to explore adding a point guard to their roster, with Kris Dunn (not related) one potential option that rival teams expect them to look at. Trading back to resupply their depleted stockpile of assets (especially future picks) is another option the Suns' front office is said to be considering, due to the severely limited mechanics the team has to add talent with the punitive new second-apron rules that go into effect this summer. -- Givony

[ShelC]

Dunn is Flex's guy so that pretty much settles it!

[Split T]

He’s intriguing if he figures out the shot…there is some Shawn Marion to his game…he was just an awful shooter. Size, defense, and athleticism would be awesome to have though.

[ShelC]

Yea I had Matrix as a comp in a writeup I'm about to post. He's electric when you watch him and might work in our lineup so long as our Big 3 are providing the offense we need them to.

[ShelC]

Digging in a bit the past few weeks....no idea what we'll do or who we're really targeting. Fine with Kolek and there's plenty of smoke there. I like the idea of Jamal Shead from Houston but he's a 2nd rounder. Topic would be very intriguing if he dropped due to the knee injury. Messi would give us the prototype athletic catch and dunk PnR center we've been lacking but not much else in terms of offensive skillset. We also haven't worked him out as far as we know. We have worked out Tyler Smith who's a pretty smooth lefty big with a lot of potential at the 4 spot but is rough defensively and rebounding the ball. Wrote a lot about these guys, put a spoiler on it so it doesn't take up the thread....

Here's the list of players NBA teams have worked out as of last week, probably won't be 100% accurate but a good guide https://hoopshype.com/lists/2024-draft- ... s-tracker/

Spoiler: show/hide

Do we keep the pick? Do we trade out of the draft? Do we trade back? Do we take a project? Do we take a seasoned college vet who can presumably contribute this season? Do we take a PG who can help run things off the bench but still play next to Beal and Book? Do we take a center and if so, which kind - an athletic, rim running/rim defending lob threat or a high post, 3pt shooter who can help space the floor? Would we take a SF/wing if he's the BPA? I don't think any of us have any idea. Most Suns fans are in agreement we either need some sort of point guard/ballhandler - a playmaker or a high level perimeter defender (ideally both); or, a high level defensive big who can catch and dunk. So obviously we'll take a wing like Ryan Dunn?

Tyler Kolek - the guy with the most smoke around our pick. Smart, highlevel playmaker who should be ready to contribute right away. I worry about his athleticism and physicality. We need more athletes and defenders on the perimeter unless we're leaning all the way in on offense.

Isaiah Collier - has been mocked to us a few times but haven't seen us linked to him officially. #1 ranked recruit out of high school but dipped after a rough season at USC. Could go late lotto to mid 1st round. Good size at 6-4ish 210 but average wingspan and doesn't seem to have great burst or athleticism. Great PnR ballhandler tho, looks like an NBA player working off the screen, reading the defense, getting the switch, getting into the lane with pace and body control. Good finisher around the basket. Not a good shooter at the moment with a low release and shoots on the way down. Only a 67% FT shooter, outside shots are just all over the place. Defense is really rough too - poor footspeed hurts him and doesn't always look interested in defending. Falls asleep off the ball, doesn't anticipate screens, slow to react. Might be a high risk, high reward type of pick. Reminds me of Bledsoe with better PnR feel. However, I don't think he's the PG we need right now unless we run a lot of PnRs. Maybe a few years ago where he could learn from CP and we were running a PG heavy PnR offense but I don't know that he fits with the roster- especially if he needs to be off the ball at times - and we also don't know what Bud's system will look like.

Jamal Shead - I've seen him go anywhere from late 1st round to late 2nd round but he's probably a mid-late 2nd round pick. 4 yr player from Houston, a bit undersized at 6-1 but plays bigger, known being a leader and floor general. Great POA defender, good strength to hold off bigger guards. I don't see him as a high level playmaker but more a guy who gets assists off his drives and being threat to score. Reminds me of Jevon Carter/Deuce McBride in terms of effort/hustle and plays a bit more like Ray Felton as a PG. I think there's a spot in the league for those guys and while he's older and may have limited upside due to his size, I really like him as a fit off the bench who can also play next to Beal/Book, run offense and give us some hardnosed, dirty work defense on opposing PGs. Big 12 POY and DPOY, coached by Kelvin Sampson, won a lot at Houston with big game experience. That would fit the James Jones mold of seasoned, winning, college vet who could at least push guys in practice.

Yves Missi - Catch and dunk, prototype PnR big with good balance and body control in the lane. Lob threat, good hands, good timing on the roll. Not much else offensively. Really good defender at the rim and can hang on the perimeter but I worry about his ability to defend bigger centers like Jokic, Embiid, AD. More of a Jarrett Allen/Nic Claxton frame, not sure how much more weight he'll put on but maybe that's a good alternative/option to Nurk when needed.

Bub Carrington - more of a combo guard at 6-5, one of the younger players in the draft but a very good feel for the game and can legitimately run offense. Very good midrange pullup scorer, not unlike Book. Plays with a lot of confidence, good frame and 6-9 wingspan but still might be a year away. Probably not a good fit right now but I like his game overall.

Jaylon Tyson - legit 3 level NBA scorer with good size at the 2/3. Just a smooth scorer with good handles, plays hard on defense, good frame and should be able to contribute right away. Could be a Cam Thomas type who brings instant offense. Not someone we need but could be BPA.

Nikola Topic - was one of the top Euro prospects but has slipped due to knee injuries, partially torn ACL in May that might require surgery. Big 1-2 who can handle and run offense, typical Euro game and has been compared to Dragic. If he slips, he might be too tough to pass on even if it means waiting for him to get healthy.

Ryan Dunn - a lot of love for his defense and rebounding and could be an ideal 3/4 swing next to KD (Luka stopper?). Physically he reminds me of OG Anunoby and makes plays all over the floor on defense. The lack of offense really hurts and it's hard to play a guy who isn't a threat to score. Is he a bigger Okogie? Is he Shawn Marion? A stat stuffer multi-use defender like Josh Smith? Can he develop at least a somewhat reliable 3pt shot? The 53% from the FT line doesn't inspire confidence. Could be a gamechanger on defense and in transition but might need the right team and situation to thrive.

Tyler Smith- 6-10 lefty PF with a 3pt shot, midrange pullup, a little dribble drive game, really good vertical athleticism and coordination/body control in the PnR. He looks the part on offense but defense is where he struggles and he's not a dominant rebounder. Played for Overtime Elite but this isn't a Darius Bazley young raw big who gets his offense off of pure athelticism and talent against lower comp. Offensively he could be Bosh or Evan Mobley, but if he can't defend or rebound he could be Christian Wood minus the rebounding. Taking him could be a long term post-KD play to pair him with Book. Doesn't really fit the James Jones mold of player but interesting we worked him out.

Jaylin Williams - On the workout list and could be a late 2nd rounder or UDFA as a 6-10ish 24yr old center. A lot of hustle to his game, explosive athlete in transition and can step out and shoot. Really good defender with a lot of college experience but rebounding numbers are disappointing. We could use a backup center like him tho, especially if he can be reliable defender right away.

[Mori Chu]

I wonder if Utah would consider giving us their #29 and #32 for our #22? Maybe not, since that doesn't move them up very far, but I'd make the call.

[Split T]

Ya them or Minny at 27/37 would be my targets for trade down.

[Wally_West]

22 for 29 and 32 would be perfect. Would also settle for 29 and bunch of future 2nds too

[Split T]

Who would you guys target in a trade down? Feels like we’ve heard a lot of Kolek and now Dunn talk…I’d feel better about both of them if we were picking them 27 and had 37 coming up later

[BigLewy]

I'd love to somehow trade down and land both Kolek and Dunn.