2017 Suns NBA Draft (4th, 32nd, 54th)

[Indy]

I'm also leaning Fox and would love to find a way to somehow pick up Isaac up too, even if they have to move Bledsoe. I think Isaac, if he can truly play the 3 would be a great counter to the tall long wings that are showing up around the league.

Are you cool with another 20 win season next year?

Fox-Booker-Isaac-Chriss-Chandler/Bender ain't winning jack squat for at least 2 more years. Would be hella fun to watch though.

I am. I'd rather gamble on guys who might be great than take a safe player with lower upside.

Me too. We have nowhere to go but up. I cringe at the idea of us trying to go after Paul George. I just see that as another way to get us good enough to likely make the playoffs, and that is about it.

[Split T]

As for Fox, I'm in the minority on thinking that he's a Blesoesque passer and shooter. Much quicker than Bled, but not as strong. I just don't see him as a star.

I don't think he reaches john wall level, but i think he could be on the mike Conley level. So he might not be much better than Bled, but Bled is pretty good and fox fits our timeframe much better. We can then move Bled for another piece. Still prefer to just take Jackson as he fits perfectly and effects only Warren. I think Warren is probably suited more for a bench role anyways.

Agree with that. If Jackson is available, I would probably just take him.

But if it's Fox, I might look for an opportunity to move him for 2 pieces. I'd rather have Fox or two of Isaac/Ntilik/Monk. Or maybe you use Fox to trade down and dump Knight. Maybe we trade #4 + knight for #6 plus Mario Hezonja. Something. If a trade like that could happen, I would be very tempted. It's not that I don't like Fox, but I do like several guys who might go later, and I'd consider gambling on 2 pieces with high upside.

I could see a scenario where Jackson goes 3 and we say Tatum and Monk don't really fit with Booker, Fox fits with Booker, but we're committed to Bled and we're not drafting a backup pg at 4, and we like bender over Isaac. Let's trade down, pick up an extra asset and draft Ntilikina. I see Minny or NY as potential trade down partners. Not sure what we'd get in return.

Ntilikina is kind of an unknown, but his skill set is intriguing. His calling card is defense and he's supposedly 6'5 with maybe a 7'0 wingspan. At that size he'd be able to play across the 1-3 positions. So he doesn't add to our 3-5 clutter and he allows us to keep Bled. I'm operating under the assumption that we have no interest in moving Bled. Ntilikina can play with Bled because he's not a ball dominant pg and he's got a decent stroke. You can also play him with both Bled and booker because he can cover 1-3 on defense. He's also very young and probably not ready for major minutes yet. He's not going to be a superstar, but George hill is the type of player I see. Ceiling might be a 6'5 Lowry.

[Superbone]

I'm also leaning Fox and would love to find a way to somehow pick up Isaac up too, even if they have to move Bledsoe. I think Isaac, if he can truly play the 3 would be a great counter to the tall long wings that are showing up around the league.

Are you cool with another 20 win season next year?

Fox-Booker-Isaac-Chriss-Chandler/Bender ain't winning jack squat for at least 2 more years. Would be hella fun to watch though.

I am. I'd rather gamble on guys who might be great than take a safe player with lower upside.

Me too. We have nowhere to go but up. I cringe at the idea of us trying to go after Paul George. I just see that as another way to get us good enough to likely make the playoffs, and that is about it.

I don't think you have ANYTHING to worry about it. From what I hear, it's a lock that he goes to the Lakers.

[Superbone]

Alright, here's my adjusted thoughts after reading you guys and listening to McDonough after the draft. First of all, McD made it clear that he's not looking to have another high lottery year. I really think he's commited to Bledsoe. No way do I see us ending up with a Fox/Booker starting backcourt.

As far as the draft:

Tier 1:
Fultz, Ball

Tier 2:
Fox, Jackson, Tatum, Isaac

If Jackson is available, we take him. If he's gone, I don't see us taking Fox so it's Tatum or Isaac. I'm leaning Isaac but who knows where these guys lay on the Suns draft board. This is all assuming we don't move the pick. The alternative is that we draft Fox for somebody and we move down a few slots. I don't see us moving out of the lottery altogether.

[TOO]

Much like I was when we drafted Bender, I will be so sad if we draft Isaac. Do not want.

[Superbone]

Much like I was when we drafted Bender, I will be so sad if we draft Isaac. Do not want.

So, who would you pick at 4 if Jackson is gone?

[specialsauce]

I'm also leaning Fox and would love to find a way to somehow pick up Isaac up too, even if they have to move Bledsoe. I think Isaac, if he can truly play the 3 would be a great counter to the tall long wings that are showing up around the league.

Are you cool with another 20 win season next year?

Fox-Booker-Isaac-Chriss-Chandler/Bender ain't winning jack squat for at least 2 more years. Would be hella fun to watch though.

I am. I'd rather gamble on guys who might be great than take a safe player with lower upside.

Me too. We have nowhere to go but up. I cringe at the idea of us trying to go after Paul George. I just see that as another way to get us good enough to likely make the playoffs, and that is about it.

If Jackson is gone this is the only other scenario I like. Not necessarily Isaac, but I'd like to draft Fox and trade Bledsoe into another asset.

[specialsauce]

Frankly, I like Isaac this year better than I liked either Bender or Chriss last year.

Agreed. I think Bender and Chriss would both fall out of the top 10 in this draft.

Bender wouldn't be a lottery pick in this draft.

Markkanen is on a different level and showed it at a college level rather than getting 3 minutes on a minor league european team.

[ShelC]

I'm so conflicted. I believe you draft for talent and trade for need. I think if he's there at 4, Fox is BPA and it's real hard to pass on that. He has Wall-like ability and on top of that, I've cooled on Bledsoe. I'm not even sure he's the best PG on the team. That title might go to Ulis. I just don't see Bledsoe making guys better or leading us to the playoffs, as McD envisions next season. And if you can get a stud 19 yr old PG like Fox, with as much potential as Wall/Conley (IMO), I just don't know...PG is the most talented position in the league and even if it takes 2 -3 years for Fox to really emerge and "get it", the Ws and Cavs will be on their way out (hopefully). Fox and Booker could be a dynamite backcourt. I drool at the potential.

I always say swings are a dime a dozen and while Jackson has a ton of potential himself and fills a need now, I just don't see his upside being that of Fox's nor his position as valuable. I know it's dumb to play this game but...Marvin Williams went 2nd while Chris Paul went 4th. MKG went 2nd while Lillard went 5th...

[Flagrant Fowl]

If Jackson is gone this is the only other scenario I like. Not necessarily Isaac, but I'd like to draft Fox and trade Bledsoe into another asset.

I'd like the Suns to take Fox and trade Bledsoe with #32 for another top 20 first round pick.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Markkanen is on a different level and showed it at a college level rather than getting 3 minutes on a minor league european team.

I couldn't disagree more. I think Markkanen is the most overhyped player projected in the lottery. Bender is far more athletic and a better defensive player than Markkanen.

[O_Gardino]

If Jackson is gone this is the only other scenario I like. Not necessarily Isaac, but I'd like to draft Fox and trade Bledsoe into another asset.

I'd like the Suns to take Fox and trade Bledsoe with #32 for another top 20 first round pick.

New York at 8.

[O_Gardino]

I'm so conflicted. I believe you draft for talent and trade for need. I think if he's there at 4, Fox is BPA and it's real hard to pass on that. He has Wall-like ability and on top of that, I've cooled on Bledsoe. I'm not even sure he's the best PG on the team. That title might go to Ulis. I just don't see Bledsoe making guys better or leading us to the playoffs, as McD envisions next season. And if you can get a stud 19 yr old PG like Fox, with as much potential as Wall/Conley (IMO), I just don't know...PG is the most talented position in the league and even if it takes 2 -3 years for Fox to really emerge and "get it", the Ws and Cavs will be on their way out (hopefully). Fox and Booker could be a dynamite backcourt. I drool at the potential.

I always say swings are a dime a dozen and while Jackson has a ton of potential himself and fills a need now, I just don't see his upside being that of Fox's nor his position as valuable. I know it's dumb to play this game but...Marvin Williams went 2nd while Chris Paul went 4th. MKG went 2nd while Lillard went 5th...

We may not have to make that choice.

[ShelC]

If Jackson is gone this is the only other scenario I like. Not necessarily Isaac, but I'd like to draft Fox and trade Bledsoe into another asset.

I'd like the Suns to take Fox and trade Bledsoe with #32 for another top 20 first round pick.

To whom? I don't see any teams with major PG needs who would take on his salary? Teague is a FA in Indy and they have the 18th pick. Do they re-sign Teague or take on Bleds on maybe a cheaper deal? Do they think Bledsoe might change Paul George's mind? Teague is from Indy and has always wanted to play there. He might not leave.

Utah is sitting at 24 and George Hill is a FA. Same situation. I think they really like Hill and vice versa. Who knows if he leaves.

So those are really the only two teams I see for Bledsoe. And that's not even taking into account Knight.

[carey]

How does a 20/5/5 guy not get you a lotto pick by himself let alone throwing in #32 for a late teens pick? Jeez. Y'all are harsh on Eric.

[TOO]

Much like I was when we drafted Bender, I will be so sad if we draft Isaac. Do not want.

So, who would you pick at 4 if Jackson is gone?

I want either Jackson or Tatum. I dont think guard is an option unless we make a trade, but I like Fox a lot as well. So after those I guess its Zach Collins and Markkanen.

[ShelC]

How does a 20/5/5 guy not get you a lotto pick by himself let alone throwing in #32 for a late teens pick? Jeez. Y'all are harsh on Eric.

Boston, LA, Philly, Sacramento, Orlando, Minnesota, NY, Dallas, Sacramento, Charlotte, Detroit, Denver, Miami.

Boston has IT and is drafting a PG. LA has DAR and is drafting a PG. Sacramento at 5 /10 is probably taking a PG (Fox, Smith, Monk, Ntilikina), Orlando has Payton but could draft a PG. Minnesota has Rubio and Dunn, NY will probably draft a PG (Monk, Ntilikina, Smith) or go after one in FA (Teague/Holiday). Dallas is going to go after Holiday in the offseason but could take a PG (Ntilikina). Charlotte has Kemba. Detroit has Reggie Jackson. Denver's has Mudiay and Murray. Miami has Dragic.

[TOO]

How does a 20/5/5 guy not get you a lotto pick by himself let alone throwing in #32 for a late teens pick? Jeez. Y'all are harsh on Eric.

Harsh indeed. Bledsoe is a lot better than people here think, and I am by no means a Bledsoe fan. Morris got a lotto pick in return and he's a bum, McD gave up a lotto pick for Knight and he's a bum. Its a moot point though because McD has hitched his wagon to Bledsoe, for better or worse, hes our guy.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Bledsoe is a fine player, but I've always thought (within the last year) that this draft is the best time to trade him. That's why I was actually happy that we didn't trade him at the deadline. He has more value now that teams know their draft position and how they view their roster for next season.

He's the perfect player for a middling team that needs a veteran presence to make a sincere effort at taking the next step.

I'm looking at teams like Minnesota, New York, Charlotte, Detroit, Denver, Chicago and Milwaukee. I think all of those teams would like to have Bledsoe on their team more than a rookie.

[Split T]

I think NY, Dallas, maybe Minny, and Sacramento, if they don't get fox, would trade their pick for Bledsoe