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

[In2ition]

My first option is to cash in everything besides Booker, #1, and Jackson to get Doncic. It might hurt for a second or two, but in the long run it would be glorious. Worse case scenario, I may be tempted to include Jackson.

[SDC]

My first option is to cash in everything besides Booker, #1, and Jackson to get Doncic. It might hurt for a second or two, but in the long run it would be glorious. Worse case scenario, I may be tempted to include Jackson.

you have to give up jackson for doncic

[In2ition]

My first option is to cash in everything besides Booker, #1, and Jackson to get Doncic. It might hurt for a second or two, but in the long run it would be glorious. Worse case scenario, I may be tempted to include Jackson.

you have to give up jackson for doncic

It's not like you ACTUALLY know, but heck, that might not even be enough.

[AmareIsGod]

‘Don’t get cute’: ESPN’s Marks says Suns’ decision on Ayton is clear-cut

http://arizonasports.com/story/1551337/ ... -get-cute/

Playing the odds worked out for the Phoenix Suns.

Their league-worst NBA record in 2017-18 led them to winning the NBA Draft Lottery, but the luck also extended to their particular draft class at this particular point in time for the team.

Tyson Chandler is the only returning center on a guaranteed deal for next season, and so it’s fitting that the player most believe is the best talent in the 2018 draft class will fit Phoenix’s roster perfectly.

“Rarely do you get the best-available and do you fit a need,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

The Suns will work out Ayton solo at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Wednesday in preparation for the draft. Marks, a former New Jersey Nets front office executive, said that the visit will help familiarize Ayton with first-year Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov and the staff.

It’ll also allow the team to see where Ayton is from a conditioning standpoint. Other than that, Phoenix won’t gain much.

Most of the team’s evaluation of Ayton is already done. The Suns watched his Arizona Wildcats more than most teams thanks to the close proximity to Tucson, and Ayton’s 20.1 point, 11.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in his freshman season sums up the bright spots of his resume.

Ayton, who grew up in the Bahamas but went to high school in Phoenix, has spent a lot of time in Arizona since leaving college.

Sports Illustrated’s mini-documentary of his post-college, pre-draft life showed him cruising around the streets of Scottsdale. And when his former Arizona teammates Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier worked out for the Suns last week, each mentioned Ayton’s desire to attend their workout. He simply couldn’t due to the NBA’s rules limiting players to two visits with a team leading into the draft.

From the standpoint of Ayton’s background, he’s the perfect fit for the Suns.

That’s without considering the basketball side of things.

“I just like Ayton based on his ability to play inside-outside, his length, his upside, the ability to (be a) shotblocker at the rim there,” Marks said Wednesday. “So far off the court, everything checks. There’s no issues there. There’s not a headache from a medical standpoint. Everything is in line here.

“And then the upside factor. I know we’re in a league right now where we look in the finals and we’ve got guys out there who are, I guess we say positionless. And you probably say, ‘What’s the role for a center? Shouldn’t we look at Luka Doncic maybe, more of a wing or a guard here?’ and I say, ‘Don’t get cute with the draft.’ Eventually, this cycle is going to end and we’re probably going to get back in the day and age where bigs are dominant again.”

So, is Ayton a generational talent?

Marks might disagree with ESPN colleague Amin Elhassan, a former Suns front office staffer who said he might lean more toward Doncic in this draft class.

“Yes, he is (a generational talent),” Marks told Doug & Wolf. “I think there’s enough separation between him, Doncic, (Marvin) Bagley and (Jaren) Jackson (and) Wendell Carter there that would make him the No. 1 pick.”

[virtual9mm]

No question I want Doncic. I want one of the bigs as well, although I am sold on Ayton as well. If you start throwing in Warren and a boatload of future picks, no question that SAC, ATL, or MEM bite. If needed, bet on yourself and throw in future Suns unprotecteds.

Just no Jackson, please. You would run Doncic at point forward but you would need someone to stop small PGs.

Some questions:

1. After the promise that JJ showed in 2018 -- a more dominant performance than any Suns rookie since Richard Dumas (including Amare) -- why are so many folks willing to throw him under the bus? I see him as a Pippen with less reach but more mobility...and future ability to shut down small guards.

2. Why are we overvaluing draft picks? Sure, Ayton and Doncic look fantastic but so did Wiggins and Fultz. Avoid the psychological temptation and make clear headed decisions. Like not throwing in JJ into lopsided trades.

I like Josh jackson, but I continue to think his shooting mechanics are going to prevent him from ever being a star. He’ll be a good role player but if we have a chance at Doncic for him I would do it.

The preferred option is to keep Josh Jackson, I like him as much as anyone.

However, we need a legit leader (Engine) in the worst way. I do not see Josh being that guy. I don't see Booker being that guy. This opportunity rarely presents itself. I do not know if Josh + draft picks and the rest of our roster is enough to entice another team to give us their pick so that we can draft Doncic. I just think that if the opportunity presents itself, we cannot pass it up.

[Cap]

No question I want Doncic. I want one of the bigs as well, although I am sold on Ayton as well. If you start throwing in Warren and a boatload of future picks, no question that SAC, ATL, or MEM bite. If needed, bet on yourself and throw in future Suns unprotecteds.

Just no Jackson, please.

SAC is going to trade down from 2 to 16 for Warren and future picks? No question?

If you want both Ayton and Doncic, there’s only one way to do it:


[youtube][/youtube]

[virtual9mm]

Remember all of the head bashing we did about trading away the LAL unprotected pick? We would be throwing perhaps two of them into the deal, ours and MIA.

No question I want Doncic. I want one of the bigs as well, although I am sold on Ayton as well. If you start throwing in Warren and a boatload of future picks, no question that SAC, ATL, or MEM bite. If needed, bet on yourself and throw in future Suns unprotecteds.

Just no Jackson, please.

SAC is going to trade down from 2 to 16 for Warren and future picks? No question?

If you want both Ayton and Doncic, there’s only one way to do it:


[youtube][/youtube]

[In2ition]

Remember all of the head bashing we did about trading away the LAL unprotected pick? We would be throwing perhaps two of them into the deal, ours and MIA.

No question I want Doncic. I want one of the bigs as well, although I am sold on Ayton as well. If you start throwing in Warren and a boatload of future picks, no question that SAC, ATL, or MEM bite. If needed, bet on yourself and throw in future Suns unprotecteds.

Just no Jackson, please.

SAC is going to trade down from 2 to 16 for Warren and future picks? No question?

If you want both Ayton and Doncic, there’s only one way to do it:


[youtube][/youtube]

Heck, possibly 3 or 4 with another Suns and doesn't the Mil pick become unprotected if it doesn't convey next year(I admit I could be entirely wrong about that and I'm too lazy to look it up myself right now)?

[Cap]

Remember all of the head bashing we did about trading away the LAL unprotected pick?

Yeah, because we traded it for Brandon Fucking Knight.

“If a future pick is enough to get Knight, then it’s enough to get Doncic”? Is that your reasoning?

[virtual9mm]

Remember all of the head bashing we did about trading away the LAL unprotected pick?

Yeah, because we traded it for Brandon f*** Knight.

“If a future pick is enough to get Knight, then it’s enough to get Doncic”? Is that your reasoning?

Game, set, and match. But a king's ransom would be hard to turn down.

In2ition, not sure about protection on that MIL pick but 8t is less valuable because MIL will probably not suck. MIA is likely to suck.

[O_Gardino]

Remember all of the head bashing we did about trading away the LAL unprotected pick? We would be throwing perhaps two of them into the deal, ours and MIA.

No question I want Doncic. I want one of the bigs as well, although I am sold on Ayton as well. If you start throwing in Warren and a boatload of future picks, no question that SAC, ATL, or MEM bite. If needed, bet on yourself and throw in future Suns unprotecteds.

Just no Jackson, please.

SAC is going to trade down from 2 to 16 for Warren and future picks? No question?

If you want both Ayton and Doncic, there’s only one way to do it:


[youtube][/youtube]

For unproven talent. If this is indeed the best draft in a decade, there will be as many as 5 good players in the top 10. More likely there are 3. You have to be really sold on your guy to trade multiple pieces for him.

[O_Gardino]

‘Don’t get cute’: ESPN’s Marks says Suns’ decision on Ayton is clear-cut

http://arizonasports.com/story/1551337/ ... -get-cute/

Playing the odds worked out for the Phoenix Suns.

Their league-worst NBA record in 2017-18 led them to winning the NBA Draft Lottery, but the luck also extended to their particular draft class at this particular point in time for the team.

Tyson Chandler is the only returning center on a guaranteed deal for next season, and so it’s fitting that the player most believe is the best talent in the 2018 draft class will fit Phoenix’s roster perfectly.

“Rarely do you get the best-available and do you fit a need,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

The Suns will work out Ayton solo at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Wednesday in preparation for the draft. Marks, a former New Jersey Nets front office executive, said that the visit will help familiarize Ayton with first-year Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov and the staff.

It’ll also allow the team to see where Ayton is from a conditioning standpoint. Other than that, Phoenix won’t gain much.

Most of the team’s evaluation of Ayton is already done. The Suns watched his Arizona Wildcats more than most teams thanks to the close proximity to Tucson, and Ayton’s 20.1 point, 11.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in his freshman season sums up the bright spots of his resume.

Ayton, who grew up in the Bahamas but went to high school in Phoenix, has spent a lot of time in Arizona since leaving college.

Sports Illustrated’s mini-documentary of his post-college, pre-draft life showed him cruising around the streets of Scottsdale. And when his former Arizona teammates Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier worked out for the Suns last week, each mentioned Ayton’s desire to attend their workout. He simply couldn’t due to the NBA’s rules limiting players to two visits with a team leading into the draft.

From the standpoint of Ayton’s background, he’s the perfect fit for the Suns.

That’s without considering the basketball side of things.

“I just like Ayton based on his ability to play inside-outside, his length, his upside, the ability to (be a) shotblocker at the rim there,” Marks said Wednesday. “So far off the court, everything checks. There’s no issues there. There’s not a headache from a medical standpoint. Everything is in line here.

“And then the upside factor. I know we’re in a league right now where we look in the finals and we’ve got guys out there who are, I guess we say positionless. And you probably say, ‘What’s the role for a center? Shouldn’t we look at Luka Doncic maybe, more of a wing or a guard here?’ and I say, ‘Don’t get cute with the draft.’ Eventually, this cycle is going to end and we’re probably going to get back in the day and age where bigs are dominant again.”

So, is Ayton a generational talent?

Marks might disagree with ESPN colleague Amin Elhassan, a former Suns front office staffer who said he might lean more toward Doncic in this draft class.

“Yes, he is (a generational talent),” Marks told Doug & Wolf. “I think there’s enough separation between him, Doncic, (Marvin) Bagley and (Jaren) Jackson (and) Wendell Carter there that would make him the No. 1 pick.”

I don't know if this is normal for a #1, but I don't like Ayton working out on his own. All the stuff I want to see from him has to do with awareness of others on the court.

[Cap]

Remember all of the head bashing we did about trading away the LAL unprotected pick?

Yeah, because we traded it for Brandon f*** Knight.

“If a future pick is enough to get Knight, then it’s enough to get Doncic”? Is that your reasoning?

Game, set, and match. But a king's ransom would be hard to turn down.

In2ition, not sure about protection on that MIL pick but 8t is less valuable because MIL will probably not suck. MIA is likely to suck.

The MIA pick is in 2021. Can’t project that far into the future with any confidence. Miami might be good, and the draft might suck. It doesn’t have anywhere near the value the LAL pick did.

The MIL pick almost certainly won’t be in the lottery.

Our only future pick with great value is our own in 2019. By 2020 we should be decent, so that pick won’t be worth much.

[Split T]

‘Don’t get cute’: ESPN’s Marks says Suns’ decision on Ayton is clear-cut

http://arizonasports.com/story/1551337/ ... -get-cute/

Playing the odds worked out for the Phoenix Suns.

Their league-worst NBA record in 2017-18 led them to winning the NBA Draft Lottery, but the luck also extended to their particular draft class at this particular point in time for the team.

Tyson Chandler is the only returning center on a guaranteed deal for next season, and so it’s fitting that the player most believe is the best talent in the 2018 draft class will fit Phoenix’s roster perfectly.

“Rarely do you get the best-available and do you fit a need,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

The Suns will work out Ayton solo at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Wednesday in preparation for the draft. Marks, a former New Jersey Nets front office executive, said that the visit will help familiarize Ayton with first-year Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov and the staff.

It’ll also allow the team to see where Ayton is from a conditioning standpoint. Other than that, Phoenix won’t gain much.

Most of the team’s evaluation of Ayton is already done. The Suns watched his Arizona Wildcats more than most teams thanks to the close proximity to Tucson, and Ayton’s 20.1 point, 11.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in his freshman season sums up the bright spots of his resume.

Ayton, who grew up in the Bahamas but went to high school in Phoenix, has spent a lot of time in Arizona since leaving college.

Sports Illustrated’s mini-documentary of his post-college, pre-draft life showed him cruising around the streets of Scottsdale. And when his former Arizona teammates Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier worked out for the Suns last week, each mentioned Ayton’s desire to attend their workout. He simply couldn’t due to the NBA’s rules limiting players to two visits with a team leading into the draft.

From the standpoint of Ayton’s background, he’s the perfect fit for the Suns.

That’s without considering the basketball side of things.

“I just like Ayton based on his ability to play inside-outside, his length, his upside, the ability to (be a) shotblocker at the rim there,” Marks said Wednesday. “So far off the court, everything checks. There’s no issues there. There’s not a headache from a medical standpoint. Everything is in line here.

“And then the upside factor. I know we’re in a league right now where we look in the finals and we’ve got guys out there who are, I guess we say positionless. And you probably say, ‘What’s the role for a center? Shouldn’t we look at Luka Doncic maybe, more of a wing or a guard here?’ and I say, ‘Don’t get cute with the draft.’ Eventually, this cycle is going to end and we’re probably going to get back in the day and age where bigs are dominant again.”

So, is Ayton a generational talent?

Marks might disagree with ESPN colleague Amin Elhassan, a former Suns front office staffer who said he might lean more toward Doncic in this draft class.

“Yes, he is (a generational talent),” Marks told Doug & Wolf. “I think there’s enough separation between him, Doncic, (Marvin) Bagley and (Jaren) Jackson (and) Wendell Carter there that would make him the No. 1 pick.”

I don't know if this is normal for a #1, but I don't like Ayton working out on his own. All the stuff I want to see from him has to do with awareness of others on the court.

It's definitely normal. Anyone that's a top 5-10 pick only does individual workouts nowadays. Ayton isn't even working out for anyone else.

[JCSunsfan]

Supposedly Divac has a hard and fast rule that he will not draft anyone who does not work out for the team.

Doncic third?

[Superbone]

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... 677158002/

Phoenix Suns draft workouts: Deandre Ayton says 'I know I'm going No. 1'

Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough described Ayton’s workout as “phenomenal.” For about an hour, the coaching staff put Ayton through a 1-on-0 workout that included Ayton working off pick-and-rolls, finishing at the basket, guarding on the perimeter, shooting from 3-point range, pick-and-roll coverage, etc.

“He showed us what we expected to see,” McDonough said. “The way he shot the ball was pretty impressive. Not many 7-1 guys with that length and strength can step away from the basket and make shots. He did some of it at Arizona, but that wasn’t his role. You didn’t get to see him on the perimeter. Today he shot the NBA 3 pretty comfortably. He had really good form, touch and rotation on the ball. For a guy his size, that was a little bit unique.”

McDonough said Ayton already has gotten to know some of the Suns’ young players, including Devin Booker, Josh Jackson and Marquese Chriss. He said Ayton would get together with the Suns on Wednesday night to watch Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

[Superbone]

Heck, possibly 3 or 4 with another Suns and doesn't the Mil pick become unprotected if it doesn't convey next year(I admit I could be entirely wrong about that and I'm too lazy to look it up myself right now)?

2019: 4-to-16. 2020: 8 to 30. 2021: Unprotected.

[Superbone]

Big talk!
https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1004452684257087488 https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1004443732182102016 https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1004444464981553153

[Split T]

If there was any doubt, it should be gone. We're drafting Ayton

[AmareIsGod]

I'm guessing if and when Doncic has his workout day with us, this post and others will have hundreds of comments. Just the vibe I'm getting. For Aytons workout and press conference today, we've had 10-15 total.