Phx-Suns.Net

I forgot about Fox; for some reason I just assumed somebody above us would take him. I suppose I would put Fox on my list just above Isaac or Monk.

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:At this point my draft board of prospects that have any reasonable chance of falling to us looks like this:

- Ball (unlikely to fall)
- Jackson
- Tatum
- Monk
- Isaac

I'm just not that sold on Isaac. I don't get why we would draft him given that we have both Chriss and Bender already. How will we find minutes for him? And I happen to believe that both Chriss and Bender can take those minutes and become good players.

I know you're supposed to draft "BPA" when you are a bad team like we are. But I have no particular confidence that Isaac is the BPA.

I listed Monk on my board above not because I like him but just to underscore that I'd rather have most anybody else above Isaac based on the poor fit.

Because he has Benders perimeter game and Chriss athleticism. Well, almost. I agree that Isaac is a risk, but both Bender and Chriss are still risks too. I wouldn't take Isaac at the 4, because on of Fox, Jackson, or Ball will be available. If we don't like that guy, we trade down and hope to get some other asset or dump Knight in the deal, and pick Isaac, Monk, or Ntilikina at a later pick.

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:
I'm just not that sold on Isaac. I don't get why we would draft him given that we have both Chriss and Bender already. How will we find minutes for him? And I happen to believe that both Chriss and Bender can take those minutes and become good players.

I know you're supposed to draft "BPA" when you are a bad team like we are. But I have no particular confidence that Isaac is the BPA.

I listed Monk on my board above not because I like him but just to underscore that I'd rather have most anybody else above Isaac based on the poor fit.

That's a fair argument and I've thought the same at times, but if Jackson is gone, he's my choice. He's a better prospect than either Chriss or Bender. I do feel bad because while I think in time they could all play together in a 4/5 rotation, someone is going to get left out right now and we know that would be Bender.

Reading that article from Isaac's​ coach was really helpful in convincing me he's the right pick. He's got a whole mix of different talents right now that nobody really knows how he'll use them, but his coach talked him up as a completely unselfish player who will do anything asked of him. He's got an incredible work ethic and combined with all his talent, I don't see how he fails to be a productive player.

Right now I'd expect him to become a versatile defensive player that can defend 3-5 and switch onto guards and keep them in front of him. He'll protect the rim, rebound, and stretch the floor on offense. Think Serge Ibaka. If he shows more ability to play off the dribble, he might have a little Porzingis to his game.

several Laker execs said Ball was way “too cool” in the workout (and they want him to workout again)
that was my biggest concern in the game where he got schooled by Fox
it makes sense for him to not want to be like his father -- excitable, loud, emotional
but it came across as lack of inspiration that definitely hurt his team in the game i watched

the Lakers passing on him is a real possibility now
if Ball is taken at 3, none of this likely matters to us
if not, i wouldn't want to be the one making the Suns' decision on draft day

I think I've fallen into the position that I will be happy with whoever they take. An argument can be made that any one of them can become the best player in the draft in the future. That's why I wasn't too upset that the Suns fell to 4th in this draft. At least it's very deep with talented players. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if #32 became a rotational player this season.
If it's Ball, I will be stoked that he will make everyone else better on the team, and passing and ball movement will be in vogue.
If it's Jackson, I will be stoked that Booker will have a guy on the other wing that can help mask his deficiencies on defense.
If it's Fox, I will be stoked that we decided on an ultra quick defensive gem pg and a back court with Booker and Fox will be one of the best.
If it's Tatum, I will be stoked to have another wing that can create their own shot from day one, is a smart alpha type that loves the game and is a gym rat.
If it's Isaac, I will be stoked at the promise of another long versatile defender that can bang inside and has perimeter skills, perfect for the evolution of the game to match with Chriss and Bender.
If' it's Monk, I'll be curious what happens.

That's a good mindset, in reality, it's going to be hard to make a bad pick at #4. We're trying to pick the potential superstar out of a group of potential all-stars.

Best case: Josh Jackson falls to 3 then draft Bell or Swanigan at 32
2nd Best case: We trade 4 and 32 for 5 and 10. Pick up another 2nd rounder and take Swanigan or Bell.

(I assume Issac at 5, not sure who I'd take at 10)

An exhaustive look at what the Suns offense would look like with Tatum and Booker together: http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2017/ ... ns-offense

O_Gardino wrote:Because he has Benders perimeter game and Chriss athleticism. Well, almost. I agree that Isaac is a risk, but both Bender and Chriss are still risks too. I wouldn't take Isaac at the 4, because on of Fox, Jackson, or Ball will be available. If we don't like that guy, we trade down and hope to get some other asset or dump Knight in the deal, and pick Isaac, Monk, or Ntilikina at a later pick.

This is where I am. Orlando wants Isaac bad. We trade them #4 and Knight for #6 and Vucevic. We then take Tatum after Sac takes Fox. We have a C locked in at $12M a year for a bit, no longer have to pay Knight and also don't have to pay Len. We have cap space now to immediately upgrade whatever position we like (probably a 3 & D wing player.)

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:I know you're supposed to draft "BPA" when you are a bad team like we are. But I have no particular confidence that Isaac is the BPA.

This is where we're just going to have to trust McD. If he thinks he's BPA, I'm fine with it. I know he's looked into him a heck of a lot more than I have, that's for sure.

1tinsoldier wrote:several Laker execs said Ball was way “too cool” in the workout (and they want him to workout again)
that was my biggest concern in the game where he got schooled by Fox
it makes sense for him to not want to be like his father -- excitable, loud, emotional
but it came across as lack of inspiration that definitely hurt his team in the game i watched

That's exactly the impression I got in that game. He didn't have any fire to him. Maybe it's burning on the inside. I don't know. There is going to be a lot of intrigue on who the Lakers are taking with that 2nd pick. It could have a big impact on us if they don't take him. I don't think we expect him to be there.

In2ition wrote:I think I've fallen into the position that I will be happy with whoever they take. An argument can be made that any one of them can become the best player in the draft in the future. That's why I wasn't too upset that the Suns fell to 4th in this draft. At least it's very deep with talented players. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if #32 became a rotational player this season.
If it's Ball, I will be stoked that he will make everyone else better on the team, and passing and ball movement will be in vogue.
If it's Jackson, I will be stoked that Booker will have a guy on the other wing that can help mask his deficiencies on defense.
If it's Fox, I will be stoked that we decided on an ultra quick defensive gem pg and a back court with Booker and Fox will be one of the best.
If it's Tatum, I will be stoked to have another wing that can create their own shot from day one, is a smart alpha type that loves the game and is a gym rat.
If it's Isaac, I will be stoked at the promise of another long versatile defender that can bang inside and has perimeter skills, perfect for the evolution of the game to match with Chriss and Bender.
If' it's Monk, I'll be curious what happens.

I like your thought process!

From Chad Ford:

But another scenario has piqued the franchise's interest. The Lakers held internal discussions about trading back two spots to No. 4 if the Suns were to offer them a 2018 first-round pick. The Suns hold their own 2018 pick (which currently projects to be a high lottery pick) as well as the rights to the Miami Heat's 2018 pick. The latter pick is top-seven-protected in 2018 but unprotected in 2019.

Trade #4 and Miami's pick next year for #2, then trade #2 for the Kings' 5 and 10 plus their pick top 5 protected in 2019?

We need someone that can play defense at multiple positions, has length at his natural position, and can rebound the damn ball. I know we have Bender and Chriss, but wouldn't it be better to have a mix of Bender, Chriss, and a defender/rebounder? I think we get too enamored with offensive skills that might not fit our team.

another Laker angle:
they're looking at signing Lebron and switching to win now mode
so, perhaps what they get for the pick may be more useful than investing in a rookie

do the Lakers have the flexibility of putting together another damn super team with free agents in short order?

Lebron's looking at the Clippers also, so their sense of urgency must be high
if Lebron rebuilds there it may not matter what they (or we) do for years to come

ShelC wrote:Trade #4 and Miami's pick next year for #2, then trade #2 for the Kings' 5 and 10 plus their pick top 5 protected in 2019?

You think they'd really give up 2, but probably 3, lottery picks for Fox?

What about Bledsoe, the 4th pick and maybe some other shit for the Lakers' 2nd pick? McD gets his guy in Lonzo, while lakers still get a good player at 4 and get Bledsoe, who's Lebron's BFF, which should help in free agency in 2018 to get Lebron.

Wally_West wrote:What about Bledsoe, the 4th pick and maybe some other s*** for the Lakers' 2nd pick? McD gets his guy in Lonzo, while lakers still get a good player at 4 and get Bledsoe, who's Lebron's BFF, which should help in free agency in 2018 to get Lebron.

I think that's a terrible idea for the Suns. I'm not a fan of Bledsoe being on the Suns right now, but he's worth a lot more than moving up just two spots in this draft.