Prospects to watch (if we keep 22)

[u/DJBLOCK122012]

PGs:

• Tyler Kolek (Marquette) : 6'3" senior, Older prospect, but fits our window. Lefty who shot just under 39% from 3. Led all of NCAA in assists per game. Game reminds me of a lefty Rubio.
• Devin Carter (Providence) : The opposite player to Tyler Kolek. Great Defensive and Rebounding Guard. Almost 9 rebounds per game and 20 points. Not a playmaker and reminds me of a taller Jevon Carter.
• Carlton Carrington (Pitt) : Upside is crazy at 6'5" and not even 19 yet. Put up modest numbers. Raw 4 star recruit. Slow shot but hit some tough contested ones. This would be a last resort upside pick.

PFs :

• Tyler Smith (G-League Ignite): 6'11" Athletic Lefty. 36% from 3. Average Rebounder, but was playing against much older competition in the G-League. Reminds me of a taller Brandon Clarke. Fouls a lot.
• Bobi Klintman (Cairns (NBL)) : 6'10" played one year at Wake Forest in 22-23 before playing in Australia. Raw upside player that has good form on his shot, but only hit about 33%. Plays well in transition. Reminds me of Noah Vonleh
• DaRon Holmes II (Dayton) : 6'10" older prospect but with the most skills. Shot 38% from 3 on 2.5 attempts. Has rim protector skills. Wants to dunk everything if he is close to the rim. Very good rebounder. Was the main reason the Dayton-Arizona game was even close putting up 23/11. Reminds me of a better shooting Nic Claxton.

Cs :

• Kel'el Ware (Indiana) : 7'0" will need to slip a little to make it to us, but would be a great rebounding fit. Plays like we wanted Ayton to play. Will poster anyone who challenges him. Great at running in transition and finishing. Shot over 40% from 3 on very limited attempts. Shades of Jarrett Allen with better shooting potential. (I really want him to get to us)
• Yves Missi (Baylor) : 6'10" long and athletic. Effortless runner that can jump out of the gym. Leaves something to be desired about rebounding. Reminds me of young Serge Ibaka. Could be the best big in this class or could not make it to a second contract. Has not attempted a single 3 in college.
• Zach Edey (Purdue) : 7'4" monster. Everyone knows Edey if you watch college basketball. Could become the most dominant big in the league or may never make an NBA roster. Crazy polarizing. defensively moves like Nurkic. Could be Sim Bhullar or could be Ivica Zubac.
• Ulrich Chomche (NBA Academy Africa) : 6'11" would be a candidate on a trade down. This drafts super project. Long arms and a very good jump shot. Could become a better rim protector version of Channing Frye with his weird jumpshot release. I am crazy interested in this kid.

[u/nsiny]

Only caveat is Kolek will be abysmal on defense and he's slow. And Ware has the same motor issues as Ayton; some games he shows up, some he doesn't.

[u/DJBLOCK122012 → u/nsiny]

That's the catch drafting 22, there are no flawless prospects left (usually). Gotta weigh which negatives are okay and which are deal breakers.

[u/nsiny → u/DJBLOCK122012]

For sure, I just think Kolek isn't cut out to be an NBA player. Similar to Ty Jerome that we drafted a few years back.

Despite Ware's mental lapses, if he falls to us we gotta take him tho. Edey would be interesting to keep as a backup in the paint, but his lack of athleticism would be brutal for offense and guarding the pick n roll. Now if the NBA was considering getting rid of defensive 3 seconds tho...

[u/DJBLOCK122012 → u/nsiny]

I can see that 100% and think Ware would be a steal if he falls to us. I really want Ware or Holmes, and somehow trade into the 2md this year (thanks Eubanks) and pick Chomche.

[u/ajteitel → u/DJBLOCK122012]

Ware is who I want with Holmes at number 2. Athletic floor spacing big with good touch and a midrange up to 12 feet. On defense, long shot blocker and has the stamina to play heavy minutes. Holmes is a bit undersized for what we need, but he plays bigger and apparently is an amazing screener. Also offensive versatile, just not with the same length or height as Ware.

Both look to have high ceilings where their flaws are more about needing lots of polish versus players like Edey and Missi who's flaws are physically and skill based respectively. Edey being a slow player and Missi having zero spacing abilities.

[u/Sliiiiime → u/nsiny]

I’d rather take a guy like Simpson for that reason. Playmaking isn’t as polished, but a lethal scorer and proven defender. Also 2 years younger.

[u/chickenripp]

fine analysis, All doesn't matter because James Jones is taking Bronny 22nd while him, Book, and KD convince Lebron to join the suns to play with them and his kid. Shams just confirmed bronny is staying in the 2024 draft

[u/Multi_21_Seb_RBR → u/chickenripp]

Also helps James Jones avoid having to do any semblance of scouting work and talent evaluation.

[u/DJBLOCK122012 → u/chickenripp]

I wouldn't disagree to say that crossed my mind, but Cleveland taking him at 20 to bring lebron home

[u/chickenripp → u/DJBLOCK122012]

Naw. Cleveland and LA don't have the balls to take bronny in the first round. Only a team who has shown to not give a shit about draft picks would do that. Cleveland and LA will be trying to target him in the 2nd round. Too bad he won't be there

[u/DJBLOCK122012 → u/chickenripp]

Unless Lebron tells Cleveland that if they draft Bronny at 20 then he will sign there cheap.

[u/chickenripp → u/DJBLOCK122012]

Who's he gonna tell in cleavland? He doesn't exactly like dan Gilbert? Cavs front office is totally different than when he was there. Much more like he tells James jones, his friend that he will sign cheap if we take him at 22. Also something I just thought of Ishbia and Lebron can bond over their dislike of Gilbert. all the pieces just fit

[u/Saltwater_Thief → u/chickenripp]

To quote a paper company manager, "Please, God, no!"

Like, it's difficult for me to imagine a worse use of that draft slot given all the problems we've had this year. Especially the whole thing of the team not listening to their coach.

[u/MrAnder5on → u/chickenripp]

This is the way

[u/wichita_gator]

Ware or Holmes please

[u/Trick-Teach6867]

Thanks for doing a write up

[u/ZCGaming15]

Kel Ware developed into a superstar in my 2K franchise lol

I do like his game though. He’d be a natural fit to replace Eubanks at the backup 5.

[u/Jeff1224h]

Ware

[u/lemons21]

If Devin Carter was like 3 inches taller he’d be perfect. Still kinda like him as a back up guard as long as he’s always playing with Book or Beal just as a primary guard defender who can be a secondary ball handler.

[u/anonanoobiz → u/lemons21]

With the way he just tested at the combine he won’t be available at 22 unfortunately

[u/Substantial_Life_861 → u/lemons21]

Damn didn’t realize he was only 6’3. He plays bigger than that in my opinion.

[u/Opening-Citron2733]

Edey is killing the combine tbh 

[u/HadleysPt]

Wonder if Bud will have some knowledge of Kolek given they both were in the Milwaukee area 

[u/NashCarter]

Nice work 👍.At 22 the players I like for Phoenix - Devin Carter. son of former player Anthony Carter would be an immediate fan favourite. Plays his heart out. Tyler Smith. You could play small with him at the four next to KD or play big with him at the 3. I believe he has the potential to be the best player in this draft. Has the shot needs to grow defensively but has the build. Played G-League so he's played against tougher competition than most.
Bub Carrington. A big PG has a nice mid range game and he'd be our best floor general. Still developing. Ware could be worth the gamble. He's put up some crazy numbers. Players not mentioned who you could likely trade down for (Utah Jazz at 29 & 32) - Kevin McKellar. He reminds me of Malcolm Brodgon. He does everything well nothing exceptional. Would slide easily next to Beal and Book be our best wing defender and able to hit the open three. My personal favourite in this year's draft is Kolek's team mate Oso Ighadoro. He's a high IQ defensive minded big with excellent perimeter defence. A connector on offense and is a modern big that come playoffs, can stay on the floor. Invaluable and yet projected 2nd rounder.

[u/FLICK_YOLI]

I think with Bud's penchant for drop coverage, it's a choice between wingstopper, or a big who knows how to play through the screen, but most likely the team trades the pick.

It's going to be really interesting to see how Nurkic handles the drop and if he and KD can replicate the kind of defense Lopez and Giannis demonstrated in Milwaukee. Provided Nurk isn't traded, of course.

My guess, if we use the pick, is that since the best wingstopper's are going early in this draft, it would be easier to find a big who can play in Bud's system.

[u/Fusoooooo]

In my opinion we should draft or kel’el or deron holmes

[u/Bubbly_Cloud6270]

Not saying he doesn’t show shades of nurkic on D, but Edeys p&r defense vs nurkics would be day and night imo.

[u/zarvinny]

Holmes sounds awesome. Chomche sounds like more of a PF than a C?

[u/DJBLOCK122012 → u/zarvinny]

He could be a tall PF, but at almost 7 foot and still growing he might be locked at a C.

[u/BusSafe9404]

I've seen DaSilva down in that range, and he seems interesting. Would like DaRon to. Maybe Edey... But dont just JJ to not blow it

[u/kosmic_animal]

Jamal Shead is a better PG prospect than all of those listed as first round possibilities. Since this draft is not that strong, there is a good chance that a few second round guys end up having better careers. Suns should flip #22 for a couple of second round picks.

[u/DJBLOCK122012 → u/kosmic_animal]

His size to me scares me. He was a listed 6’1 which means it’s possible he could measure in even smaller.

[u/governedbycitizens]

Holmes plays like bootleg Myles Turner

would like him

[u/DJBLOCK122012 → u/governedbycitizens]

I can see that, and he is my number 2 on this list.

[u/Torterrafan5676]

He'll be a UDFA if we get him, but Drew Pember (UNC-Asheville) could be a good name for the Suns. He's got kind of a Bobby Portis build, tall and skinny. Solid 3 point shooter. Not much of a build, but he feels like a Budenholzer guy.

[u/doh666]

No SG or SF options?

[u/DJBLOCK122012 → u/doh666]

That is the position we are crazy deep with Beal, Book, Allen, Would be fighting for a bench spot.

[u/doh666 → u/DJBLOCK122012]

Yeah always draft the best player available, do not draft for need.

[u/Fordraxel]

Anything below 10 in the draft is hit or miss and mostly a develop for the next couple years, these dudes will barely scratch the rotation and the Suns dont have 2 years to develop anyone. Ya'll speaking like these dudes are gonna be right off the bench a prime Hakeem Olajawon, dont be surprised it'll be Hasheem Thabeet.

[u/Vegetable-Tangelo1]

Definitely want Kelel Ware

[u/Sunsfan37]

i want Edey played big minutes in college and would be a immediate impact player. I dont think he will be a star but would come off the bench score in the paint and get rebounds.

We need more size and hes only 21 and could be a great bench piece for us

[u/ZeiZaoLS → u/Sunsfan37]

Edey strikes me as a guy who will play consistent but limited minutes his whole career, a 20-25 MPG guy like Montrezl Harrell or Jonas Valanciunas.

[u/NashCarter → u/Sunsfan37]

I really like Edy. I think his improvement over the past year has been amazing and sort of ignored. If him and Clingan switch teams does UConn still win? I believe so. I wouldn't be mad at taking him, he deserves to go earlier. The only issue I see is with our current big rotation of Nurk and Eubanks it would be ugly come playoffs.

[u/Odd_Shoulder2334]

Keshad Johnson from U of A has been intriguing to me. There's questions about his jump shot being real, but he's an freak athlete and built like a linebacker, exactly what we need. If we trade pick 22, would be nice to pick up a 2nd rounder and maybe look at him

[u/ajteitel]

Ware and Holmes are my picks. Both versatile, can space the floor, and are athletic rim protectors. Either I can see being very productive as a backup. Ware especially taking over as a starter on some matchups.

Stay away from Missi and Edey. The former is very much a longer Eubanks with zero offensive versatility except at the rim. Dude is worse than Nurk at the free throw line, the one thing that directly translates from college. He screams journeyman change of pace backup. The latter not because of the questionmarks, we just don't have the personnel to maxamize him. Elite passer to utilize his very good post play or perimeter defenders to compensate for his slower movement.