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As the NBA Draft quickly approaches us there are still many essential workouts to be held by teams to get their final looks in at who they should select and why. One of the biggest debates, as it is almost every year, is who will be the #1 pick in the draft? The Phoenix Suns have the luxury of owning the #1 pick in this year’s draft. Let’s take a look at five possible players that the Suns would consider using this pick on to improve their team.
Deandre Ayton, Center, Arizona
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Deandre Ayton is considered by many NBA experts to be the best player in this draft class. Ayton played his one year of college at the University of Arizona where he dominated the Pac-12. Ayton averaged 20.1 points per game, 11.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.9 blocks. He led Arizona to a Pac-12 Championship, but his team was upset by the University of Buffalo in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Scouts love his size and quickness. Ayton is 7-foot tall and weighs 243 pounds of straight muscle making him one of the most gifted athletes scouts have seen in the draft in most recent years. The only question in Ayton’s game is his impact on the defensive end of the floor as he is not known for his defensive skills. Ayton’s offensive game paired with Devin Booker’s could give the Suns two-star caliber scorers in their starting five. But does Ayton lack of defensive ability scare them away from drafting this talented player?
Marvin Bagley III, Forward/Center, Duke
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Marvin Bagley was one of college basketball’s most productive players last year averaging 21.2 points per game, 11.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.9 blocks. Bagley played his one year of college basketball at Duke University under one of the greatest coaches in the history of the NCAA, Mike Krzyzewski. Bagley is an athletic leaper and high-energy presence on the inside. Bagley is 6’11” and weighs 235 pounds. He moves very well for his size, and his athleticism allows for him to create more comfortable buckets around the rim.
However, he needs to improve his offensive game with a more consistent jump shot and not relying only on his left hand. On the defensive end, teams are going to need to figure out if he is truly a power forward or a center. At Duke, he looked lost on the defensive end sometimes making Duke have to lean on a 2-3 zone. Bagley could make for a good pick and roll partner with Devin Booker giving other teams fits on the defensive end. Bagley has a lot of room to grow and should become a productive offensive player for years to come.
Luka Doncic, Guard, Real Madrid
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Luka Doncic is a Slovenian international player who plays his professional basketball in Spain for Real Madrid. Doncic has been a very productive piece for Real Madrid as he averaged 14.5 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists as one of the teams starting guards. Doncic also has good size for a guard as he is 6’8″ and weighs 220. The 19-year old is entering the draft after leading Real Madrid to a Euroleague title. He also won the MVP of the Euroleague playoffs. Doncic is not a traditional point guard but is a very good playmaker getting his teammates involved when he can. His outside shot is a little inconsistent, but his form and arc are very good. Time can only help him become more consistent with his jumper.
A few things that some teams may fear about Doncic is how will he face the adjustment of the speed change between NBA defenses and the teams in Spain that he was facing. He also has a lack of elite explosiveness and burst, which scouts are interested in seeing if it makes things more difficult for him at the NBA level. Doncic and Booker in the backcourt together could make for a dynamic duo out in Phoenix.
Mohamed Bamba, Center, Texas
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Mohamed Bamba has some length like we have not seen many times before and his vertical is unreal as well. These two factors can lead Bamba to be a serious defensive impact by the way he can alter or even block shots that are in his area. At 7’0 tall and 225 pounds, Bamba also has a 7’10” wingspan which will be causing offenses fits when he finally starts his rookie campaign. He is also very athletic and mobile which can add to his defensive shot blocking abilities. Bamba averaged 3.7 blocks per game last year
On the offensive side of the ball, Bamba can shoot the jumper from the outside, has good, developing skills around the basket, and is a threat in the pick and roll to go up and catch lobs from his point guard. Some scouts have concerns about the competitiveness and toughness needed to play on the inside in the NBA. He also seemed not to be engaged on the floor during games at times during the college basketball season. However, a player like Bamba could really be the backbone to a team such as the Suns, who could use a major upgrade at the defensive end after being the worst defense in the NBA last season.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Center, Michigan State
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Jaren Jackson Jr. could be one of the best if not the best shot blocker in the 2018 draft class. Jackson averaged 10.9 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks. Jackson comes in at 6’11” and weighs 235 pounds. Even though Jackson’s numbers don’t scream #1 overall pick like many of the other players on this list do, Jackson proved his worth and flashed his potential throughout the season. He has the ability to protect the rim, and he is a solid on-ball defender when facing other bigs. He has a nice touch from the outside where he shot 39.6%. He also has an excellent post game as he is able to finish with either hand consistently while being able to take on people from the perimeter as well. Jackson has a lot of length and is a very agile mover on the floor. He does not have a great vertical leap, but his anticipation is what helps him seek out blocks on the floor.
Some scouts are concerned by his issues of keeping up with physical opponents in traffic and committing too many fouls on the floor. Jackson has the chance to be an exceptional player one day if he continues to develop his game and reach his ceiling. He would make a good pick and roll partner with Booker as he has good hands and can handle tough passes in traffic. He would also be a major upgrade at the defensive for the Suns who could desperately use some help in that department.
![]()
Shutterstock
As the NBA Draft quickly approaches us there are still many important workouts to be held by teams to get their final looks in at who they should select and why. One of the biggest debates, as it is almost every year, is who will be the #1 pick in the draft? The Phoenix Suns have the luxury of owning the #1 pick in this year’s draft. Let’s take a look at five possible players that the Suns would consider using this pick on to improve their team.
Deandre Ayton, Center, Arizona
![Instagram Photo]()
Deandre Ayton is considered by many NBA experts to be the best player in this draft class. Ayton played his one year of college at the University of Arizona where he dominated the Pac-12. Ayton averaged 20.1 points per game, 11.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.9 blocks. He led Arizona to a Pac-12 Championship, but his team was upset by the University of Buffalo in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Scouts love his size and quickness. Ayton is 7-foot tall and weighs 243 pounds of straight muscle making him one of the most gifted athletes scouts have seen in the draft in most recent years. The only question in Ayton’s game is his impact on the defensive end of the floor as he is not known for his defensive skills. Ayton’s offensive game paired with Devin Booker’s could give the Suns two-star caliber scorers in their starting five. But does Ayton lack of defensive skill scare them away from drafting this talented player?
Marvin Bagley III, Forward/Center, Duke
![Instagram Photo]()
Marvin Bagley was one of college basketball’s most productive players last year averaging 21.2 points per game, 11.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.9 blocks. Bagley played his one year of college basketball at Duke University under one of the greatest coaches in the history of the NCAA, Mike Krzyzewski. Bagley is an athletic leaper and high-energy presence on the inside. Bagley is 6’11” and weighs 235 pounds. He moves very well for his size and his athleticism allows for him to create easier buckets around the rim.
However, he needs to improve his offensive game with a more consistent jump shot and not relying only on his left hand. On the defensive end, teams are going to need to figure out if he is truly a power forward or a center. At Duke, he looked lost on the defensive end sometimes making Duke have to lean on a 2-3 zone. Bagley could make for a good pick and roll partner with Devin Booker giving other teams fits on the defensive end. Bagley has a lot of room to grow and should become a productive offensive player for years to come.
Luka Doncic, Guard, Real Madrid
![Instagram Photo]()
Luka Doncic is a Slovenian international player who plays his professional basketball in Spain for Real Madrid. Doncic has been a very productive piece for Real Madrid as he averaged 14.5 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists as one of the teams starting guards. Doncic also has good size for a guard as he is 6’8″ and weighs 220. The 19-year old is entering the draft after leading Real Madrid to a Euroleague title. He also won the MVP of the Euroleague playoffs. Doncic is not a traditional point guard but is a very good playmaker getting his teammates involved when he can. His outside shot is a little inconsistent but his form and arc are very good. Time can only help him become more consistent with his jumper.
A few things that some teams may fear about Doncic is how will he face the adjustment of the speed change between NBA defenses and the teams in Spain that he was facing. He also has a lack of elite explosiveness and burst, which scouts are interested in seeing if it makes things more difficult for him at the NBA level. Doncic and Booker in the backcourt together could make for a dynamic duo out in Phoenix.
Mohamed Bamba, Center, Texas
![Instagram Photo]()
Mohamed Bamba has some length like we have not seen many times before and his vertical is unreal as well. These two factors can lead Bamba to be a serious defensive impact by the way he can alter or even block shots that are in his area. At 7’0 tall and 225 pounds, Bamba also has a 7’10” wingspan which will be causing offenses fits when he finally starts his rookie campaign. He is also very athletic and mobile which can add to his defensive shot blocking abilities. Bamba averaged 3.7 blocks per game last yea
On the offensive side of the ball, Bamba has the ability to shoot the jumper from the outside, has good, developing skills around the basket, and is a threat in the pick and roll to go up and catch lobs from his point guard. Some scouts have concerns about the competitiveness and toughness needed to play on the inside in the NBA. He also seemed not to be engaged on the floor during games at times during the college basketball season. However, a player like Bamba could really be the backbone to a team such as the Suns, who could use a major upgrade at the defensive end after being the worst defense in the NBA last season.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Center, Michigan State
![Instagram Photo]()
Jaren Jackson Jr. could be one of the best if not the best shot blocker in the 2018 draft class. Jackson averaged 10.9 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks. Jackson comes in at 6’11” and weighs 235 pounds. Even though Jackson’s numbers don’t scream #1 overall pick like many of the other players on this list do, Jackson proved his worth and flashed his potential throughout the season. He has the ability to protect the rim and he is a solid on-ball defender when facing other bigs. He has a nice touch from the outside where he shot 39.6%. He also has a nice post game as he is able to finish with either hand consistently while being able to take on people from the perimeter as well. Jackson has a lot of length and is a very agile mover on the floor. He does not have a great vertical leap but his anticipation is what helps him seek out blocks on the floor.
Some scouts are concerned by his issues of keeping up with physical opponents in traffic and committing too many fouls on the floor. Jackson has the chance to be a very special player one day if he continues to develop his game and reach his ceiling. He would make a good pick and roll partner with Booker as he has good hands and can handle tough passes in traffic. He would also be a major upgrade at the defensive for the Suns who could desperately use some help in that department.
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