Who could Phoenix take with their 1st pick?
The Phoenix Suns finished with the second worst record in the NBA just ahead of the Brooklyn Nets. Giving the Suns the second best chance of getting the number one pick.
The Suns record ended at 24–58 just four games ahead of the Brooklyn Nets at 20–52. The Suns have a future to look forward to with so much young talent. They now have the chance to add to that talent with their first round pick this year.
Lonzo Ball
Pros:
Lonzo is a talented Gaurd who lead the ‘16-’17 UCLA team to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament. The Bruins fell short to the Kentucky Wildcats (86–75). Lonzo can be a facilitator averaging 7.6 assists per game in the regular season. Lonzo is also a great scorer and averaged 14.6 points per game during the regular season. Although he ended his college career with a subpar game against the Kentucky Wildcats (10 points 8 assists) he has shown a lot of upside throughout the regular season. He is 19-years-old, and can be a great addition to the young Suns team.
Cons:
First of all, his dad LaVar Ball. LaVar Ball talks a lot but says very little, he has said many ridiculous things over the year (including beating Jordan 1–on-1). LaVar Ball is not helping his son in any way, but only adding pressure and giving him and the world high expectations of Lonzo. Lonzo will also have to get used to not being the number one player of the team if picked by the Suns. The last game he had was a bit concerning after he didn’t show up in a big game this season only recording 10 points 8 assists and 3 rebounds in 38 minutes.
Markelle Fultz
Pros:
Fultz became a superstar on a not so great Washington team. Although they did not make the NCAA tournament Markelle Fultz is currently thought of as the high runner of the 1st pick in this years draft. Markelle Fultz is explosive, athletic, and can also shoot. Finishing the season with a FG% of .476 and a 3P% of .413. Markelle Fultz averaged 23.2 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, and 5.9 assists per game in the course of 25 games. Fultz is an extremely talented player and could be the next star pairing him with Devin Booker would be great for the Suns future.
Cons:
He had an on and off knee injury during the regular season which made him miss 6 games. It didn’t seem to be bothering him much considering his stat line, but it is still concerning. If drafted by the Suns he would have to pass the ball more and become more of a facilitator because of Devin Booker. His athleticism and playmaking was amazing to watch during the NCAA regular season, but we have yet to see him on a big stage.
Josh Jackson
Pros:
Josh Jackson is an athletic scorer who thrives inside the paint. He was also a great rebounder this season for the Kansas Jayhawks. He ended the season with 16.3 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, and 3.0 assists per game. Josh Jackson could be a presence in the paint for the Suns and is at a position that they desperately need to fill with more young talent at Small Forward. The Suns need someone who is able to rebound and be able to score on the other end which makes Josh Jackson a great pick.
Cons:
With such a high pick in the draft the Suns will have a tough decision on who to pick. Josh Jackson does fit what they need, but could the Suns improve at the Small Forward position during Free Agency? There will be a lot of proven talent in the FA this year including Gordon Hayward. Do the Suns have a possibility of getting Gordon Hayward (or someone like him)? Probably not, but is Josh Jackson capable of being a great Small Forward in the NBA?
