Are The Phoenix Suns Avoiding Drafting A Point Guard?

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA;Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) drives between UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) and guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA;Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) drives between UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) and guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ryan Mcdonough has the opportunity to create something extremely special out here in the desert, but first, he has to get this draft pick right.

In a draft full of top tier point guards, one would assume that a majority of teams would agree to every opportunity to meet a potential future floor general.

Strangely enough though, the Phoenix Suns have only brought in a small portion of elite prospects, some not exactly the prospects fans were hoping to hear.

The Philadelphia 76ers have made their intentions clear to their fans by bringing in Markelle Fultz for a workout and then subsequently trading for the first overall pick. Fans of any sports team love this kind of interaction. They learn a little about the team’s offseason plans and are free to provide feedback on the situation.

The Phoenix Suns’ situation is different. We do not know how the Suns will go about their draft process.

Craig Grialou, of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM had once quoted McDonough as saying:

"“This isn’t a two- or three-player draft,” McDonough said. “There’s not a huge drop-off in my opinion after one, two, three. I think it’s pretty even in the top five or six, maybe even top six to eight, so I think we’ll have a number of good players to choose from at four, and I think we’ll get somebody really talented to add to our young core.”"

Well, that narrows it down. Not.  Based on the quote, we can safely assume that the Suns are including each and every name within the top eight for consideration. The only issue is, a majority of elite prospects have been avoiding making a trip to the desert for a workout.

There are approximately ten players that make up some combination of the top eight of most mock drafts. The bolded player’s are prospects that the Suns have brought in so far:

  • #1 Prospect – Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington
  • #2 Prospect – Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA
  • #3 Prospect – Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas
  • #4 Prospect – Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke
  • #5 Prospect – De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky
  • #6 Prospect – Jonathan Isaac, F, Florida State
  • #7 Prospect – Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona
  • #8 Prospect – Dennis Smith, PG, NC State
  • #9 Prospect – Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky
  • #10 Prospect – Frank Ntilikina, PG, France

Jayson Tatum and Johnathan Isaac visiting Phoenix are good signs due to the fact that both players would thrive in the Suns’ offense (Tatum might have a longer adjustment period, thanks to T.J. Warren).

The thing that Suns fans can’t seem to get past is the lack of point guard prospects who have made the pre-draft trip to the Valley.

The franchise that boasts a minimum three Hall of Fame point guards in their history, can’t seem to get a face-to-face with players who would fill what seemingly is a position of need.

However, is it really a position of need? Point guards Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight still remain on the roster, along with the promising, now sophomore, Tyler Ulis, each of whom are bound to take up the majority of the minutes at point this upcoming season – if on the roster.

If the Phoenix Suns were indeed going to attempt to convince a top point guard to visit them, we’d assume they would be actively shopping at least one of those names.

This is not the case, and the same fans who wish a less ball-dominant point guard would make their way to the Suns, sit to contemplate what could be.

This is the type of scenario that Suns fans want to hear being considered. The Suns working out ways to better the roster with daring and bold moves.

Imagine the Suns trading some combination of Eric Bledsoe and the 4th overall pick for the rights to the second overall pick, assumed to be Lonzo Ball. Would it be crazy? Yes. Would it be worth it? Quite possibly.

Even trading one of the current point guards away for something of worth and then taking De’Aaron Fox sounds like it could pay off.

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However, we will go into the draft with the notion that the Suns will be moving forward with our current crop of point guards and avoid drafting a replacement.

Unless a substantial roster move comes to pass in the near future, it is safe to assume that Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum, and Johnathan Isaac are the prospects of consideration at the fourth spot in the draft.