What if the Suns were to draft for need
By Adam Maynes
Center
Regardless of whether or not the Suns were selecting best player available or attempting to fill a position of need, there is no position in the franchise’s history that has ever been more in need of a long-term upgrade than that of the position of center.
Currently the Suns have three centers on the roster in Tyson Chandler, Alex Len, and Alan Williams. Chandler has two years left on his contract, but his role moving forward (should he remain a Sun for the duration) will be more suited for a leadership position than from the perspective of a 30 minute a game player.
Alex Len was drafted to be the center of the future, and boasted a quick athleticism that if coupled with a great mid-range shot would presumably make him a very good option for a long time. Through four years, however, he has not developed as well as the franchise would have helped and now that he is in restricted free agency, looks like his days in Phoenix are over.
Alan Williams shocked Suns fans with his second half of the season play. Averaging nearly a double-double off the bench in the post all-star break, Williams proved that he could provide great energy at the center position off the bench. At 6’8″, however, his size will likely preclude him from ever grabbing a starting spot on the roster – especially when faced up against the taller, more dominant centers in the league.
Therefore the Suns still do not have a long-term answer at center, and probably do not have their 2019-20 center even on the roster today. With such a lack of an impactful long-term starter on the roster, there is no other position more in desperate need of an upgrade than at center.
Next: Valley of the Suns Mock Draft 3.0
Whether that player is a ground and pound center or a more offensively flexible and even capable outside shooter, if the Suns had the opportunity to find talent at center in this draft, they likely will. If they were to draft purely on need, they would select a center fourth overall.