Valley of the Suns
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Re-Drafting Ryan McDonough’s five drafts

By Branden Wyss

BOSTON - NOVEMBER 17: Before game time, Suns general manager Ryan McDonough, center, chats with Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, left, and Sean Grande, the voice of the Celtics. Pagliuca shares video of his son's Saturday Duke game against Fairfield. The Boston Celtics host the Phoenix Suns, at the TD Garden, on Monday, November 17, 2014. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - NOVEMBER 17: Before game time, Suns general manager Ryan McDonough, center, chats with Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, left, and Sean Grande, the voice of the Celtics. Pagliuca shares video of his son's Saturday Duke game against Fairfield. The Boston Celtics host the Phoenix Suns, at the TD Garden, on Monday, November 17, 2014. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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Phoenix Suns 2013 NBA Draft

SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 11: Alex Len
SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 11: Alex Len /

Original Picks:

Pick #                       Name
   5                           Alex Len 
  29                   Archie Goodwin

There are a lot of scenarios here that could have made this draft much more worth our while. In the case of Alex Len, there really were only two other players that the Suns would have realistically drafted at their position without trading up or down.

We can go back to the 2013 draft for example and say we wish the Suns had selected someone like CJ McCollum, but we all know no team would have taken him in the top five either – even more so if we were to discuss drafting Giannis Antetokounmpo.

But here, we will be realistic. Our realistic alternative options were Nerlens Noel and Ben Mclemore.

I remember looking back on this draft and wanting one of those two players in particular. Nerlens Noel was early on projected to be a number one overall pick. Noel only slid because of a torn ACL that teams were most likely worried of investing in. Which is saying something, because if the Suns looked at Noel and determined their medical staff might have a problem rehabilitating him then maybe he was worse passing.

Except he wasn’t worth passing, he has become a defensive monster potentially gathering a max contract this offseason. Even if he’s asking for a bit much money, his potential is much greater than Alen Len’s at this point.

McLemore also was a phenomenal scorer in college, with young Rudy Gay comparisons coming from a prospect with potential. However, McLemore was now given up on by the team that drafted him and is now on his second team with a career average of only 9.4 points.

In the case of Archie Goodwin, at the time he wasn’t really that bad of a prospect, however, I’m biased against this pick. Rudy Gobert is a top five center in the league and I would have done anything to trade up two spots for him, however, we don’t know if McDonough actually had any interest in trading up for him. Archie Goodwin was once projected a mid-round lottery pick, oozing with potential as a two-way guard.

However, this is our fantasy world, and Rudy Gobert was originally received on the cheap for only a second round pick and cash considerations, so let’s give Denver something better they can’t refuse.

We’ll give them the same trade, plus our 30th overall pick.

Result:

5th Overall: Nerlens Noel

27th  Overall: Rudy Gobert (Trading 30th pick and 2014 second round pick to Jazz)

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