Phoenix Suns 2016 NBA Draft
Original Picks:
Pick # Name
4 Dragan Bender
8 Marquesse Chriss
34 Tyler Ulis
What more about this draft can be said? The Suns did a phenomenal job here, originally coming in with the 4th, 13th, 28th, and 34th picks, the Suns pulled highway robbery of the Sacramento Kings stealing their 8th overall pick for the 13th and 28th overall selections.
The Suns in turn took two seven footers with an overall higher potential of one of them becoming Phoenix’s starting power forward for years to come.
This, was a stroke of genius, and another phenomenal draft power play from Ryan McDonough.
Even when you look around at the other players drafted after Bender and Chriss, it’s still hard to tell which of them will become the best player. And it still may very well be Bender or Chriss.
The only pick that prevents this really from being an ideal draft scenario is Tyler Ulis. And please understand that by saying that it is in no way a knock on Ulis. He is extremely talented.
Ulis could very well be the Suns’ backup point guard for years to come, or even become another Isaiah Thomas (best case scenario).
However, there’s just something about poor defensive point guards that I’m not super fond of. He can’t control that he was born 5’10 and that height just isn’t ideal in today’s NBA.
Instead, the Suns take Malcolm Brogdon with the 34th overall pick, a combo guard with the size and lockdown defender attitude the Suns need.
Result:
4th overall: Dragan Bender
8th Overall: Marquesse Chriss
34th Overall: Malcolm Brogdan