Re-Drafting Every Suns 1st Rd Pick Final Part: 2011-2016
By Tim Holstad
2016, 28th Pick
Who The Suns Took:
Skal Labissierre, Center, Kentucky
Career Stats:
33 GP, 8.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 0.8 APG, 53.7% FG
Who The Suns Should Have Taken:
Skal Labissierre, Center, Kentucky
Career Stats:
33 GP, 8.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 0.8 APG, 53.7% FG
More from Valley of the Suns
- Ranking the Phoenix Suns’ 5 holiday games in 2023-24
- Zion Williamson gets compared to Phoenix Suns legend
- Suns player preview: Bol Bol can be the perfect role player
- Former Suns’ guard shows he is officially done with Phoenix
- NBA insider guarantees Suns’ rival won’t make blockbuster trade
There are several factors in this choice. For one, Labissierre was also a part of the trade for Chriss. Plus, Tyler Ullis would be perhaps the more popular choice for Phoenix to take here. However, Phoenix got him in the second round anyway leaving the team free to look for other talent that may have slipped through the cracks.
Labissierre was actually the best player the Suns could have picked at this position, outside of Malcom Brogdon, again if they didn’t take him at 13 in this re-draft. He showed great promise and skill in the limited playing time he got. There have been comparisons to Amar’e Stoudemire for him, and some of the comparisons are definitely valid. His athleticism is uncanny, and he could develop into a really good big man. However, Marquese Chriss has just as much upside, if not more, and the Suns’ trade for him was a great move on their part.