Valley of the Suns
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Phoenix Suns Big Board 1.0: Top 10 prospects

By Lucas Johnson

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: A shot of the first round draft board during the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler /NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: A shot of the first round draft board during the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler /NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BIRMINGHAM, AL – DECEMBER 22: Collin Sexton
BIRMINGHAM, AL – DECEMBER 22: Collin Sexton /

No. 9

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s name could be a mouth full to say, but his game speaks for itself. Now one may ask, why would the Suns draft a point guard that has only started three games his freshman year at Kentucky? To put it simply, the guy can ball. In 16 games, while getting about 30 minutes of burn per game, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 11.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.2 steals and 0.4 blocks while shooting 49.2 percent  from the floor and 45.0 percent from behind the arc. Gilegous-Alexander’s defense and 6-foot-6 size at the point guard position makes him a very interesting pairing with Devin Booker. Usually with defense and size, players don’t shoot well, that seems to be the opposite with Gilgeous-Alexander. Still his low assist numbers for the amount of time that he is on the court is concerning.

No. 8

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Jaren Jackson Jr. is the second stretch big in this Suns’ big board. At Michigan State the freshman is averaging a solid 11.1 rebounds, 6.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 3.0 blocks. Jackson’s a solid enough shooter with a 49.1 percent shooting average from the field and 44.0 percent from deep. Besides averaging 3.4 fouls in 22.8 minutes per game, the 6-foot-11 big man has defense down. However, he will take time to develop on the offensive side of the ball. His field goal percentage is concerning, but the fact that he has a 3-point shot is a positive. If he can continue to develop on offense, then the Suns would be in a solid place with having Jackson as the team’s center.

No. 7

Collin Sexton is most famously known for when his team played 3-on-5 and where his team only lost by five points at the end.

Sexton has almost all the tools needed to be an elite NBA point guard. While at Alabama he has averaged 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 45.8 percent on his shots from the floor and 38.5 percent on his 3-point shots. Besides his assist being low for his position, Sexton looks like an NBA ready point guard. His talent is unquestioned, but can he and Booker co-exsist together being two ball dominant guards? That’s yet to be seen, but that is the main reason why he isn’t higher on this big board.

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