Valley of the Suns
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Phoenix Suns Big Board 2.0: Top 10 prospects

By Lucas Johnson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: A shot of the final board during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, 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 Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: A shot of the final board during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, 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 Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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No. 4

Previous ranking: No. 2

The fall of Trae Young is a little shocking for a player that appeared to be a can’t miss prospect. While Young has struggled as of late, he’s still an elite prospect that the Phoenix Suns should seriously consider taking. Despite his struggles, Young is still averaging 28.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 0.3 blocks and1.7 steals, while shooting 42.7 percent of his shots from the floor and 36.6 percent of his shots from deep. Hopefully Young will be able to end his college season strong and he bounces back on the next Valley of the Suns big board.

No. 3

Previous ranking: No. 4

The rise of Luka Doncic on this big board, has more to do with the struggling Trae Young than the overall play of Doncic. He has been solid while he continues to play in Europe.

Per Game Table
Season League(s) G GS MP FG% 3P% 2P% FT% TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
2014-15 Liga ACB 3 2.7 .333 .500 .000 .750 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 2.0
2015-16 Liga ACB, EuroLeague 43 13.3 .500 .397 .591 .767 2.7 2.0 0.3 0.3 1.4 1.5 4.5
2016-17 Liga ACB, EuroLeague 67 19.9 .446 .347 .547 .819 4.4 3.7 0.8 0.3 1.9 1.3 7.8
2017-18 EuroLeague, Liga ACB 41 25.0 .475 .323 .603 .815 5.5 4.5 1.0 0.3 2.0 1.3 16.0
154 19.1 .466 .344 .579 .809 4.1 3.3 0.7 0.3 1.7 1.3 8.9

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/20/2018.

Doncic has all the tools to be a great point guard, except on defense. Hopefully, I’m proven wrong or maybe the team that drafts him finds a way to hide him on defense. If drafted by the Suns, then he should able to get Devin Booker easier shots moving forward.

No. 2

Previous ranking: No. 3

Despite dealing with an injury, Marvin Bagley III moved up to the second spot on this big board. For the season, Bagley has averaged 21.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steal, while shooting 59.6 percent on his field goal attempts and 35.4 percent on 3-pointers. It’s not so much the stats, but the energy that Bagley plays with that has him up to the second spot.

As seen above, Bagley has shown some improvement on defense, although he still needs work on that end. Once he returns from injury and he continues to improve on defense, he may challenge for the top spot on this big board. If drafted by the Suns, Bagley will either start at the power forward or center position, based on what the coach would like to do on offense and defense.

No. 1

Previous ranking: No. 1

Deandre Ayton stands a top of the Valley of the Suns big board for the second time. Ayton has proven to be a elite center at the college level. As of right now, Ayton is averaging 19.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.9 blocks and 0.5 steals, while making 60.6 percent of his shots from the floor and 33.3 percent of his shots from deep. In the past, I wrote that Ayton was the second most ready NBA prospect out of all the draft prospects. However as of now, he’s the most NBA ready prospect in this year’s draft. There’s no questioning his play or fit if he were to be drafted by the Suns. He should be able to make an impact right away. If the Suns’ don’t get a top pick to draft him, then they should try everything within their power to trade for the big man.

Next: Did you miss Valley of the Suns Live! 2/19??

While the Phoenix Suns should always have their roster makeup in consideration when drafting a player, the ten players listed in this big board are ranked primarily on skills versus fit. Assuming the Suns get a top ten pick in this summer’s draft, all of these players should be closely scouted by the franchise’s general manager Ryan McDonough and the rest of the front office.

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