Valley of the Suns 2018 Mock Draft 1.0

If the Miami pick falls this far down, the Suns should strongly consider flipping it for a chance to move up in the draft or for future considerations. At this point, the cream has been skimmed. If the Suns have to pick here, Robinson is a serious reach, but an interesting one. He’s probably one of the most physically gifted players in the draft. He also has the most question marks given his attitudes towards college and the draft. He’s a super raw prospect, but if he can have a few years on the bench to figure it out, he has seriously high upside.

One of my favorite players in this draft, Williams would be a great addition in L.A. His ability to make highlight reel plays would be a welcomed sight for Clippers fans who no longer see Blake Griffin flying through the sky. He is a raw product who can jump out of the gym, but if he can add some other offensive to his game, he will be truly dangerous. The Clippers hit a similar jackpot with DeAndre Jordan a few years ago and Williams might end up being his replacement with a similar development pattern.

Utah got the steal of the draft at this spot last year. They might be able to pull it off again if they go home with Knox. Knox has elite size and potential, which you could probably say about every player for Kentucky. Rudy Gobert is probably never going to knock down a 3-point shot, but he won’t have to if he’s got Knox developing alongside him. Utah has a chance to create a really special young core and taking the player with the highest potential at this spot makes a lot of sense.

What do you get the team who needs everything? Usually you start with a point guard. Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t going to be a star, but he is going to be a strong player who can play solid defense and has the size to play multiple positions. The team needs to get taller, more athletic, and better on the defensive size. If he can ever find playing time ahead of Austin Rivers he could develop into a quality guard in the league.

The Hornets just don’t make any sense as a unit. They have a lot of talented individual players, but it just doesn’t work when you put it all together. They need to blow this squad up and start over. I know it, you know it, they know it. Kemba Walker is their best piece to move and they won’t want to do that without a plan B. Along comes Sexton who is one of the most reckless/fearless players in this draft. It is unclear if he can be the kind of distributor a team like the Hornets need, but he is a nice piece to start the long rebuilding process around.