Valley of the Suns 2018 Mock Draft 2.0

Andrew Wiggins is the most frustrating player in the NBA to watch.  When he is on, he’s capable of being a top five player.  However, he’s rarely operating at that level.  Between what he’s getting paid and Thibs’ lack of patience it seems likely that they’re eventually headed for a divorce or at least a rocky stretch.  Having a capable backup who is plug and play ready would give them the ability to hold Wiggins more accountable.  Hutchison is an older prospect with a high IQ who does everything well, but nothing elite.  That sounds like a Thibs kind of player to me.  Bates-Diop should also get a long look here under the same concept.

If Walker is available here, Atlanta will jump for joy.  Walker is a really raw product, but he fits what Atlanta wants to do well.  He’s athletic and has the length to be an above average defender.  He makes a number of bone headed plays on both sides of the court which they’ll need to clean up. If they can improve his basketball IQ and continue to develop his jumper they could get a steal here.

I love Troy Brown.  He’s not likely to become the new Kawhi Leonard by any stretch, but I think he’s likely to become the next Danny Green and that’s not all that bad.  I think he and Lonnie Walker would both be nice fits for the Spurs as they retool and potentially rebuild over the summer.  I’m tired of east coast bias and since I’m a west coast guy and this is a west coast website, we’re going to put Brown here and watch it work out.

The Bucks winning the coin flip for this pick might actually be a huge gift for the Suns long-term.  It’s a win-win scenario as the Bucks fill a huge need.  They’re used to picking the highest ceiling and letting them develop, but they’re no longer in a position where that makes sense.  Thomas gives them someone who can play either guard spot and based on the exploitation of the Bucks’ back court through the year that’s an obvious need.  He’s going to be able to play elite defense and knock down the 3.  That’s what they need in a backup with the Greek Freak doing most of the ball handling.   That fit makes him a better selection than someone like Aaron Holiday.

It’s the Suns and a Kentucky guard.  If he’s still here at 16, the blood oath that Ryan McDonough made with coach Coach Cal dictates that the Suns have to take him.  All wise cracks aside, I think you’re going to end up seeing Knight have a bounce back year and be the starting point guard.  Payton would be nice to have back on a cheap deal.  However, that pathway just screams out mediocrity now and in the future.  Picking up SGA would make a lot of sense.  He’s got really great size for his position and his ability to play defense would help a lot in any lineup that includes Booker.  If/as he develops he’d allow the Suns to have a really rangy defensive unit that were all capable distributors.  If he’s still available at 16 I think the Suns war room should dance a little jig.