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Phoenix Suns need to draft a point guard with the 16th pick

By Lucas Johnson

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: General Manager of the Phoenix Suns, Ryan McDonough talks to the media after getting the number one pick in the 2018 NBA Draft during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: General Manager of the Phoenix Suns, Ryan McDonough talks to the media after getting the number one pick in the 2018 NBA Draft during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Assuming the Phoenix Suns keep the 16th pick of the NBA draft this summer, then the position they need to draft with that selection is point guard.

The Phoenix Suns already have a tough enough decision trying to decide what to do with the first overall pick between prospects like Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic, but the first pick in the draft isn’t the only first round pick they own. In each of the mock big boards I have written Ayton is ranked the top prospect, as well as in the mock drafts by NBADraft.net, SI.com, USA Today, CBS Sports and Basketball Insiders. If General Manager Ryan McDonough goes with the popular choice and selects Ayton first overall, then the Suns need to select a point guard with their second first round pick.

The Suns’ need for a starting caliber point guard is beyond evident. In the past, I made the assertion in an article that the Suns should let Elfrid Payton walk this summer, with the primary reason being due to Brandon Knight and his contract. In that piece I wrote how it would be near impossible to move Knight at this point. Knight is clearly not the long-term answer at point guard, but he would be a nice stop gap for the team while the club takes time to develop the point guard selected with the 16th pick.

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Phoenix Suns

Another aspect of the draft to consider is that most of the big men in the draft are lottery selections. On NBADraft.net, the mock draft has Mitchell Robinson, Jontay Porter and Omari Spellman as the only big men available in the first round after the 15th pick, all of which would need time to develop into starters, if they ever do become starters.

If the Suns were to select Doncic with the first pick, then they would have to move up by trading the 16th pick to gain a starting level big in the draft. While that certainly is an option, why would the Suns give up players and/or picks if it’s not necessary? Doncic will most likely be a good, if not great player. But Ayton is a can’t miss prospect and selecting him would easily set up the Suns to select a point guard with the 16th pick.

However, if the Suns do pick Doncic first, point guard is still the deepest position when the team picks again in the first round with the 16th selection. If Doncic doesn’t prove to be able to be a lead guard, then the Suns still have selected a playmaker of the future if they go point guard with the 16th spot.

For those worried about not getting a starting caliber point guard with the 16th pick, put yourselves at ease. There are a handful of quality point guards that could become starting level players in only a year or two. Players like Aaron Holiday and Jalen Brunson are still projected to be available at the 16th pick and beyond in the first round, according NBADraft.net.

Next: Calling Divac: Could the Phoenix Suns trade with Sacramento

The ongoing debate with Ayton and Doncic will continue for quite a while. Regardless of who goes with the first pick, the best choice for the Phoenix Suns is to pick a point guard with their second first round pick. It will solidify the point guard position moving forward for the club.

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