Who might the Suns select 4th overall?
One option is if either Marvin Bagley or Luka Doncic somehow slip there, then Phoenix has landed one of the three best players in the draft to pair with another one of the three best players in the same draft. That option is the least likely, but crazier things have happened.
Another option is a good defensive big man, either Mohamed Bamba or Jaren Jackson, Jr. Both men are somewhat raw, but they have shown defensive prowess, shooting range, and good basketball IQ. Either player would allow Ayton to play the PF where he really wants to play. Or they would be a great compliment to Luka Doncic and the ball movement of having so many wings on the floor at the same time.
A flashier option is to perhaps reach just a little, and take Trae Young. Young absolutely lit it up in college last year leading the nation in both scoring and assists per game. He definitely struggled as it got into tournament time, but he also had very little offensive help around him, something he would have an abundance of in Phoenix. The real knock on him is his weakness on defense, and that is definitely something the Suns would have to think about. Unless Booker markedly improves on that end over summer, their starting backcourt would be a liability on tat end, arguably counter-acting any benefit it provides on the offensive end.
However, the sneakiest (and in my opinion best) option for the Suns is man by the name of Michael Porter, Jr. MPJ was the presumptive favorite for the number one overall pick heading into last season, before an injury caused him to miss almost the entire college basketball season. If you don’t know why he was surrounded with so much hype, check this video out and you’ll see for yourself.
MPJ has all the physical tools to be a stud in the NBA. His offensive game could be likened to perhaps a Jayson Tatum, or even a young Carmelo Anthony. He is 6’10” and around 220 pounds. For Phoenix, he would bring the team an incredibly enticing option as a small ball PF. He stretches the floor, he has good ball handling and passing skills, and he rebounds at a decent enough rate.
This is the kind of pick that the Suns would have to make if they can plan for it. If they get the approval of Book and Jackson on playing a small ball lineup, they should go for it. Especially if they take Ayton number one overall, the amount of floor spacing and offensive weapons on the floor would be like the JV version of the Golden State Warriors.