The Phoenix Suns should target Jevon Carter in the 2nd round
By Kyle Manthe
On June 21st all of the attention the Phoenix Suns will receive will be focused on their two first round picks. However later on the there can be some tremendous value found in both of the Suns 2nd round picks. One player that would be a home run selection at any point in the last round is Jevon Carter.
The Phoenix Suns are currently slated with four picks in the 2018 NBA Draft, two in the first round and two in the second.
But while fans are focused on the two first round picks (in case you missed it, they select first overall and 16th), there can still be plenty of value with their two second round picks.
Potentially had at either of their second round picks (31st overall and 59th), if the Suns select Jevon Carter, he could end up being the safest selection they make all night.
Carter has a strong resume that includes being named the NABC defensive player of the year two years in a row. He plays with tremendous hustle and fearlessness at the defensive end – as shown by those awards. His skill does not end there as he is also a capable shooter and facilitator on offense to boot.
With Carter you also get a player who is as battle-tested as you will find in the draft. He has been through four NCAA tournament runs under Bob Huggins at West Virginia, not to mention he also competes against some of the best competition in the Big-12 each year.
Granted this is not specific to Carter, it is important to know when his accomplishments and stats are looked at.
My initial comparison for Jevon Carter is to a player currently on the Phoenix Suns, Shaquille Harrison.
Fans noticed the hustle and defensive ability of Harrison when he was in the game, something the Suns were sorely lacking. This is a major reason why many would be happy with Harrison returning for another year.
However when you compare their stats and accomplishments in college, Harrison does not even compare to Carter.
In his final season at Tulsa, against lesser competition, Harrison had one major flaw that was still on display this season in Phoenix, his 3-point shooting.
In college Harrison shot it at only 19% with 1.7 attempts per game. For comparison Carter shot over 39% at 5.3 attempts per game for West Virginia.
But the skill that Harrison hangs his hat on in the NBA is his defense and his ability to steal the ball. In his final year of college Harrison averaged 1.9 steals a game with an average of 1.8 for his career. Although this is still great, Carter was able to average 3 a game his final year to finish with a career average of 2.3 steals a game, not to mention his previously mentioned national awards.
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Although it is not necessary to compare these two since Harrison is not in the draft, it does help to project the player Carter will become.
Both are roughly equal in their play-making and rebounding ability, along with size. However, overall, Carter is the more skilled player on both ends, before he even begins training with an NBA team.
Jevon Carter checks off every box the Suns will look for with their second round picks. He is a tough defensive-minded player who plays with a chip on his shoulder and can shoot. That is why if the Phoenix Suns get a chance to select Carter at either second round spot they should jump at the chance to do so.