Phoenix Suns Draft Primer: Brandon Clarke
The Phoenix Suns need experience and a defensive identity if they are going to be able to make a playoff push in the loaded Western Conference. Why not draft the prospect with the highest marks in both categories in Gonzaga junior big Brandon Clarke?
The Phoenix Suns don’t need any other “projects.” Phoenix and player development haven’t been uttered in the same sentence for many years — unless a multitude of negative words filled the blank spaces in-between.
Alex Len has started looking like an actual NBA player in Atlanta. Marquese Chriss is still making bone-headed plays — but thankfully in a Cavaliers uniform. Dragan Bender is *squints* somehow still on the team.
And although there are a couple new sheriffs in town, with new General Manager James Jones and Head Coach Monty Williams ushering in a brighter future, the time to start winning some games is right now.
Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker concluded the 2017-18 season by saying “I’m done with not making the playoffs,” and the Suns responded with a less than encouraging 19-win season the very next year.
So what’s the problem here?
It might start with the average age on the current roster being only 24.4 years, according to Fox Sports — even with a 39-year-old Jamal Crawford outlier factoring in.
Phoenix needs veterans, but Phoenix also needs rookies who have the skillset and collegiate experience to step into an immediate role and make plays. A 19-year-old passion project just won’t cut it anymore.
That’s where Brandon Clarke comes in.
Gonzaga’s Brandon Clarke, a Desert Vista HS product, says he interviewed with the #Suns today. As of now, he does not have a workout planned with Phoenix. But he acknowledged it would be rad to play for his hometown team.
— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) May 16, 2019
The 22-year-old junior power forward is one of the oldest prospects in this year’s draft class. Clarke spent two seasons with San Jose State before transferring to Gonzaga and redshirting the 2017-18 season.
He was finally put in the NBA lottery conversation last year after receiving All-American Third Team and West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. He proved he was dangerous on the offensive end as well in the NCAA Tournament against 9-seeded Baylor, where he put up a career-high 36 points to go along with eight rebounds, five blocks and three assists.
With three years of competitive college experience and a clear advantage in life experience over his fellow draft prospects (Clarke is almost two years older than Brandon Ingram), the versatile big man might have the basketball IQ and the NBA readiness to contribute in the Suns frontcourt from day one.