The Phoenix Suns’ season is over, which means it is time to look forward to the day that might finally propel them into the playoffs: the NBA Draft.
The 2020 NBA draft was supposed to have been long and gone by now, but we live in 2020 where the Phoenix Suns were one Caris LeVert shot away from making something called a play-in game for the playoffs, so here we are. Nothing is sacred.
Kind of like the morale of society, this NBA draft class is historically weak. It isn’t exactly the 2006 class or even the 2013 class (even though that one had Giannis, no one expected he would become the superstar he is now at the time), but there there is no Zion Williamson, Karl-Anthony Towns, or Anthony Davis-caliber can’t-miss star that has teams praying to the ping-pong ball gods they land #1 overall pick.
As Phoenix Suns General Manager, James Jones, said though back in April:
"“I’m excited about the draft. I know some people aren’t as high on the draft when it doesn’t have star power or marketing powering or sexy names ut I see a lot of good basketball players and that’s what we’re looking for.”"
As a GM, that is what you’re supposed to say. However, depending on where their pick falls on lottery night, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Jones shop it around for a veteran. The Suns already have the youngest roster in the league and will probably bid farewell to their eldest statesman and free agent, Aron Baynes, so drafting a babyfaced 19-year old doesn’t help that situation.
It also doesn’t help that Robert Sarver pawned off the franchise’s G-League affiliate. Knowing his history, he very well could just sell the pick to recoup some lost funds and subvert future losses because let’s be honest with ourselves, it will be a while before fans see the inside of his fancy new arena).
But for the sake of a mock draft, let’s assume he and all other teams keep pick. Here is Valley of the Suns’ first crack at who might fall where in Round 1: