Phoenix Suns: Post-Lottery Mock Draft

Now that the lottery order has been set, let’s take another look at who might fall to which team in this weak draft class.

The Phoenix Suns have the 10th pick in this average to below-average NBA draft. But why shouldn’t it be, isn’t everything bad in 2020?

Why is it weak? There are zero stars. There are no Zions or Jas, not even a Brandon Clarke. I think after the smoke clears, the 10th player picked in this draft, could literally have been picked number one.

The worst thing that the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors could do, is to select a player with their picks and not trade them.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have the first pick in the draft. That means they are paying one of these not ready for prime-time players $10 million to $11 million a year as the first pick.

The NBA Rookie Draft Scale has not been released yet, but if DeAndre Ayton’s rookie contract in 2018 started at $8,165,160, and 2019’s Zion Williamson’s contract this season paid him $9,757,440, logic would dictate $12 million.

But that is pre-COVID 19 logic. The NBA salary cap officially (as I am writing this) has set its cap at $115 million this season, $2 million less than projected.

So Minnesota’s first pick should be in the $10 million to $12 million range.

With that said, Minnesota should call the Knicks today and trade their pick for the #8, Kevin Knox, and a future first-round pick.

Why? Minnesota actually has two very attractive players that could do well on the Phoenix Suns. However, they are both restricted free agents.

Shooting guard Malik Beasley and Juan Hermangomez are both going to make a minimum of $8-$10 million-plus in free agency. Beasley turned down a 3-year, $30 million extension at the trade deadline with Denver, which is why he was traded to Minnesota.

Hermangomez is a starting forward for a lot of teams, with a game similar to Dario Saric.

My philosophy in this draft is to draft for need because there aren’t any top tier stars in this draft that make sense drafting the best available player.

Here’s a question for you…if Anthony, Ball, and Wiseman are such locks at 1, 2, and 3…why are only a couple teams trying to trade up to get Ball and not the other two? I don’t think things are as set as they appear to be.

Now that the lottery has been solidified, let’s go through each pick.