Phoenix Suns NBA Draft: Why Nico Mannion is worth taking at No. 10

Why the Phoenix Suns should select Nico Mannion in the NBA Draft

Sure, Mannion is a great prospect. But why should the Suns take him over a player like Killian Hayes, who may very well be available? They also already have Ricky Rubio as their starting point guard.

Rubio’s backups are not too shabby. Jevon Carter and Cameron Payne were awesome coming off the bench. The Carter/Payne backcourt was a revelation inside the bubble… and both can easily be kept on team-friendly deals.

Still, Mannion is one team’s point guard of the future. Why not the Suns? The need for a starting point guard may come sooner than one might think. Rubio is only 30. But he has been a pro for 16 years. There isn’t much tread left in his tires.

Payne and Carter might take over. Or they may take bigger deals elsewhere. Or they may fizzle out of the rotation when their names appear on opposing scouting reports. I would not expect their production to replicate what happened inside the bubble.

I would get out ahead of this future problem. Take a point guard before it once again becomes a glaring need. The Suns have the luxury of being able to take the best prospect available, as they do not have any immediate needs in their rotation.

Mannion can eventually fill Rubio’s role as a pass-first point guard. All the top wings and guards they will want to take ahead of him will be gone by then. He will likely be the best available prospect by the time the tenth pick rolls around.

Nico Mannion’s overall game is faintly reminiscent of Steve Nash. So why not take someone who might become the Suns next great point guard?