Phoenix Suns: NBA Draft prospects at the Final Four

The Phoenix Suns own their No. 1 pick in the July 29 NBA Draft, and a few recognizable names are under consideration. Tune in on Saturday and Monday to watch these guys.

The 2021 Final Four, which features Baylor-Houston and Gonzaga-UCLA, provides quite a few players projected to be chosen in the two-round draft.

The Phoenix Suns targets for the 2021 NBA Draft include several playing in the Final Four, from useful bigs to wing and shooting depth.

The Phoenix Suns are without their 2021 second-rounder, so this draft (barring a trade) will be a one-and-done. The team’s first-round selection is likely to fall between 22 and 30.

The Pacific Division leaders already are stocked with All-Stars Chris Paul and Devin Booker along with emerging standouts such as Mikal Bridges.

Each of the following players could decide to return to college next season, so some of these players may not enter the draft.

Phoenix Suns 2021 NBA Draft targets for the first round: These guys are likely gone

Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga

A highly skilled 6-4 freshman guard, Suggs is a unanimous top-five pick. He was Mr. Basketball in Minnesota — oh, and Mr. Football. Bright future; just not with Phoenix, unfortunately.

Unless GM James Jones gives up a good deal of the present and the future — and some of Scottsdale — in a trade.

Suggs puts up 13.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. He may go as high as No 2 overall behind Cade Cunningham of Oklahoma State.

Corey Kispert, Gonzaga

The pride of Edmonds, Wash., is a 6-7 senior sharpshooter (46% from long range) whose skills and instinct should translate well into the NBA. He scores 19.0 points per game and contributes 4.9 rebounds. He’s being mock-drafted in the teens of the first round.

He’s the kind of role-playing depth guy a highly ranked and improving Suns team is targeting. Barring a trade, though, he’s a little out of reach.

Davion Mitchell, Baylor

The 6-2 redshirt junior is a beast on defense. He’s a solid, sometimes explosive offensive force, too, with averages of 14.1 points, 5.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game. NBA ready, he’s a 45% 3-point shooter. Mitchell is seen from 13-25 in the majority of NBA mock drafts.

Phoenix Suns 2021 NBA Draft targets for the first round: These guys may be available

Joel Ayayi, Gonzaga

A 6-5 junior, Ayayi is quick and instinctive. He averages 11.9 points and 7.1 rebounds (that’s a lot of rebounds for a relatively slightly built wing). He hits 38.5% of his 3-pointers and is expected to be chosen late in the first round or early in the second.

Jared Butler, Baylor

He has a pretty complete NBA game, and could be a fringe starter in the right environment. At 6-3, he puts up 16.5 points, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game. His repertoire includes a 40% success rate on 3-pointers. His projections range from mid-first round to mid-second round.

Drew Timme, Gonzaga

With his growing popularity, it’s uncertain whether Timme will rise all the way to first-round status, but two big performances — Saturday and Monday — could make him a lot of money. The 6-10 sophomore is projected as a late-first-round to mid-second-round choice. He has the swagger, confidence and passing ability to be a useful power forward in the NBA. He averages 18.9 points and 7.2 points per game.

Quentin Grimes, Houston

The 6-5 junior is the unquestioned team leader. A veteran college player, he is very good at most skills — including a 41% rate from 3-point range, but not spectacular at any, in particular. A likely second-rounder or undrafted camp invitee, he leads the Cougars with 18.0 points per game, as well as 5.8 rebounds.