Latest mock draft leaves Suns fans excited by potential NBA Draft pick

The Phoenix Suns are caught in the middle of a Kevin Durant trade storm right now, and it is a situation that they would surely love to get resolved ahead of the NBA Draft. If they manage to do so - and right now that outcome is not looking very good - then they could find themselves with additional draft captial in what many believe could be a sneaky stacked draft class.

Even if a deal doesn't go down, the organization still have the 29th pick in the first round of the draft. Far away from the exciting lottery selections, but a chance for first year head coach Jordan Ott to add to the roster no less. ESPN's latest mock draft has been released ahead of the big day, and it is exciting news for the Suns and their fans.

ESPN has Suns taking Walter Clayton Jr. late in first round.

Clayton Jr.'s name started doing the rounds during the NCAA tournament, and in truth his play during March may be the reason the Suns end up missing out on the point guard. As far back as April we put forward the idea of the organization selecting him, but since then he has earned a green room invite for draft night. A sign that he could be gone by the time the Suns are on the board.

But if ESPN think there's a chance he ends up in The Valley, then it is an idea worth exploring. The need for a point guard is obvious - and one that the Suns can rely on to lead the team long-term - although at six feet, two inches, he will be giving up a lot of size out there on most nights. Then again, that doesn't appear to be hindering T.J. McConnell too much during these NBA Finals.

Sticking with the McConnell comparisons for now, and there is an underrated way the Suns should be using Clayton Jr. in his rookie season if they do end up snagging him. He looks like an excellent spark off the bench, and could be just what coach Ott needs in year one to ensure that the team's bench has some punch to it once Durant has skipped town.

This would also then elevate Bradley Beal back to the starting lineup - and although that is a far less exciting outcome here - it is the situation the Suns are stuck in while Beal has two years left on his current contract. Clayton Jr. would then make the transition away from Beal more seamless as he is given more reps with the starting group, before hopefully taking the position on full-time.

Even if he isn't the player the Suns end up taking - and if that happens it will be because he's gone by the time they're up - their track record at selecting players has been sneaky good the last few years. Toumani Camara still hurts, but both Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro were solid selections. Finding Collin Gillespie was a plus as well. The Suns might be a mess, but they can identify young talent.