Suns linked with Bronny James' teammate in latest mock draft

The NBA Draft continues to edge closer, and the Phoenix Suns have a tough decision to make on what they should do with the 22nd pick. Recently we made the case for exploring a trade with the New York Knicks that would see them move down but also double their selections, although there is no traction on that happening as of now.

Moving on from the pick altogether in favor of a veteran is likely what the Suns' front office would like to do - but as they have entered the second apron as a result of their cap sheet - that is also difficult. The organization not allowed to take back more salary than they'd send out in any deal, which is where Nassir Little's handy contract can enter the equation to help some.

According to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer however, the Suns could now be targeting a teammate of Bronny James at USC.

Talk of the younger James coming to The Valley himself did pick up some steam recently, but that now looks increasingly like a ploy from his father LeBron to ensure the Los Angeles Lakers take him instead. Previous mock drafts across several sites have also pegged the Suns as going after a big man like Zach Edey or Yves Missi, to move on from the creaking Jusuf Nurkic experience.

Only as draft night approaches, both of those prospects continue to make their way up draft boards. Edey in particular could be found as low down as 25th only a couple of months back, and is now being projected to break into some late lottery conversations after some stellar showings at Purdue.

Back to O'Connor though, and at this point he thinks the Suns could actually spring for a point guard in the form of Isaiah Collier. The comparisons being given to the 19-year-old including Tyreke Evans and Emmanuel Mudiay. If that Mudiay comparison seems troubling, then you don't remember what an intriguing prospect he was when he entered the pros.

In any event point guard is the other real need for the franchise, outside of a young center to take minutes off both Nurkic and Drew Eubanks, if he even returns to The Valley next season. The only problem with this selection - which on the surface is a nice fit for both player and team - is that it is unclear just how much Collier could help the Suns win right now.

Which is very much their main goal at this moment, and it is hard to see him taking minutes off a player in Bradley Beal who will be making over $50 million next season. Thinking big picture though, and Collier could be the first of the youngsters who bridge the gap between the here and now, and the not too distance future when Kevin Durant is no longer on the roster.

Thanks to Collier's stout frame, he could potentially chip in on the defensive end if he is a quick learner. For him personally, it would surely be incredible to have three All-Star teammates to tee up each day, and a best case scenario for the team would be something like what Norris Cole or Mario Chalmers gave the LeBron led Miami Heat teams of a decade ago.

A player who organizes the offense, but who will also get out of the way and let the stars cook. Taking a floor general that will take years to even begin to get close to his potential as a player so young would be a big gamble, but the team could always trade him when the pick turns into somebody actually earning a salary in the near future anyway.

This is an interesting direction for the organization to go, and it is one they should surely consider. Young big men also take time to develop, and they don't all just come into the league like Dereck Lively II and immediately have an impact. Point guard is a position of need, and Collier falling into their lap could be just the slice of good fortune the Suns have been lacking.