The Phoenix Suns might be poised to use their lottery pick for their point guard of the future, sending a cloud of doubt on the future of Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight. Doug Haller of the Arizona Republic discussed the Suns’ plan heading into the 2017 NBA Draft.
Playmaking Search
With five of the top 10 prospects in the Draft playing at the point guard spot, Haller thinks the Suns have no choice but to use their lottery pick for another playmaker. Eric Bledsoe might be coming off a career year in points (21.1 ppg on 43 percent FG shooting) and assists (6.3 apg), but Suns general manager Ryan McDonough will find it hard to snub a collection of talented court generals.
“The Suns will look at a promising group of point guards in June’s NBA draft. They have no choice. Washington’s Markelle Fultz, UCLA’s Lonzo Ball, and Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox could be franchise-changing talents. In addition, North Carolina State’s Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Ntilikina of France also have high potential,” according to Haller.
Phoenix already possesses a collection of promising youngsters on their roster led by none other than Devin Booker. According to Marc Stein of ESPN, McDonough and his team are in for a busy offseason as they try to solve a surplus of talent at the point guard position.
Should the Suns use their pick (19 percent to win no.1 pick/ 55 percent to stay in top-3) for another playmaker in the draft, it will become more obvious that one or two of their current playmakers (Bledsoe, Knight, and Tyler Ullis) will be dealt this offseason.
Potential Trades
Bledsoe has been a staple of trade rumors the past two seasons. However, with the Suns leaning towards picking his successor, the former Kentucky Wildcats standout could be on his way out of the Valley of the Suns.
The Detroit Pistons could emerge as a potential suitor, with the head coach and general manager Stan Van Gundy already expressing his frustration frustration with Reggie Jackson’s development.
Knight might be a lot harder to sell after playing just 54 games and shooting 39 percent from the field. Then again, it won’t be surprising at all if another rebuilding team (hello Philadelphia 76ers) will take a gamble on the 25-year old guard. McDonough is still confident Knight will reach his full potential.
“He didn’t have the year that I think he would’ve hoped.
He’s still 25 years old, I think a lot of people forget that. He’s a talented guy. Our main focus will be trying to figure out a way to put him in position to be more effective next season,” said the Suns GM.
