The Phoenix Suns will still have plenty of draft options despite dropping down to 4th in the 2017 NBA Draft. Doug Haller of The Arizona Republic believes the talent level after the first three picks remains pretty good, with prospects like Josh Jackson of Kansas, Jayson Tatum of Duke, and De’Aaron Fox of Kentucky still available at that point.
Top-heavy draft class
While top-tier prospects like Markelle Fultz of Washington, Lonzo Ball of UCLA, and Josh Jackson of Kansas may no longer available at 4, Haller really thinks this year’s draft is teeming with quality prospects outside the top-3.
“The point is it is a very top heavy draft,” Haller said on AZ Central’s shotclock show with Jay Dieffenbach. “And even at no.4, they should be able to get a pretty good player."
Haller added that the Suns could even get a shot at defensive-oriented wingman Josh Jackson since the Sixers are expected to use their lottery pick for a reliable playmaker like Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox.
“I think of Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox. Philadelphia has that 3rd pick, and Philadelphia needs a point guard. He fits nicely there. If Philadelphia takes Fox, then that probably frees up Jackson, who also fits with them [Suns] very well. He is a defensive-minded player,” Haller added.
Meanwhile, Haller’s co-panelist Dieffenbach added Jayson Tatum of Duke as another potential first-round pick for the Suns because of his ceiling.
Haller also agrees Tatum has that immense upside, though he won’t be that type of player who will make an impact right away.
“Although the Suns have defensive needs, Tatum is worthy of a long look. The Duke small forward has an offensive game that can transfer to the NBA from Day 1. He's polished and versatile, both in the post and on the perimeter.
It's not a stretch to think his ceiling is higher than current Suns forward T.J. Warren. Only issue: Defense wasn't a priority in college.”
Balancing Act for Suns
In his 2017 off-season salary-cap digest for the Suns, Hoops Rumors writer Luke Adams discussed the team’s need to balance their youth movement with the playing time for their veterans.
Although the Suns were successful in adding two future front-court cornerstones in Dragan Bender and Marquese Chris and developing the promising backcourt tandem of Devin Booker and Tyler Ullis, they made veterans like Tyson Chandler, Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe unhappy after losing most of their playing time to the youngsters post-trade window.
Adams expected the Suns to make necessary movements – likely through trades – to ensure the Suns’ youth movement is on the right track. In fact, it won't be surprising if the Suns pulled off a trade on draft night to solve a potential logjam of talents at a certain position right away.
