The NBA Draft is coming up, which means The Game Haus will be doing draft profiles for each NBA team. Each day, a new team will be analyzed for their past season, their team needs and targets. Today, the Phoenix Suns will be evaluated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcH2lB2XMPk
The Suns had an abysmal 2018-2019 season, tying Cleveland for the second-worst record in the entire NBA. Despite landing the number one pick last year, which turned into center DeAndre Ayton, a Rookie of the Year finalist, Phoenix did not have similar luck in this year’s lottery. The Suns’ pick landed just outside the top five.
Outside of Ayton, guard Devin Booker continued to progress this season, averaging career-highs in points and assists with 26.6 and 6.8. After being acquired from Washington, forward Kelly Oubre averaged 16.9 points for Phoenix on a career-best shooting percentage. Oubre is a restricted free agent this summer, and at 23 years old, the Suns should try and keep him going forward.
Beyond those three building blocks, the Suns don’t have many other promising players. While their first round pick isn’t as high as they may have hoped, Phoenix needs to use this draft to their advantage as they begin the Monty Williams era.
The Suns have two picks in the 2019 NBA Draft.
First Round: Pick No. 6
Second Round: Pick No. 32
Point guard- The Suns will need to find a reliable point guard going into next season. Tyler Johnson did not have much impact after being acquired from Miami, and rookie De’Anthony Melton had little to no impact. This is the position that Phoenix needs to upgrade at the most, whether it is through the draft or free agency.
Power forward- The Suns had four players at the power forward spot this season, none of whom were effective. Since Dragan Bender did not play well, Phoenix often put small forwards in at the four spot. A good power forward to go alongside Ayton in the paint is a major need for Phoenix heading into the offseason.
First Round, Pick No. 6: Coby White, PG, North Carolina
With Ja Morant almost certainly off the board, the Suns could take Coby White, arguably the next best point guard in the 2019 draft class.
Coby White. Photo credited to Getty Images.
In his one and only season at UNC, White averaged 16 points on 42 percent shooting, and averaged 4.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.
White’s scoring ability would lead him to pass Michael Jordan on the school’s freshman scoring list. UNC lost to Auburn in the Sweet Sixteen after a 29-7 season.
At 6-foot-5, White could already fit in among the NBA’s point guards. White alongside Booker in Phoenix’s backcourt would be an upgrade from the current point guard depth. While the Suns will likely target someone like Terry Rozier in free agency, White can develop into a formidable point guard over time.
Second Round, Pick No. 32: Jalen McDaniels, PF, San Diego State
The Suns can address their power forward need in the early second round. If SDSU sophomore Jalen McDaniels is still available, he could be taken with the 32nd pick.
McDaniels is 6-foot-10, making him already built for the NBA. Last season, he averaged 15.9 points per game on 46 percent shooting, in addition to grabbing 8.3 rebounds. McDaniels’ size and athleticism make him a good pick up for the Suns.
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