Trade down scenarios with the #1 pick

[Cheesebeef]

They better not trade num 1 pick! Would be the last mistake sarver made if he did.

Ayton has potential it would be like missing out on the Ewing lottery all over again.

I would be curing all day if this happened

there would be no curing if this happened!!!

 

[Mainstreet]

I apologize if I offended anyone. Maybe I misunderstood exactly what Chris was saying and responded out of my confusion.

We all take this too seriously at times.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

I don’t know how many games y’all watched but I watched every game I could. He may not have been bolted to the floor in the lane but a lot of the commentary paints an image of Ayton parked at the arc defensively and that just wasn’t the case. A full additional block per game is a big overstatement. I could see, at most, an additional half block a game and even then I’m not sold that is accurate. His defensive awareness and timing in rim protection was less than impressive.

Agreed. I broke him down all season. Playing more in the paint wasnt improving his lack of rim protection.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

you don't score 20 ppg in college... as a freshman... with horrendous guard play if you don't have elite scoring ability.

Say what you want about his D (and there's room to say a lot), but saying he's not an elite scorer, with elite skills from a 5 just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

I kinda wonder if he's getting the treatment I erroneously gave Tatum last year. Thinking he was pretty much a finished product and ceiling wouldn't get much higher. I was dead wrong there and think you'll be proven dead wrong here. This dude offensive arsenal for a freshman is pretty stunning and I think he's got the ability to get much much better.

Yeah, Ayton's offensive upside is unlimited. Athleticism, body control, foot work, touch, projectable jumper, decent passer, can attack off the dribble, good in the post, good second jump on the offensive glass. All that, and he still has plenty of offensive upside if he can create off the bounce better and increase his range.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Good video about this. Under our page look at Ayton's weaknesses.

Basically they 100% dispute the idea that he was on the perimeter.

They show him standing in the middle of the lane and making zero effort to block shots on drives.

The offensive identity is also what they bring up here.

http://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/phx/phoenix-suns

Been shooting down this narrative since I started posting here again. He just wasnt good at protecting the rim, and defending PFs had little to do with it, if you actually watched his tape.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm hoping with coaching Ayton can improve his shot blocking skills by better positioning. However, I'm not sure how much this can be coached.

 

[HeHasRosen]

Something that needs to be remembered here is that most of the top picks are being rated on their potential. Not a one of the top 10 picks dominated the game. I think the only two guys that literally took over games were Ayton and Young. And Young the most and more so in the beginning of the season. Sexton did a couple times but hes not even in the top 10. Ayton has played the least amount of basketball of probably anyone in the draft. I doubt he just picked up a ball at 12 and had the touch and range he has. He picks things up fast. Its obvious. If you watched the red and blue to the buffalo game than you saw this. He improved a ton.

U of A was not themselves this season. To many distractions. That along with Sean Miller not being a good coach, Ayton playing out on the perimeter and his team just not playing defense period contribute to this.

He will reach his potential in the NBA. Its a whole different set of circumstances. Being the number one pick and having people question his defensive ability will contribute to this. He just needs to be motivated. Booker and JJ are gonna be hungry this year. Lots of hype around this team. That will make a difference. I believe he is a generational talent. He will develop into a rim protector.

I predict rookie of the year. And even a possible playoff birth in his first year.

 

[Chaplin]

i know, i know. it's just that the board is so relatively harmonious that's it's a little boring right now!

Maybe we should start up Movie-A-Day again. That always gets blood boiling!

 

[GatorAZ]

gotcha.

I think people are just over-analyzing the guy at this point. He's got skills that are out of this world, but it definitely remains to be seen if ever reaches that potential and how much Miller's coaching either held him back or exposed his weaknesses.

I didn’t think Markannen would be a bust but I thought he’d really struggle and be overwhelmed early on and that wasn’t the case. Averaged over 18/9 per-36 and looked comfortable playing for Hoiberg. It does give me some hope for Ayton coming into a creative offense.

Someone here thought we should’ve taken him at 4 and I said it was laughable. Turned out he was better than I thought.

 

[Mainstreet]

I didn’t think Markannen would be a bust but I thought he’d really struggle and be overwhelmed early on and that wasn’t the case. Averaged over 18/9 per-36 and looked comfortable playing for Hoiberg. It does give me some hope for Ayton coming into a creative offense.

Someone here thought we should’ve taken him at 4 and I said it was laughable. Turned out he was better than I thought.

@AzStevenCal liked Markkanen a lot.

 

[Mainstreet]

i know, i know. it's just that the board is so relatively harmonious that's it's a little boring right now!

Something like this.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[Cheesebeef]

I didn’t think Markannen would be a bust but I thought he’d really struggle and be overwhelmed early on and that wasn’t the case. Averaged over 18/9 per-36 and looked comfortable playing for Hoiberg. It does give me some hope for Ayton coming into a creative offense.

Someone here thought we should’ve taken him at 4 and I said it was laughable. Turned out he was better than I thought.

I was definitely one of those people laughing and was wrong too.

 

[BC867]

Why would they even blow the chance to actually pick at number 1 when it's their first time in franchise history to do so?

This is a very important point! 50 years of waiting for the 1st pick. If we give it away, it would solidify the perception that our Phoenix Suns don't even think strong, let alone act strong.

Perception is reality. In something as transparent as pro sports, it is not just what you do, but how you do it.

Picture the headlines. Really, stop and imagine the headlines from coast to coast. Across the country and on the networks.

Picture Valley resident Charles Wade Barkley. No, I don't want to picture that. Because I'd be right there with him.

 

[Weenus O'Baggins]

I didn’t think Markannen would be a bust but I thought he’d really struggle and be overwhelmed early on and that wasn’t the case. Averaged over 18/9 per-36 and looked comfortable playing for Hoiberg. It does give me some hope for Ayton coming into a creative offense.

Someone here thought we should’ve taken him at 4 and I said it was laughable. Turned out he was better than I thought.

I wanted no part of Markkanen because I was thinking he was too passive after U of A flamed out and he made no impact.

Sound familiar?

Yep this is exactly what we are hearing about Ayton. Which is precisely why I dismiss this criticism.

 

[Weenus O'Baggins]

i know, i know. it's just that the board is so relatively harmonious that's it's a little boring right now!

Honestly it is why I tried to put up some of the odd counter Ayton talk I heard today. I want some conversation that isn't all "Ayton Ayton Ayton" even if I think it's really dumb.

It's too bad I can't get my buddy to post here because he hates Ayton.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

I didn’t think Markannen would be a bust but I thought he’d really struggle and be overwhelmed early on and that wasn’t the case. Averaged over 18/9 per-36 and looked comfortable playing for Hoiberg. It does give me some hope for Ayton coming into a creative offense.

Someone here thought we should’ve taken him at 4 and I said it was laughable. Turned out he was better than I thought.

Glad I wasnt around here last year. People would have hated me.

 

[AzStevenCal]

...Markannen...
Someone here thought we should’ve taken him at 4 and I said it was laughable. Turned out he was better than I thought.

Yeah, that has to be me although I didn't actually push for us to draft him. I just didn't agree with the idea that drafting him at 4 would be a horrible mistake. I think he's going to have a great career at a position that is difficult to fill. But I don't regret Josh, I think he's going to be the best player from that class eventually.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Yeah, that has to be me although I didn't actually push for us to draft him. I just didn't agree with the idea that drafting him at 4 would be a horrible mistake. I think he's going to have a great career at a position that is difficult to fill. But I don't regret Josh, I think he's going to be the best player from that class eventually.

I love Josh and think he will definitely be a star, possibly even a superstar, but you think he's going to be better than Donovan Mitchell eventually? That kid reminds me a ton of Dwayne Wade and already showed the most important thing that separates the men from the boys... the ability to lift his game in the playoffs, going from 20/4/4 to 24/4/6.

 

[Good Guy]

I like the idea of trading down to 2-4, but I can’t think of any scenarios where that would make sense for the other team. I like Ayton, but I like Doncic, Bamba, and JJJ just a hair more, so of course I’d be fine with trading down to pick up an extra pick or a useful veteran. I love the idea of continuing to collect picks even if it seems like now is the time to cash in all the assets.

As much as Ayton dominated offensively, I can’t shake the idea that he might not make the team that much better. He’ll put up stats for sure. Whereas I have a much clearer idea of Doncic’s vision and passing making Chriss and Bender serviceable offensive players while also helping Booker elevate to the next level. And the other two big men just seem safer from the defensive end while having some offensive potential.

I see Ayton as Cousins-type impact and the other guys as Al Horford-type impact.

My opinion is still very fluid on all these guys so I still expect to enjoy arguing with myself for the next 9 days.

 

[GatorAZ]

I love Josh and think he will definitely be a star, possibly even a superstar, but you think he's going to be better than Donovan Mitchell eventually? That kid reminds me a ton of Dwayne Wade and already showed the most important thing that separates the men from the boys... the ability to lift his game in the playoffs, going from 20/4/4 to 24/4/6.

Jackson might be an elite role player if he improves his shot. Mitchell is already a borderline star. He can create his own shot and take over games single-handedly.

If JJ can be in that Iguodala mold I’d be thrilled.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I love Josh and think he will definitely be a star, possibly even a superstar, but you think he's going to be better than Donovan Mitchell eventually? That kid reminds me a ton of Dwayne Wade and already showed the most important thing that separates the men from the boys... the ability to lift his game in the playoffs, going from 20/4/4 to 24/4/6.

You're right, I misspoke. I meant to say the best of the lottery picks. I didn't see Donovan Mitchell coming at all, he's been incredible and a complete revelation. Maybe Josh passes Mitchell by but that's more hope than belief.

 

[Cheesebeef]

You're right, I misspoke. I meant to say the best of the lottery picks. I didn't see Donovan Mitchell coming at all, he's been incredible and a complete revelation. Maybe Josh passes Mitchell by but that's more hope than belief.

with ya there. out of the lotto picks, it prob comes down to Tatum and Josh.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

You're right, I misspoke. I meant to say the best of the lottery picks. I didn't see Donovan Mitchell coming at all, he's been incredible and a complete revelation. Maybe Josh passes Mitchell by but that's more hope than belief.

Mitchell was a lottery pick

I will fully admit that I think JJ will be a better player than him though.

 

[Errntknght]

Spurred on by AzSteven's assurances that Lauri would be HOF, I floated the idea of drafting him at 4, but I didn't say I'd do it... I merely wondered if I'd have the guts to reach that far, if I were making the selection. Even that drew plenty of scoffs and , of course, I put the onus on Steve. Imagine if someone would have suggested drafting Mitchell at 4.

It's quite amazing how strong the impetus is to go along with group think. It seems that even the pros get caught up in it. Of course, the rankings in the mocks might originate from leaks from them, though it sure seems like it comes more from people who create the mocks. I mean they start making them way in advance and there's quite a bit of movement throughout the college season but one usually sees the movement is generally linked to game action.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Mitchell was a lottery pick

I will fully admit that I think JJ will be a better player than him though.

Okay, I should have said "best of the expected- at-the-time lottery picks". I hope I have it right this time, I have no more room for movement here.