10th pick, who do we like?

[Folster]

I want to hear the Gambo 5 later today. He said he was going to work on it yesterday.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Brunson was pick #33. He was projected as a back-up and was thought to have a low ceiling. Suns picked Okobo at #31. If you want to say we should have picked Brunson at #31, I agree, but he wasn't sniffing the lottery where the Suns were picking in the first round in 2018.

Of course I'm talking about at 31. Point is that we overlooked good basketball players for positional fit or perceived "potential". Something I have also fallen into in the past, but I now see the error in focusing too hard on those things.

 

[Folster]

Of course I'm talking about at 31. Point is that we overlooked good basketball players for positional fit or perceived "potential". Something I have also fallen into in the past, but I now see the error in focusing too hard on those things.

It's tough, because potential picks can sometimes pay off and net you players like Giannis, but they are few and far between. Preferably you want to see some proven ability at the lower level.

 

[Proximo]

Ok, this Noa Essenque guy is interesting. Just heard Bickley say Suns might be linked to him.

Looking at his highlights he reminds me of Scottie Pippen. I like the upside on this guy.

Raptors apparently had a secret workout with him - and they pick 9th. I think I might want this guy now.

Actually he is skipping his Euroleague final to be at the draft tonight - and sounds like he was kissing up to the Raptors. The site I am looking at suggest he will be Toronto's pick.

If that's true it likely means Maluach will be there at 10 if you want him.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

It's tough, because potential picks can sometimes pay off and net you players like Giannis, but they are few and far between. Preferably you want to see some proven ability at the lower level.

It's just crazy looking back with a guy like Brunson and trying to understand why he was so undervalued. He was literally AP POY and national champion coming out of college. His skill set also immediately translated to the NBA as he was a good rookie and looked like a solid starting PG in the 2nd half of his rookie season. Teams were simply caught up on his physical profile and overlooked how skilled of a player he was.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

It's just crazy looking back with a guy like Brunson and trying to understand why he was so undervalued. He was literally AP POY and national champion coming out of college. His skill set also immediately translated to the NBA as he was a good rookie and looked like a solid starting PG in the 2nd half of his rookie season. Teams were simply caught up on his physical profile and overlooked how skilled of a player he was.

Dort too, who wasn't even drafted! His shot was bad, but he had a definable NBA skill.

 

[Mainstreet]

Ok, this Noa Essenque guy is interesting. Just heard Bickley say Suns might be linked to him.

Looking at his highlights he reminds me of Scottie Pippen. I like the upside on this guy.

Raptors apparently had a secret workout with him - and they pick 9th. I think I might want this guy now.

Actually he is skipping his Euroleague final to be at the draft tonight - and sounds like he was kissing up to the Raptors. The site I am looking at suggest he will be Toronto's pick.

If that's true it likely means Maluach will be there at 10 if you want him.

John Gambadoro and Kellan Olson, to a lesser extent, are the only two Suns writers I follow there.

 

[Folster]

Dort too, who wasn't even drafted! His shot was bad, but he had a definable NBA skill.

He had an NBA body already as well. I remember when I first saw him and I couldn't believe he wasn't on the NBA radar as well.

 

[Mainstreet]

I've been going through some video, still a long way to go, but Rasheer Fleming PF Saint Joseph's, caught my eye. He can sky and finish. Wonder why he is not getting more love.

I also like the ball handling skills of PF/C Danny Wolf.

A trade down from #10 might be interesting.

​

I see some local writers are now giving Rasheer Fleming the attention he deserves.

He certainly is one of the players that caught my attention. The same with Thomas Sorber.

 

[Mainstreet]

Ok, this Noa Essenque guy is interesting. Just heard Bickley say Suns might be linked to him.

Looking at his highlights he reminds me of Scottie Pippen. I like the upside on this guy.

Raptors apparently had a secret workout with him - and they pick 9th. I think I might want this guy now.

Actually he is skipping his Euroleague final to be at the draft tonight - and sounds like he was kissing up to the Raptors. The site I am looking at suggest he will be Toronto's pick.

If that's true it likely means Maluach will be there at 10 if you want him.

The measurements on Noa Essengue make him much more attractive.


By Jonathan Givony, Jeremy Woo, ESPN, Jun 25, 2025, 02:55 PM ETN:

9. Toronto Raptors​

Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm
Germany | TS%: 61.1

Height without shoes: 6-10 | Weight: 204
Standing reach: 9-2 | Wingspan: 7-1

Essengue's predraft process officially started Sunday, when he departed Ulm following Game 3 of the German league playoffs, landing in Toronto for a secret private workout before flying to New York for the green room participants' media day. He is also expected to meet with the Nets while in New York and has picked up significant interest from the Suns, who could select him should he fall to No. 10.

Two-round NBA mock draft: What we're hearing hours from the draft

Round 1 of the NBA draft is tonight (8 ET on ABC and ESPN), and we have the intel on trade talks and picks.

www.espn.com

 

[Proximo]

first 2 of the Gambo 5
Essenque, Murray-Boyles

 

[Folster]

first 2 of the Gambo 5
Essenque, Murray-Boyles

#3 is Queen. Bleh.

 

[Proximo]

Next 2 of the Gambo 5
Derik Queen, Asa Nowell


He also said that Suns will take Maluach if he is on the board, but everyone he talked to said he will not be

So far I like 3 of the 4. Not really a fan of Murray Boyles

 

[Folster]

#3 is Queen. Bleh.

#4 is Asa Newell. Meh.

 

[Folster]

Next 2 of the Gambo 5
Derik Queen, Asa Nowell


He also said that Suns will take Maluach if he is on the board, but everyone he talked to said he will not be

So Gambo has 6 actually and we pick 10. Pretty good odds for Gambo considering the first 2 picks of the draft are locked.

 

[Proximo]

So Gambo has 6 actually and we pick 10. Pretty good odds for Gambo considering the first 2 picks of the draft are locked.

He said throw away his 5 if Maluach is on the board - he will be the pick if he is available

 

[SunsTzu]

He said throw away his 5 if Maluach is on the board - he will be the pick if he is available

His poor testing numbers and lack of box stats has me worried.

 

[Proximo]

Kellen and Gambo both want Suns to pick Murray-Boyles. Please no. I don't want a less skilled, less strong, less crazy Draymond Green

 

[Proximo]

His poor testing numbers and lack of box stats has me worried.

Yeah, I'm not real excited about him either. He screams middle of the pack center at best. I don't see much potential for him to be anything beyond a poor man's Gobert.

 

[Folster]

His poor testing numbers and lack of box stats has me worried.

Taller Bismack Biyombo.

 

[Proximo]

#5 is Carter Bryant

No thanks.

 

[Folster]

#5 is Carter Bryant.

No Thomas Sorber... Dang.

 

[MadCardDisease]

first 2 of the Gambo 5
Essenque, Murray-Boyles

I'd be happy with either of these two.

 

[Bufalay]

I like Derik Queen. Hope he is the pick.

Derik Queen, C, Maryland​

Height: 6-9¼ | Age: 20.4 | TS%: 60.0 | PR: 13

Strengths: Queen is the most skilled big man in this draft. His ability to create shots facing the basket, pass and use his frame in the post makes him a significant mismatch.

Weaknesses: He lacks length and explosiveness for an NBA center and struggles with poor conditioning, which makes his upside defensively unclear. He will need to develop his ability to stretch the floor, as he's stuck between the power forward and center positions currently.

The verdict: Queen has no shortage of offensive talent and lifted the Terrapins to an outstanding season. Improving his shooting and conditioning will help alleviate concerns about his defensive intensity. --

Another center from Maryland like Alex Len and Jalen Smith?

 

[Proximo]

I want Essengue or Queen