2020 Draft

[Mainstreet]

If they trade back into the mid 20s, I could see him filling the back-up role to Booker. Problem is that he really can't create for himself or others (a weak ball handler and pretty much a one trick pony as an outside shooting specialist who rarely drives or gets to the free throw line), and we already have too many straight catch and shoot guys like that.

This feels like a draft where the Suns could add two players. One via trade by swapping picks and the other with a draft pick.

I will have some angst if the Suns pass on some big men but I'm starting to like the depth in the draft.

 

[Mainstreet]

Desmond Bane is a popular guy. He has interviewed with 26 teams including the Suns.

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[Mainstreet]

This part worries me about Bane as we have seen it with Ty Jerome, a shorter wingspan.

Reportedly James Jones has talked with Bane at length.


By Duane Rankin at azcentral:

Bane doesn’t have the long wingspan (6-4) like your typical NBA player.

At 6-6, 215 pounds, he looks thicker than most shooting guards in the league.

He even went to college for four years after declaring for the 2019 draft following his junior year and returned for his senior year. A significant number of first-round picks are one-and-done talents.


https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...interested-tcu-guard-desmond-bane/5876447002/

 

[overseascardfan]

Desmond Bane is a popular guy. He has interviewed with 26 teams including the Suns.

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We've been going the 4 year college shooter route the last few years (Devon Reed, George King & Cam Johnson), I don't think we need another one as the jury is still out with Johnson (I still wish we would have taken Brandon Clarke or PJ Washington). If we stay at #10 I'd take Jalen Smith who is drawing comparisons to Serge Ibaka because of his shooting range and defense. If we move up I'd look at either Okongwu or Toppin. No need to reach for a PG when we still have Rubio. I'd wait until 2021 draft or look to sign a back up if we do not re-sign Payne.

 

[Mainstreet]

We've been going the 4 year college shooter route the last few years (Devon Reed, George King & Cam Johnson), I don't think we need another one as the jury is still out with Johnson (I still wish we would have taken Brandon Clarke or PJ Washington). If we stay at #10 I'd take Jalen Smith who is drawing comparisons to Serge Ibaka because of his shooting range and defense. If we move up I'd look at either Okongwu or Toppin. No need to reach for a PG when we still have Rubio. I'd wait until 2021 draft or look to sign a back up if we do not re-sign Payne.

Duane Rankin did an extensive write-up on Bane so I'm wondering if there is some smoke there. My heart is in drafting a big man or a point guard. Suns can't afford not to be athletic although Bane appears more athletic than Jerome. Shorter wing spans always worry me.

 

[1Sun]

Duane Rankin did an extensive write-up on Bane so I'm wondering if there is some smoke there. My heart is in drafting a big man or a point guard. Suns can't afford not to be athletic although Bane appears more athletic than Jerome. Shorter wing spans always worry me.

And one-trick ponies and major reaches in the Lottery always worry me.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

We've been going the 4 year college shooter route the last few years (Devon Reed, George King & Cam Johnson), I don't think we need another one as the jury is still out with Johnson (I still wish we would have taken Brandon Clarke or PJ Washington). If we stay at #10 I'd take Jalen Smith who is drawing comparisons to Serge Ibaka because of his shooting range and defense. If we move up I'd look at either Okongwu or Toppin. No need to reach for a PG when we still have Rubio. I'd wait until 2021 draft or look to sign a back up if we do not re-sign Payne.

I like Jalen smith but anyone comparing him to ibaka doesn’t know basketball. Ibaka was a next level athlete. Smith is not. May even be a tad below average. He’s a good shotblocker . . . in college. I say that only after watching highlights of him. He’s got excellent timing on blocking shots but not much lift. That works against lesser athletes and shorter opposition that you’ll find in greater amounts in college, but falls short in the pros. I wouldn’t be disappointed if we took him at 10, I just wouldn’t ever expect his play to rise to the level of ibaka, ever. I don’t think he has the physical makeup to get there.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Duane Rankin did an extensive write-up on Bane so I'm wondering if there is some smoke there. My heart is in drafting a big man or a point guard. Suns can't afford not to be athletic although Bane appears more athletic than Jerome. Shorter wing spans always worry me.

Agree. At a time when length means everything, below average length is a concern. Can anyone provide an example of a guy with subpar arm length that’s succeeded?

 

[AzStevenCal]

We've been going the 4 year college shooter route the last few years (Devon Reed, George King & Cam Johnson), I don't think we need another one as the jury is still out with Johnson (I still wish we would have taken Brandon Clarke or PJ Washington). If we stay at #10 I'd take Jalen Smith who is drawing comparisons to Serge Ibaka because of his shooting range and defense. If we move up I'd look at either Okongwu or Toppin. No need to reach for a PG when we still have Rubio. I'd wait until 2021 draft or look to sign a back up if we do not re-sign Payne.

I don't see this as a trend in any way. There is a huge difference between taking a 4 year player in the second round or bottom of the first versus taking one in the lottery.

 

[Mainstreet]

Agree. At a time when length means everything, below average length is a concern. Can anyone provide an example of a guy with subpar arm length that’s succeeded?

This doesn't answer your question for the entire NBA but I found this for the 2019 NBA Draft Combine.

The four worst wingspans have been revealed, which includes Tyler Herro, Ty Jerome, Luke Samanic and Brandon Clarke.

Tyler Herro and Brandon Clarke project to be good NBA players.

There are other factors that go with it such as: athleticism, leaping ability and quick release on the shot.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Eddie House would be another good comparison. Both had their moments off the bench from time to time, but neither ultimately could stick anywhere in the NBA.

You just talked me into Terry. With the way the game has changed, Eddie House would be a star in today's NBA. But seriously, I'm closer to neutral on Terry. I only saw him twice last season and as I recall, he was very good against UCLA but a complete ghost against Arizona.

If the front office, scouts and coaches think he can/has developed overall to the point they can project him as an eventual backcourt mate with Booker, I'm fine with his selection. I'd still rather add an all around big that can help our defense but we need guard help now and in the near future too.

 

[GatorAZ]

I like Jalen smith but anyone comparing him to ibaka doesn’t know basketball. Ibaka was a next level athlete. Smith is not. May even be a tad below average. He’s a good shotblocker . . . in college. I say that only after watching highlights of him. He’s got excellent timing on blocking shots but not much lift. That works against lesser athletes and shorter opposition that you’ll find in greater amounts in college, but falls short in the pros. I wouldn’t be disappointed if we took him at 10, I just wouldn’t ever expect his play to rise to the level of ibaka, ever. I don’t think he has the physical makeup to get there.

Ibaka was a better athlete than Smith projects to be but I don’t remember him as an elite one. He was freakishly long and had great instincts defensively right away. I agree about Jalen not being close right now to contribute physically he moves more like Channing Frye.

 

[Raindog]

Bane? As a UFA... maybe. As a lottery pick? Barf...

I am really hoping that this isn't all signaling a trend that Jones is partial to pursuing guys who "remind him of himself." Because Jones quite frankly was not a very good player... and we've already had more than our share of those.

I know Cam worked out decently, even if he was overdrafted. Jerome did not, and likely will not be in the league for too much longer. The Suns can't afford to push their luck with unathletic types. They don't have that much margin for error.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't see this as a trend in any way. There is a huge difference between taking a 4 year player in the second round or bottom of the first versus taking one in the lottery.

Although Cam Johnson was taken in the lottery at #11.

 

[Mainstreet]

In defense of Jalen Smith, he is an excellent shooter, fairly athletic, can rebound and block shots. He has skills. Perhaps more upside than Brandon Clarke.

 

[GatorAZ]

Unless Obi drops to #10 who is probably talented enough to play the 4 right now I’m taking a PG. There’s no better team to go to for one of these young PG’s to develop than Phoenix. You have the Rubio factor, an elite backcourt mate to take the pressure off and what looks to be a couple sharp shooting wings. And maybe, hopefully a big with soft hands that you can feed anc watch him dominate offensively.

Charlotte
Chicago
New York
Detroit
Washington
Cleveland...

These are where young PG’s go to die.

 

[Finito]

Although Cam Johnson was taken in the lottery at #11.

that’s the bottom of the lottery though.

 

[Finito]

6’6 with a 6’4 wingspan? NO

 

[GatorAZ]

In defense of Jalen Smith, he is an excellent shooter, fairly athletic, can rebound and block shots. He has skills. Perhaps more upside than Brandon Clarke.

Clarke is twitchy and springy. So much in fact his measurables don’t really hinder him. Smith will be good when he grows into his body but I don’t think we have that time.

 

[Mainstreet]

that’s the bottom of the lottery though.

It's not the bottom of the first round.

 

[Cheesebeef]

6’6 with a 6’4 wingspan? NO

and not a great athlete? Hard no.

 

[Mainstreet]

Clarke is twitchy and springy. So much in fact his measurables don’t really hinder him. Smith will be good when he grows into his body but I don’t think we have that time.

My primary concern is not missing on the pick and drafting BPA regardless of position.

If the Suns are counting on drafting a power forward to play other than off the bench, it's a not a good strategy. Smith's shooting should translate more quickly. I understand your point he is not "twitchy and springy."

 

[AzStevenCal]

Although Cam Johnson was taken in the lottery at #11.

Yeah, I was pointing out that Cam alone doesn't equal trend. I'm concerned about what we do with quality pick spots. What we do at the 32nd or 59th pick matters little in the scheme of things, what we do over the long run with picks in the top 20 or so makes or breaks a franchise. I have no problem with drafting low ceiling 4 year players in the second round but I would hope for more than that when we're drafting in the lottery.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yeah, I was pointing out that Cam alone doesn't equal trend. I'm concerned about what we do with quality pick spots. What we do at the 32nd or 59th pick matters little in the scheme of things, what we do over the long run with picks in the top 20 or so makes or breaks a franchise. I have no problem with drafting low ceiling 4 year players in the second round but I would hope for more than that when we're drafting in the lottery.

I couldn't agree more.

It would be nice to hit on a second round pick now and then although the Suns currently do not have one in this draft.

 

[JerkFace]

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