Phoenix Suns NBA Draft: Why They Must Ignore Red Flags

Phoenix Suns NBA Draft possibility? Muhammad has an NBA-ready skillset. (Photo Credit: SportsAngle.com)

The Phoenix Suns are in an unenviable position right now, as they have no stars and are multiple pieces away from returning to prominence in the Western Conference.  The Suns want the perfect combination of on-court skill and off-court grace, but how often does a LeBron James come around? The Suns can’t afford to be picky at this point. They need to make a splash and they need to do it now.

Sure, they’re better off than a team like the Milwaukee Bucks or Detroit Pistons because of location. Most sane people would rather live in Phoenix as opposed to Milwaukee or Detroit (how many people do you know moved there voluntarily?)

With six first-round draft picks in the next three years, the Suns have an opportunity to gamble a bit. They have the assets to make that big splash. Instead of playing the conservative route and ignoring prospects that have those “character” red flags, they can go for the raw talent and try to develop their character.

Guys like Ben McLemore or Shabazz Muhammad are perfect examples. Some in the media (yours truly included) have bashed McLemore for declining to work out for the Suns. Whether it was his agent’s idea or his own, that’s a character trait that I’d never want on my team. I want my guys to embrace challenges and meet them head on.

Muhammad has gotten some negative press on a couple of different issues. First, he was deemed ineligible because he allegedly took improper benefits. That’s NCAA crap as far as I’m concerned, but trouble is trouble. Secondly, Muhammad was found to be flubbing his actual age for years. He was claiming to be a year younger than he really was, which would make him look much better.

The Suns need to take those stories and throw them out the window. The fact of the matter is those two guys can ball. The Suns aren’t in a position where they can cherry pick players and leave the questionable ones on the side.

Remember the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL throwing caution to the wind when they selected Randy Moss? It doesn’t always work out, but with a litany of picks, why not gamble?

The worst case scenario is they pick a player that doesn’t turn out. Maybe he gets in trouble with the team or the league (see: Cousins, DeMarcus). Maybe he doesn’t show the same kind of fire and desire he once did in college (see: Beasley, Michael). If anything, Beasley is a great example that teams will continue to give players with tremendous upside another chance.

Cap room isn’t endless, but the Suns could absolutely try to bring back a guy like Jermaine O’Neal to mentor the young guys. Somebody like O’Neal, who got into trouble early in his career and turned it around, would be perfect to lead these young guys down the straight and narrow path.

Take a chance Phoenix, ignore the red flags.