2016 NBA Mock Draft: Drafting For Need

Dragan Bender, a professional Croatian basketball player currently playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Super League attends a training session at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2016.Bender's name is not yet well known beyond hardcore basketball fans, but that may soon change. Bender is expected to be highly sought after by US professional basketball teams in the coming months. / AFP / JACK GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images) /

14 of 31

PISCATAWAY, NJ – MARCH 2: Deyonta Davis #23 of the Michigan State Spartans in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half of a college basketball game at the Rutgers Athletic Center on March 2, 2016 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 97-66. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) /

13. Phoenix Suns: Deyonta Davis, Michigan State Spartans

Position: Power Forward
Age: 19 (12/2/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9.5″, 230 pounds, 7’1.5″
Slash Line: .598/.000/.605
Season Averages: 18.6 MPG, 7.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.1 ORPG, 0.7 APG, 1.8 BPG

The Phoenix Suns have a surplus of guards, a skilled scorer at small forward, and a promising center. Neither Eric Bledsoe nor Devin Booker, Brandon Knight, T.J. Warren, Alex Len, or even Markieff Morris fill this pressing need.

Phoenix needs to dramatically improve its defense, and adding a rim rim protector with immense potential is the route to follow.

Deyonta Davis has the upside to be a dominant defensive player with significant offensive value at the next level. He averaged 3.9 blocks per 40 minutes as a freshman, ranked in the Top 25 in the country in block percentage, and made a living on the offensive glass with an average of 4.4 per 40.

Davis’ ability to protect the rim, switch off of screens, and keep perimeter players in front of him make him an exquisite prospect for the Suns.

Davis will need to measure well at the NBA Draft Combine, and he must improve his consistency on the defensive glass. He’s an instinctive player with a commitment to playing team defense, however, and that’s something you can’t teach—rational as it would seem that it could be taught.

Davis is also a very good passer with the potential to be an asset from the pinch post, thus rounding out his lottery status.

Next: Chicago Bulls

Home/NBA Draft