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2016 NBA Mock Draft: Drafting For Need

By Maxwell Ogden

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)
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) /
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Feb 28, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Jaylen Brown (0) dribbles the basketball against USC Trojans guard Elijah Stewart (30) in the first half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Jaylen Brown (0) dribbles the basketball against USC Trojans guard Elijah Stewart (30) in the first half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Phoenix Suns: Jaylen Brown, California Golden Bears

Position: Small Forward
Age: 18 (10/24/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6.5″, 222 pounds, 7’0.5″
Slash Line: .431/.294/.654
Season Averages: 27.6 MPG, 14.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.9 3PM

The Phoenix Suns have a lot going for them already. Devin Booker has elite potential at shooting guard, Alex Len still has upside at center, and the trio of Eric Bledsoe, Archie Goodwin, and Brandon Knight have impressed at point guard.

Drafting Jaylen Brown would grant Phoenix the opportunity to round out its young core with a rising star at small forward.

Phoenix is properly equipped to take on a long-term project, which makes drafting Brown an easier pill to stomach than it might be for other teams. He’s incredibly raw in the present day, but Brown comes with genuine star potential offensively, and the physical build to be a defensive weapon

He’s drawn comparisons to Stanley Johnson, who is of a similar physical stature and had a very strong rookie season with the Detroit Pistons.

T.J. Warren’s presence may call this into question, but he’s a scorer with limited contributions in other areas and average athleticism. Brown’s physical profile is tantalizing the masses, and that’s something Phoenix can’t afford to pass over.

Brown’s jump shot is faulty, but he has the elite athleticism and powerful physical build to be a genuine asset in Phoenix.

Next: Minnesota Timberwolves

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