Phoenix Suns: 5 options for pick No. 4 in 2017 NBA Draft
2. Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF, Florida State
Jonathan Isaac is one of the riskiest prospects in this draft, but the upside is immense. That means he may not be the most advisable pick for a team like the Suns, who just made two such picks last year in Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss.
The jury’s still out on both players after only finishing their rookie seasons, but Isaac should definitely be on Phoenix’s radar, as Arizona Sports’ Kellan Olson fully details.
A 6’11” wing who can play the 3 or the 4 so fluidly is rare even in the NBA, and if Isaac can live up to his elite two-way potential, he’ll make quite a few teams regret passing on him early in the draft. Maybe he’ll never reach the ceiling of a Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he basically feels like the skinny, raw draft prospect that gets overlooked much like Giannis Antetokounmpo was.
I like Josh Jackson. But the guy I'm most going to struggle to pass on is Jonathan Isaac.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) May 18, 2017
Isaac doesn’t turn 20 until October, and though he only averaged 12.0 points per game this past season at Florida State, he also put up 7.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game on 50.8 percent shooting from the field.
With a 7’1″ wingspan and a 9’1″ standing reach, Isaac already has the physical tools to be an elite defender at the next level. His burgeoning three-point shot still needs work, but for a player his size to be shooting 34.8 percent from deep on 2.8 attempts per game in his lone collegiate season inspires hope for the future.
Not many people are talking about Jonathan Isaac as an option for the Suns ... https://t.co/OYqyhDc0jK
— EmpireOfTheSuns (@EmpireOfTheSuns) May 18, 2017
According to ESPN’s NBA Draft projection model, Isaac actually ranks as the best prospect in this year’s class. Though taking him at No. 4 might feel like a stretch compared to where he lands on most draft boards, the Suns shouldn’t rule anything out heading into individual workouts.
He’s the No. 6 prospect on ESPN Chad Ford’s Big Board, and though he’s a boom-or-bust candidate, the Suns are the type of team that can afford to be patient with his development as he refines his scoring mentality, overall strength and three-point stroke.
He’s already got the body for the NBA, but if he could reach his ceiling as an aggressive scorer and stifling defender on the other end, Phoenix could very well have three incredibly versatile frontcourt players manning the 3, 4 and 5 in Isaac, Chriss and Bender.