With the 32nd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns will have plenty of options in the second round. Here are their five best options.
Most of the Phoenix Suns‘ focus on June 22 will revolve around the fourth overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. Will Josh Jackson or Lonzo Ball slide to No. 4? Will the Suns be able to trade up with the No. 1 pick suddenly available? Could they trade down in a deep lottery?
No matter what, the Suns stand to emerge from this year’s draft with another franchise pillar thanks to their first round selection. The question is, what will general manager Ryan McDonough do when the Suns are back on the clock with the 32nd pick of the draft?
The Suns have picked at No. 32 just twice before, selecting Nick Vanos in 1985 and Chad Gallagher in 1991. Vanos averaged 3.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in two seasons for the team before his tragic death in a plane crash. Gallagher never played a game for the Suns and his NBA career lasted a grand total of three minutes over two games for the Utah Jazz.
Looking back on draft history, the 32nd pick doesn’t often lead to rotation players, but success stories such as Bill Bridges (1961), Caldwell Jones (1973), Rashard Lewis (1998) and even Montrezl Harrell (2015) and Ivica Zubac (2016) give hope for Phoenix to find a decent piece in a talented draft class.
There are a number of directions McDonough could go with this spot. The Suns have quite a collection of youth talent, so a draft-and-stash prospect isn’t out of the question. If Phoenix finds a franchise point guard at No. 4, wing depth behind T.J. Warren is another option. If the Suns land Jackson, Jonathan Isaac or Jayson Tatum, some insurance at center could be yet another avenue.
Bearing all this in mind, here are five potential draft options for the Phoenix Suns with the 32nd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Honorable Mentions:
- Harry Giles: A high upside prospect with injury concerns. Unlikely to be available at No. 32.
- Bam Adebayo: A raw center unlikely to be available at No. 32.
- Isaiah Hartenstein: A tantalizing draft-and-stash center unlikely to be available at No. 32.
- Mathias Lessort: An undersized French big who worked out for the Suns but can’t shoot.
- Kyle Kuzma: A good rebounding and passing 4 with an inconsistent shot.
- Wesley Iwundu: A solid wing prospect who may be a reach at No. 32.