Phoenix Suns: 5 options for pick No. 16 in 2018 NBA Draft

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If the Phoenix Suns keep the 16th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, here’s a look at five prospects that would make the most sense.

With all the excitement over the Phoenix Suns‘ first No. 1 draft pick in franchise history, not to mention the civil war that’s broken out online over whether they should take Luka Doncic or Deandre Ayton, it’d be easy to forget the team has another first-rounder to worry about at No. 16.

With general manager Ryan McDonough planning to be aggressive this summer in pursuing trades and free agents, that 16th overall pick could very easily be on the move on draft night.

The Suns could deal it to a team for a serviceable veteran who will help them win games in 2018-19; they could package it with one of their future picks to move up a few spots and snag someone like Trae Young, Mikal Bridges or someone else who slips into that 7-11 range, as Arizona Sports‘ Kellan Olson detailed; or, in the unlikeliest of scenarios, they could package it as part of a blockbuster deal for a star.

McDonough called the possibility of trading the No. 1 pick “unlikely,” but the Suns could easily move up or down in the draft depending on their opinion of the mid-to-late lottery prospects still available. Either way, that No. 16 pick is one of the team’s foremost trade chips approaching draft night.

However, there’s always the less sexy alternative, where the Suns actually keep the pick and use it on a player they like.

If they take Ayton No. 1, their next pick could be used to find a young point guard of the future or a wing who can shoot, defend and play multiple positions. If they take Doncic first, this draft is deep in talented big men, or they could stick with hunting for a wing to help make T.J. Warren even more expendable.

The 16th overall pick should be monitored approaching the draft, but assuming Phoenix keeps it, here’s a look at its five best options, starting with a few quick honorable mentions:

Collin Sexton — Sexton is an ideal pick at No. 16, especially if the Suns take Ayton at No. 1, but it’s unlikely he falls this far.
Dzanan Musa — Phoenix doesn’t really need another rookie joining an ultra-young roster (as currently constructed), so this draft-and-stash option could make sense.
Keita Bates-Diop — A versatile forward who can defend multiple positions sounds great, especially since he can shoot, but KBP may not be quick enough to guard 2s and 3s.
Troy Brown Jr. — His defensive and playmaking abilities are exactly what Phoenix needs on the wing behind Josh Jackson/T.J. Warren, but this Oregon product can’t really shoot.
Shake Milton — Aside from having the best name in the draft, Milton is defensively versatile, can spread the floor and works well on or off the ball. Taking him this early might be a slight reach though, even if Phoenix takes Ayton first overall.
Mitchell Robinson — There are too many question marks here, though the raw measurables indicate a formidable, athletic option at center should the Suns take Doncic with their first pick.

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