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

5. Robert Williams, C — Texas A&M

This selection obviously doesn’t happen if the Suns take Ayton No. 1, but if they opt for Wonder Boy instead, finding a big makes sense here. Alex Len is an unrestricted free agent, Tyson Chandler is about to turn 36 with one year left on his contract, and for all the wishful thinking over Clint Capela, the Houston Rockets can match any offer for their restricted free agent this summer.

Ayton feels like the more likely pick at No. 1, but if the Suns shock the world and take Doncic, using No. 16 on an explosive big like Robert Williams would be a terrific avenue. The Texas A&M big might not make it past the lottery, but if he does, this potential rim-runner could fill the Capela void without the Suns ever having to sign Capela.

Though he’s only 6’9″, Williams has a massive 7’5″ wingspan and a 9’4″ standing reach. Couple that with more hops than your favorite IPA and you’ve got a consistent alley-oop threat — exactly what a modern NBA offense needs to make its 3-point shooters even more potent.

Just imagine an offense with Doncic and Devin Booker manipulating pick-and-roll sets, surrounded by shooters, with Robert Williams diving to the rim. It’d be a nightmare to guard, and even if the Suns got Capela this summer, Williams would then have the perfect mentor to learn from coming off the bench.

Oh, and he throws down windmill dunks with more regularity than you ever did on NBA Street as a kid:

It’s not just his rim-diving that makes him an attractive target, however, as Williams is an equally staggering shot-blocker. In addition to his 10.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game for the Aggies last year, the big man posted 2.5 blocks per game (3.9 per 40 minutes) — and that was while playing out of position in a two-big system.

Put him at his true position of center and the Suns could have someone with the rim protection to help make up for defensive mistakes on the perimeter. He still needs work staying disciplined on that end, and no one should be expecting a stretch-5, but a poor man’s DeAndre Jordan/Clint Capela would be pretty great value at No. 16 if the Suns take Doncic first.