Phoenix Suns: 5 options for pick No. 16 in 2018 NBA Draft
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG – Kentucky
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: What the Phoenix Suns should do later in the draft is take a point guard from Kentucky.
Even more so than Robert Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander feels like a long shot to fall all the way to No. 16. His impressive run with the Wildcats in the SEC/NCAA Tournament boosted his draft stock considerably, and thanks to guys like Ben Simmons, tall point guards are in.
At 6’6″, with a 7’0″ wingspan, Gilgeous-Alexander could play either guard position, especially if his 40.4 percent shooting from 3-point range holds up in the pros. He only took 57 3-pointers last year, but this 19-year-old shot an encouraging 82.2 percent from the line, which is usually a good sign for shooting efficiency translating to the NBA.
SGA brings a little bit of everything to the table. In addition to that accurate perimeter shot, he’s a tenacious defender, versatile and flashed plenty of playmaking ability down the stretch of Kentucky’s season. He’s good in the pick-and-roll thanks to his ball-handling skills, and he’s an active defender with a knack for deflections (1.6 steals per game).
I knew Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was lean but 3% body fat is ridiculous. Lowest of all the guys at the combine.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) May 17, 2018
His shooting technique needs some tweaking, but the bigger concern here (aside from whether he’ll actually be available at No. 16) is his lack of athleticism and strength. He’s rail thin, which is often a concern with NBA rookies, but for all his lateral quickness on the defensive end, he could have issues attacking the basket on offense.
More than likely, targeting Gilgeous-Alexander would require the Suns to trade this pick and move up in the draft, but stranger things have happened on draft night. Given the magnetic pull McDonough has on Kentucky guards, we can’t rule anything out if they take Ayton No. 1.