Phoenix Suns: 5 options for pick No. 31 in 2018 NBA Draft
1. Jalen Brunson, PG — Villanova
The Suns love their Wildcat guards, but this year they should be looking at Villanova rather than Kentucky. While No. 16 feels high for a three-year player with limited upside, if Jalen Brunson is still available at No. 31 and the Suns still need help at the 1, this might wind up being a no-brainer.
Much like Jevon Carter, a fellow burly point guard with at least three years of college play under his belt, Brunson has been climbing draft boards ever since the pre-draft process started.
He’s got a good head on his shoulders, has plenty of experience, won two national championships and is simply used to winning — both as a team and as an individual. Remember, this guy was the consensus National College Player of the Year, a first-team All-American, won the Bob Cousy Award and earned Big East Player of the Year honors in 2018.
Crazy Jalen Brunson/Suns workout stat: Between high school and Villanova, Brunson has lost 18 total games in the past five years. The Suns lost 61 games this season.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) June 7, 2018
Though he’s nearly 22 years old and is only 6’2″, Brunson is a smart, unselfish player who can sink jumpers, create for others and finish in the lane, particularly when it comes to a surprisingly adept post game. He’s strong, crafty and smart when it comes to getting his own shot off or creating separation despite not being a world-class athlete.
He may struggle in the NBA to be a high-level contributor like he was in college, but Brunson has been compared to guys like Derek Fisher and Mark Jackson for a reason: While seemingly unspectacular, he’s too skilled and intelligent to not carve out a career for himself.
After averaging 18.9 points, 4.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game on .521/.408/.802 shooting splits in his final year at Villanova and being a part of two NCAA championship teams, Brunson is a winner, through and through. The Suns could use some of that, even from a rookie who may top out as a reliable backup in this league.
Next: Ranking the 5 favorites to win the 2019 NBA Finals
Jalen Brunson looks like a pretty great value pick at No. 31, projected to go 31st by ESPN and 32nd by The Ringer. He’s also worked out for the team twice already. Even if he veers more toward being the next Tyler Ulis than the next Derek Fisher, he’d still serve a useful role for the Phoenix Suns.