Phoenix Suns: 5 takeaways from the 2018-19 NBA season
3. Drafting Zion Williamson would make this summer a lot easier
Devin Booker should be a superstar in this league. Deandre Ayton could get there. Adding another player to the mix who’s projected as more likely to get there than either Booker or Ayton when they entered the draft would go a long way in putting this franchise on a winning path again.
In the 2019 NBA Draft class devoid of franchise-altering talent outside the top 1-2 picks, the Phoenix Suns really need the No. 1 pick — not just because Zion Williamson is a franchise-altering talent with a superstar ceiling, but also because missing out on him opens up a myriad of questions, with few certain answers.
People actually hold the following belief:
— Max (@maxmcc11) April 20, 2019
“The Suns shouldn’t draft Zion because they already have too many wings.”
In other words, these people think the Suns shouldn’t draft Zion Williamson because they already have TJ Warren and Josh Jackson. Imagine thinking that.
If the Suns get the No. 1 pick, the pick is Zion. Absolutely, undeniably, 1,000 percent Zion. It shouldn’t just be Ja Morant because he’s a point guard, and it’d be shocking if they passed up on Williamson’s elite skill-set, athleticism and marketing appeal.
If Phoenix falls to No. 2, it’ll most likely be Morant. He addresses a positional need and has a ceiling as high as anyone in the draft other than Zion, particularly because of the passing and ball-handling abilities he possesses that the Suns just so happen to desperately need. He wouldn’t be ready to lead an NBA team in year one, but he could be the long-term solution with the right development.
Some reports yesterday that the Suns would prefer Ja Morant over Zion Williamson are totally off base. If the Suns did get the #1 pick it would be Zion. If they get #2 it's Ja and if a team like Atlanta gets #2 they may try and trade with them to get Ja because that team has a PG
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) April 23, 2019
If the Suns fall further than that, however, the number of options continues to grow. The smartest choice if they get the No. 3 pick (or even the No. 2 pick) might be trying to package that selection with T.J. Warren, Josh Jackson and/or a future protected pick for an established point guard like Mike Conley or Jrue Holiday, who would immediately raise Phoenix’s ceiling for 2018-19.
In that 3-7 range, other prospects would have to be considered if a trade doesn’t materialize. Jarrett Culver would only add to the wing logjam, but you can never have too many versatile wings with that size and playmaking ability in this league.
R.J. Barrett might seem like a hard pass, but people are lower on his scoring potential and passing than they should be. Brandon Clarke could be a good option as a 4 alongside Ayton (if his shooting develops) or a backup 5. De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish are flawed, but potentially useful wings.
For the sake of the Suns (and their reportedly scant scouting department), here’s hoping the “Zion or bust” theme of this draft plays out with the No. 1 overall pick. If it doesn’t, their next course of action will be more riddled with divergent timelines than the latest Avengers movie.