The 2017 NBA Draft Lottery has come and gone, and it is safe to say the Phoenix Suns had a night to forget after slipping to number four on the draft board.
Going into the evening, the Suns had a 19.9 per cent chance of grabbing the first overall pick, and 55.8 per cent of staying within the top three.
With recent speculation suggesting the lottery is fixed, the Suns dropping out of the top three will do nothing to quash those claims.
Many believe the lottery aims to benefit the teams the NBA want to succeed, namely the Los Angeles Lakers.
It comes as no surprise then to see the Lakers selecting with the second overall pick for the third time in as many years.
Having finished the season with the NBA’s second worst record, the Suns will be disappointed to have dropped out of the top three to the benefit of the Philadelphia 76ers, who join the Lakers and Boston Celtics as the first teams to select on June 22.
With guards Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball and wing Josh Jackson expected to be the first three players selected, it leaves the question as to what the Suns will do with their pick.
Before the lottery, I had the Suns picking Jackson with the second overall pick as he would have provided an athletic body to act as a support scorer alongside Devin Booker and Eric Bledsoe.
Those plans might have to be adjusted.
Realistically. Jackson will be off the board by the time the Suns pick at number four, so should they trade away their pick?
I think they should at least consider it.
One possibility which has been discussed is to package the pick along with Eric Bledsoe or TJ Warren and attempt to go after a superstar.
I for one am a big Eric Bledsoe fan, and would like to see him stay in Phoenix.
Bledsoe is coming off his best season as a pro where he posted career highs in points (21.1) and assists (6.3) per game in 66 games before being shut down in March as the Suns tanked for a higher draft pick.
Look how that turned out…
Trading away TJ Warren as a sweetener alongside the number four pick could tempt some teams to part with a big-time player, possibly a Jimmy Butler or Jahlil Okafor.
If the Suns are to keep the pick however, they could look at drafting De’Angelo Fox or Jayson Tatum as they look to rebuild a young side to compete long into the future.
Come June 22 our questions will be answered, but as for now Phoenix Suns fans can only sit and wonder what could have been.
Swampy
Guest
The Suns shouldn't be too concerned about dropping to 4. At pick 2 who would the Suns have taken? Ball? Really? I don't think he fits. At 3 the Sixers would be mad to take Josh Jackson unless they were planning a big trade (a nice trade might be the 3 pick plus Ben Simmons to Boston for the 1 pick and Jay Crowder). Jackson can't shoot. Sixers need a shooter who doesn't need the ball to operate. To me Malik Monk is their best option. You could get him at 5 or 6. So in the end Josh Jackson may well be available at 4 and that's who I'd imagine the Suns would want anyway. I'm not sure who said the talent drops off after the top 3 but that is bs. This draft is loaded. Tatum is good. Fox is my pick to be the second best player from this draft. And remember, Isaiah Thomas was pick 60 (the very last pick) and he ain't shabby.
joe
Guest
I've always thought the NBA fixed the draft this is another example of it. But that said,Phoenix at #4 overall is still ok.I really like Tatum out of Duke.That kid is super athletic & can up & down in transition as well as anyone .Injuries have been his problem.But he will probably be there at #4. I wouldn't want Ball & the headaches that will accompany him to whereever he lands. Suns aren't in a bad position though.Whether you got the #2 or #4 pick you still need to make the correct selection.If getting high draft picks every year where a barometer of success then the Cleveland Browns would be a juggernaut.They get high selections year after year but fail to take advantage.
Mushi
Guest
Why not televise it? Um because the actual drawing goes the opposite anti climatic way and you'd be televising a bunch of accountants running through a mundane process.
Mushi
Guest
Okay but you the said it would get Butler (can't see it personally) and defined Okafor as a superstar. His reasons for not "fitting" in philly is they tried to force him into the role of NBA starter. Which he isn't. He's a big man who right now can't shoot, rebound or really defend. His only plus skill is post offence... but his TS% doesn't suggest that can be built UPON except off the bench. He is currently a facsimile of Marresse Speights.
ojp
Guest
'I just think that Magic Johnson and the Lakers have some weight in the league, and everyone wants them to succeed.' Hi Ed, I'm happy to concede that Magic does have some standing in the league, but I cant agree that the Lakers have more sway than anyone else.... esp now that Dr Buss has passed and DJ Stern has moved on ... nor does everyone want them (ie the Lakers) to succeed. Certainly I cant see the other owners wanting to give them a leg up (or more than they already have ) and as for the fans, I reckon the Lakers, like the Celts and possibly no one else barr the Heatles and most recent GSW team tend to elicit strong emotions (possibly because of historical success for Lakers / Celts) of either really liking, or really not liking. Personally I've been highly entertained and amused by the ineptitude of the Lakers these last few years and hope this continues well into the Lonzo Ball era. Wandering a bit here, but isnt the big issue with Okafor to do with his 'effort?'. Clearly a skilled offensive player, who appears to coast through games which isnt going to cut it when the skill / size differential closes. Anyway, best of luck to you !
Ed Nixon
Roar Pro
Chicago would want us to package either Bender or Chriss as well, but I don't think we'd be prepared to do that for Butler. As for Okafor, I think a lot of his criticism is unwarranted. He's a good young player who just doesn't fit with Philly. The kid has talent and I'm sure will go on to be a good player for another team who need a big man.
Ed Nixon
Roar Pro
I'd like to think it's not, but I'm not sure why they don't televise it then. What's to hide? I just think that Magic Johnson and the Lakers have some weight in the league, and everyone wants them to succeed. I do like the look of Fox, but he needs to develop a jump shot. We have a crowded backcourt anyway, with Booker, Bledsoe and Elis (not to mention Knight and Price). Plus we have athleticism with Jones Jr and Chriss, so I'm not sure what he would add.
Ed Nixon
Roar Pro
I agree, but I'm not sure what other trade assets we have that Ryan McDonough would be willing to get rid of. I'd say Bender and Chriss are off limits (of so they should be), no one will want to take on Brandon Knight's contract, and Dudley/Barbosa are too old. Okafor is a good talent in my eyes. He has a great offensive game, but hasn't been utilised well in Philly. If given a fresh start in Phoenix, he could be a far greater alternative than Len.
Ed Nixon
Roar Pro
I am disappointed Len hasn't developed into the player we all hoped. I do like Alan Williams off the bench, but we are in desperate need of a long-term center. Chandler is a great leadership presence in the locker room, but is not the long term option. As for the pick, I would keep it but am concerned at the drop off in talent after the top 3.
OJP
Guest
agree with both points astro; particularly the rigged lottery; failing to convert a 55% chance is hardly evidence of shady dealings...
astro
Guest
Two things... 1. This concept of the lottery being rigged is just annoying...If it were rigged, the Knicks would have won. Instead, we're supposed to be suspicious of the lottery because a team with a 50% chance of not getting into the top 3, came in at 4th??? 2. The Suns would be insane to trade that pick. Where are the Suns going in the next few years? Their best player is 20yrs old. They have two big men who are developing and at a similar age. And at 4, they can draft Fox, or Tatum, or a number of other guys who probably would have gone 1, 2 or 3 in any other year. The Suns are fine...they just need time.
Mushi
Guest
Is there another Jahlil Okafor? For Jimmy Butler, sure (though I'd want something more if I'm Chicago) but the Sixers would run naked in the streets if they got that offer.
Kris Chapman
Roar Rookie
I'm sorry, but if you trade pick 4 and TJ for Okafor you deserve to remain in mediocrity. I would say you could get him for far less.
Rossy
Guest
The Philly pick was via the Kings (pick swap) so technically the Kings and Lakers jumped them in the lottery into the top 3. Maybe you could get something for Pick 4 + Warren and one of Bender/Chriss but I'm not so sure it would be a top level player. Best off just drafting another solid wing player to put in the rotation and build some depth. They also need to address centre as Alex Len is not the answer, unless Bender ends up spending time there in the future.