Phoenix Suns Draft Review

14. T.J. Warren, SF North Carolina State So. (6-8, 220)

One of the best scorers in the draft, many didn't know what to make of Warren because he isn't a very good shooter yet was so successful putting the ball in the basket. His style may be unorthodox, but when Warren is on the court he plays his tail off trying to score, attacking in transition, working off the ball, and hunting for offensive rebound putbacks. Warren is exactly what you want from a bench scorer and that is exactly the role he should play for Phoenix, who can anchor their second unit around Warren and Markieff Morris. This is a great pick for the Suns who have significantly improved with this draft.

18. Tyler Ennis, PG Syracuse Fr. (6-3, 182)

Another excellent pick for Phoenix, Tyler Ennis is a great fit in Phoenix's system and fills the need of a third guard who can play alongside with Eric Bledsoe or Goran Dragic and compliment them nicely. Ennis is a steady and smart as they come, and excellent ball handler and passer who should excel in the Suns free flowing offense because he reads the game so well and seemingly always makes the right decision. He is a good shooter who should improve quickly in that area. The only real question for Ennis is his defense, but with a 6-7+ wingspan he should be able to guard on the perimeter at at least and average level. There is also a chance restricted free agent Bledsoe gets signed away from Phoenix, in which case Ennis would be able to step in as the starting point guard alongside Dragic.

27. Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG Serbia (6-6, 205)

The Suns used their last first rounder on an international player because it is difficult for a 48 win team to bring in 3 first round rookies. Bogdanovic was no reach however, he was a legitimate first rounder and I am surprised he didn't go higher because he is an NBA ready wing player with a lot of offensive skills. That is the irony of Bogdanovic, he is ready to come over but was drafted by a team that likely won't bring him, though if Bledsoe walks they might consider it. Offensively, Bogdanovic is an above-average shooter who can also attack close outs and find teammates off the dribble. His lack of top athleticism might lead to some issues defensively but not so much it overshadows his offensive value.

50. Alec Brown, C Wisconsin-Green Bay Sr. (7-1, 220)

In the second round, Phoenix took a chance on a very tall, talented big man who probably will never have an impact, but you never know. Brown has long arms, moves pretty well, and has a lot of skill, especially shooting where he hit on 42% of his 3 point attempts last season. The issue with Brown is strength, his lean frame needs a lot more strength and bulk, but at 22 years old he isn't likely to get strong enough to handle the rigors of being an NBA big man. Add to that a very poor rebound rate and you have to wonder if he will ever be an interior player.

Projected Lineup

PG: Goran Dragic/Tyler Ennis

SG: Eric Bledsoe (RFA)/Gerald Green/Archie Goodwin

SF: Marcus Morris/T.J. Warren

PF: Channing Frye/Markieff Morris

C: Miles Plumlee/Alex Len

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NBA Draft: 5 Perfect Fits in the First Round

A big part of the success factor in the NBA draft is find the correct fit for both team and player, whether it be filling a need, utilizing a skillset, or putting the player in a position to maximize strengths and limit weaknesses. While there may be no "perfect" fits, there are several throughout the first round that would really benefit both player and team.

1. Aaron Gordon and the Sacramento Kings

Since drafting DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings have tried Jason Thompson, Thomas Robinson, and Patrick Patterson at the power forward position and never really found the right fit. While his offense still has a ways to go, Aaron Gordon of Arizona has a knack for doing everything else on the court. He is an excellent defender who can guard both forward positions, blocks shots, and create turnovers. While playing next to Cousins doesn't require a top rebounder, Gordon is also very good on the glass. Offensively, Gordon needs to develop his jumper to space the floor, but his ability to handle the ball, pass, and play unselfishly well help to mitigate that. And Cousins can handle more of the inside scoring load anyway, taking pressure off Gordon early in his career. Also, he is very good running the floor which fits nicely alongside Isaiah Thomas, Derrick Williams, and Ben McLemore. Gordon plays very hard on both ends and is willing to do the dirty work to help his team win. I honestly think he would help any team that drafts him, but the Kings are an especially nice fit.

2. Elfrid Payton and the Chicago Bulls

While most point to the Bulls lack of shooting as their biggest issue (it definitely is one), their main issue on offense is the lack of a shot-creator when Derrick Rose is unavailable. They simply lack players who can take the ball and create a shot for themselves or teammates. Louisiana-Lafayette's Elfrid Payton probably won't help the Bulls lack of shooting much, but his ability to penetrate, score, and pass are exactly what Chicago needs behind Rose, and even alongside him. Payton is also excellent at drawing fouls, (another area the Bulls are lacking in) he shot 293 free throws last season, 8.6 per game. Added to all that, Payton is one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft and averaged 2.3 steals a game. Whether Rose is healthy or not, the Bulls need playmakers and Payton is one of the best in the draft.

3. T.J. Warren and the Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks offense is built around bigs Al Horford and Paul Millsap and small guards Jeff Teague or Lou Williams, and shooters. However, they don't have any big wings who are really a threat to score on their own. North Carolina State's T.J. Warren is an unusual player, but an effective scorer. He doesn't shoot from deep very well instead he scores in transition, with floaters and flips around the basket, and by getting to the free throw line. This scoring ability at 6-8, 220 would give the Hawks a different diamension off the bench and provide a scoring punch when the 3s aren't falling, Warren may struggle defensively, which would limit him to a bench role, where he wouldn't have to guard the top opposing forwards.

4. Cleanthony Early and the Utah Jazz
With the number 5 overall pick, the Jazz will have a terrific opportunity to add to their already considerable young talent base. With that pick, they should take the best player available and not worry about needs. However, they also pick at again at 23, and depending on what they do at 5, they should target a wing player who can shoot for a couple of reasons: first of all, they were not good shooting from 3 last season, hitting on only .344% of their three pointers, good for 25th in the league. Secondly, the status of Gordon Heyward is up in the air and they don't have anyone to replace him or back him up. Also with a big man heavy offense (Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Julius Randle? Noah Vonleh?), and the more shooting they have to space the floor, the better. Wichita State's Cleanthony Early not only fits that need (.375% from 3 last season, great looking stroke) but he is very athletic (40' vertical) and at 6-8, has great size for a wing. As a 23 year-old college Senior, he should be able to contribute right away, albeit with limited upside. He also fits the Jazz' MO of taking proven college performers. 

5. Shabazz Napier and the Los Angeles Clippers

Darren Collison bounced back after some poor seasons and was great as a backup point guard for the Clippers, posting a 16.21 PER. However, he opted out of the last year of his deal and will almost certainly be signed out of the Clippers price range as a starter. If that is the case, the Clippers will be left with no other points on the roster next season. While they may look for a veteran backup, the cheaper option would be to draft one with their late first round pick and use that money to add quality depth to the font court. One of the reasons Collison was so effective is his uptempo style contrasted with Chris Paul's more deliberate pace and Collison could help carry the Clippers bench offense with his scoring and playmaking ability. Of the options available with the 28th pick, Shabazz Napier of Connecticut best fits the Collison role because he can push the tempo, and score in the halfcourt. With a ton of experience playing in at a high level in college, Napier should be more ready to contribute than the average late-first round point guard.

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