PHOENIX SUNS

ESPN Insider on good draft fits for Phoenix Suns

Jan 25, 2013, 6:06 PM | Updated: 6:27 pm

The Phoenix Suns may be riding a two-game win streak at the moment, but chances are good they’re still heading for the NBA’s draft lottery for the third consecutive year.

And at 15-28, it appears they may be one of the first teams on the clock, meaning they’ll have a good selection of players to choose from.

In an ESPN Insider piece, Chad Ford broke down who he thinks are the “2013 draft fits for Phoenix Suns”, and the list includes some pretty solid names.

Noting the team could use a scorer to build around — as well as the fact that the Suns could have three picks in this year’s draft — Ford says Kansas’ Ben McLemore, UCLA’s Shabazz Muhammad, Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel and UNLV’s Anthony Bennett would be great fits.

Dragic can be a solid facilitator when he has some to facilitate with. This season, the Suns have really lacked offensive options. That should give McLemore and Muhammad the leg up in Phoenix. Both players are potential 20-points-a-night scorers, both have good jump shots and both players have the ability to take over a game.

Bennett is intriguing because of his versatility. He could end up being a Marion-like hybrid forward who could play both the three and the four at the next level. He can rebound, post up or step out and hit the 3. His ability to step in and play right away should be an intriguing choice for the Suns.

Noel is the dark horse here, but he might be a good choice. While the Suns have Gortat, Morris and Scola, it’s clear that none of them are franchise players. Furthermore, none of them do what Noel does well — block shots and grab ridiculous amounts of steals for a big man.

Other top prospects include Maryland’s Alex Len, Indiana’s Cody Zeller, Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart and Syracuse’s Michael Carter-Williams, but Ford believes that group of players either has weaknesses or styles that won’t mesh with what Phoenix is trying to do.

And through it all, Ford believes the 6-foot-5 McLemore, who is averaging 16.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a freshman, would be the ideal choice for a rebuilding Suns team.

No one is rising faster or higher than McLemore right now, and he looks like a perfect fit for the Suns team. His elite athletic ability, shooting prowess and ability to get to the basket off the bounce, as well as his ability to cause problems for players with his defensive abilities really gives them a player they desperately need who doesn’t really duplicate anyone they have on their roster.

As of now, the Suns have the sixth-worst record in the NBA, but could land in the top three with a few more losses or if the ping pong balls bounce their way.

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

4 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

8 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

11 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

1 day ago

ESPN Insider on good draft fits for Phoenix Suns