Report: De’Aaron Fox to work out for Suns later this week, Malik Monk in Phoenix
Jun 5, 2017, 4:09 PM
The Phoenix Suns love them some guards out of the University of Kentucky and by the looks of it, the two highest-rated prospects in the 2017 NBA Draft that meet those requirements will be working out for the Suns this week.
De’Aaron Fox getting into his visits. Sacramento (5) today, scheduled for Phoenix (4) later in week, Lakers (2) and Philly (3) next week.
— Scott Howard-Cooper (@SHowardCooper) June 5, 2017
Malik Monk's latest instagram story pic.twitter.com/ii8liYiKGc
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) June 5, 2017
Both players could be available when the Suns pick fourth overall.
Fox averaged 16.7 points, four rebounds and 4.6 assists per game for the Wildcats last season, leading them to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to North Carolina.
His claim to fame is getting the better of likely top-3 pick Lonzo Ball out of UCLA in their two showdowns, most notably scoring 39 points against the Bruins in the Sweet 16.
The 19-year-old Fox has been mocked anywhere from No. 2 overall to the second-half of the top-10. As Howard-Cooper notes, there is still skepticism as to whether or not Ball is a lock for the No. 2 Los Angeles Lakers selection despite the links to the prospect and team for months. That makes Fox a name to watch, as his on-the-court play as well as his personality shine brightly.
If Fox were to be drafted by the Suns, he would likely be seen as the successor to Eric Bledsoe and a defense-first option alongside Devin Booker.
For more on Fox, read Kevin Zimmerman’s profile on the speedy floor general
The sharpshooter Monk posted 19.8 points per game at Kentucky while shooting 39.7 from three-point range on 6.9 attempts per game.
Monk has been mocked anywhere from No. 3 to the end of the top-10. The Suns finished 27th in three-point shooting at 33.2 percent and could certainly use Monk’s ability from deep.
For more on Monk, read Kevin Zimmerman’s look at offensive sleepers
Nearly the entire Suns backcourt played at Kentucky. Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, Devin Booker and Tyler Ulis all played for John Calipari and the team also drafted Archie Goodwin in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft.
