ESPN’s Ford: Suns are torn between Fox, Isaac and Jackson at No. 4
Jun 22, 2017, 9:19 AM | Updated: 1:34 pm
As of now the Phoenix Suns still have the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, and while they will have their choice of plenty of talented players, no one really knows what direction they will go.
Part of that is, of course, due to them needing to see what the teams ahead of them do.
There is also, however, the possibility that even they aren’t sure which player they would prefer.
In a mock draft released Thursday morning, ESPN.com’s Chad Ford has Washington’s Markelle Fultz going first to the 76ers, UCLA’s Lonzo Ball going to the Lakers at No. 2 and Duke’s Jayson Tatum to land in Boston with the third pick.
For the Suns, the NBA insider has Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox, with the pick having come down to him, Kansas’ Josh Jackson or Florida State’s Jonathan Isaac.
But as Ford explains it, there is some disagreement within the organization on who the pick should be.
Jackson would give them a defense-minded wing who adds toughness and versatility to a young, offense-minded team. He appears to be favored by GM Ryan McDonough.
Fox gives them a high-character, super-quick point guard who could open the door to Phoenix moving Eric Bledsoe over the summer. However, he canceled his workout with the Suns and didn’t reschedule. Still, owner Robert Sarver, according to a source, is very high on Fox.
Isaac might have more upside than either player as a long, athletic forward who can guard multiple positions and score in a number of ways. He has the support of head coach Earl Watson.
It really would come down to what the Suns feel like they need most, though Ford believes Jackson would be the best fit.
Jackson is one of the more popular fits with the team, as the lanky and athletic forward is seen as a player who will provide energy, passion and defense while his shot and scoring ability hopefully improves. He averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3 assists per game as a freshman.
Fox, on the other hand, is a dynamic point guard who averaged 16.7 points, 4.6 assists and 4 rebounds per game for Kentucky, and outplayed presumed second overall pick Lonzo Ball when they went head-to-head.
As for Isaac, the 6-foot-10 forward is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft, with his unique blend of size, athleticism and skills. He averaged 12 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.5 blocks per game as a freshman.
While nothing is guaranteed, the consensus seems to be that those three players will still be on the board for the Suns, and in some ways they probably could not go wrong with any of them.
