PHOENIX SUNS

ESPN’s Elhassan leans toward Doncic, doubts Ayton is generational talent

May 30, 2018, 11:47 AM | Updated: May 31, 2018, 7:27 am

(AP Photos)...

(AP Photos)

(AP Photos)

Nothing has come out of the Phoenix Suns’ camp about who they might favor three weeks out from the 2018 NBA Draft.

The widely-regarded expectation among fans and even league executives, according to Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, is that Suns general manager Ryan McDonough won’t pass on Arizona center Deandre Ayton with the team’s No. 1 pick.

Phoenix has yet to work out any of the potential players who could be in the conversation for the top overall selection, and 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro reports those won’t begin for another week as of Wednesday.

Is the Suns’ decision made up?

Maybe. Maybe not.

But calling Ayton the clear-cut top option, for Phoenix especially, isn’t unanimous.

ESPN’s Amin Elhassan told Doug & Wolf on Wednesday that he would favor Slovenian point-wing Luka Doncic over Ayton.

“There are strong arguments for either one. I look at the Suns … there’s a lot of holes. It’s not like, ‘Oh, there’s this hole they have to plug up,'” Elhassan said. “The one that I think is one of the hardest to fill in is passing. The Suns have been a terrible passing team for a number of years, and that’s something that I can’t say, ‘Well, this guy that I’ll draft, he’ll get better as a passer.’

“When you look at Doncic, and he’s got a supernatural level of passing feel and ability, for a guy that age, by the way — 18, 19 years old — he’s passing with the anticipation of a veteran who’s seen these plays hundreds of times. That’s special. For that reason, I lean toward Doncic. But again, you could sit here and make all the arguments for Ayton and I’d be like, ‘You’re absolutely correct.'”

The 19-year-old Doncic is averaging 14.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists in EuroLeague and Liga ACB play for his Spanish squad, Real Madrid.

The EuroLeague MVP, Final Four MVP and champion this year made his way up many draft evaluators’ boards last summer, when he helped Slovenia and new Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov’s team win EuroBasket 2017. Doncic was named to the event’s all-tournament team.

His resume stacks up well against Ayton, who for the Wildcats averaged 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game as a freshman.

The 7-foot-1, 260-pound center shot 61 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range.

“I don’t think he’s a generational talent,” Elhassan said. “When I think generational talent, I think of what we think of (Sixers point guard) Ben Simmons and (Sixers center) Joel Embiid.

“I think he’s an excellent player, I think he’s deserving of being a No. 1 overall pick. But are we going to sit back and say, ‘One of the greatest to play his position or change the game, change the way the game is played at that position?’ I’m going to lean toward, ‘no.'”

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.

5 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.

9 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.

12 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’s Elhassan leans toward Doncic, doubts Ayton is generational talent