Early ESPN mock has Suns drafting 2019’s most complex prospect

Even the most optimistic expectations for the Phoenix Suns can’t avoid the reality for a team playing in an improved Western Conference.

The odds of Phoenix making the playoffs this coming season aren’t high with its young roster learning under first-year head coach Igor Kokoskov. That means another expected draft lottery trip. And another lottery trip, even under the altered odds, could give the Suns a top-five pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

ESPN’s win-loss projections based on real plus-minus give Phoenix the third pick in next June’s draft, and it’s there that ESPN analyst Jonathan Givony’s most recent mock draft has the Suns selecting Duke freshman Zion Williamson.

The forward is among the most unique prospects to come out of the draft in some time.

For the Suns, the complexities he brings lead to more questions.

But first, let’s get down to why he’s so unique. Williamson is listed at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, the latter of which would make him the second biggest player in the NBA if he entered the league today.

At that weight, Williamson can absolutely fly. For all the violent posterizations of high schoolers that can be cued up with a YouTube search, none display the physics-defying athleticism more than an uncontested dunk this summer — from the free throw line.

Williamson’s athleticism overshadows his skill.

At his size, he’s an excellent ball handler with the ability to rebound, push the ball and make plays for others. Considering his size, he’s light on his feet and nimble enough to Eurostep or navigate around defenders on the attack. His defensive upside likewise profiles well because of his athleticism and awareness.

He’s not raw by any means. Williamson’s biggest flaw is his jumper, something he hardly used dominating in the high school ranks but showed relatively massive improvement on during Duke’s tour of Canada this offseason.

How much his jumper on the move becomes a part of his offense and how accurate his set three-point shot develop will determine a lot. Any lack of development there might make him an odd fit on Phoenix if the Suns were to draft him next offseason.

Heck, fitting Williamson as a puzzle piece on any NBA team is odd considering how hard it is to even compare him to past players at his size, with that athleticism and that skillset.

That’s too much projecting to get into at this time, before Phoenix’s 2018 draft class of Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Eli Okobo play their first NBA game.

But as the Suns set out this season, it’s worth keeping an eye on one of the most unique prospects who’s expected to go in the top-five.

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