NBA Draft grades: Suns get mostly high marks by nabbing Ayton, Bridges

Volume and fit defined the Phoenix Suns’ haul in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Taking center Deandre Ayton off the board with the No. 1 pick and then trading up from 16th to 10th to nab prototypical 3-and-D wing Mikal Bridges, the Suns nabbed the two most efficient college players on a points per possession basis. They continued to zero in on adding scoring by selecting French point guard Elie Okobo 31st overall and Colorado wing George King — a Bridges light — at No. 59.

Seemingly, the draft decisions by Phoenix general manager Ryan McDonough’s staff filled holes and, especially with the first two picks, gave the Suns ready-to-contribute players for the 2018-19 season.

But there is nuance that might not make everyone give Phoenix a complete and confident thumbs-up, especially regarding the deal to acquire Bridges.

Here’s a taste of NBA Draft grades for the Suns from across the web.

ESPN’s Kevin Pelton

Trade to acquire Bridges from the Sixers – D

The Suns traded the 16th pick, which was used to draft Texas Tech guard Zhaire Smith, plus an unprotected 2021 first-round pick to acquire Bridges. Both are originally Miami Heat picks that Phoenix gained in the Goran Dragic trade of 2015, and Pelton believes it’s a risk considering Miami’s future.

The Heat could be churning the roster in 2020 when the contracts of Dragic and Hassan Whiteside, among others, expire. In other words, the pick could end up lottery-bound, and that’s a big deal in a draft that, if the one-and-done rule changes, could allow the top prospects in the 2020 and 2021 high school senior classes enter in a single draft.

In terms of the average value provided by the two picks above and beyond their salary during their first two contracts, I estimate the difference between the 16th pick and the 10th pick as about $4 million in value. A completely fair trade up, then, would also send something like the 36th overall pick. Even if we discount the 2021 pick to some extent because it’s three years away, Miami would have to be championship contenders to make this look like a fair trade from that standpoint.

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I am a fan of Mikal Bridges, the player the Suns moved up to get. I considered him the seventh-best prospect in this year’s draft, and if you value Phoenix as trading up from No. 16 to No. 7, the deal gets a little more even. (In that case, fair value would be giving up the 16th and 28th picks this year in return.) To justify this trade, Bridges had better become an important contributor.

The Ringer’s Jonathan Tjarks

Selecting Ayton, No. 1 overall – A

The Suns went with the conventional wisdom, drafting the gargantuan big man who had been pegged as the front-runner for the no. 1 overall pick for most of the season. Ayton is a local product who will instantly step into a role as Phoenix’s starting center and one of its primary options on offense. It won’t take long for him to put up numbers. The question is how long it will take for his defense to catch up.

Trade to acquire Bridges from the Sixers – B

The Suns are going all in now, trading away an unprotected first-round pick in 2021 (which may be one of the best trade assets in the league right now) to move up six picks to grab Bridges. His ability to defend either backcourt position should make him an excellent complement to Devin Booker, who is now flanked by defense-first players Bridges and Josh Jackson on the perimeter. Phoenix clearly wants to end its rebuilding effort, and Bridges should help the Suns shore up the biggest holes in their roster.

SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell

Selecting Ayton, No. 1 overall – B

The ideal pick for Phoenix would have been Luka Doncic. Jaren Jackson Jr. is my pick for the best big man in the draft. Those players just fit better into today’s NBA than Ayton does, and for that reason the Suns can’t get anything higher than a B. Doncic and Jackson simply project to have a greater impact on winning games at a high level. Ayton isn’t a bad pick, just not the perfect one.

Trade to acquire Bridges from the Sixers – B

A pure 3-and-D guy. Bridges spent four years at Villanova growing into one of the best shooters in this draft. Now he’s ready to thrive spotting up off Ayton. Bridges is also a pesky defender who lacks strength but can smother opposing ball handlers with his 7’1 wingspan.

Bridges struggles to create his own shot, which is the biggest hole in his game. Phoenix really needs to find a young point guard to get these guys the ball. Is that player Elfrid Payton?

Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo

Selecting Ayton, No. 1 overall – A

There was no reason to overthink this. In my eyes, Ayton has been the top prospect in this draft dating back to October, and his clean fit in Phoenix, freakish athletic traits and developing skill level make him more than worthy for this selection. He will be one of the most athletic 7-footers in the league from the outset, and the key for him will be settling in as a defender to access his full potential. Ayton has all the talent necessary to become a star. The Suns made the easiest choice here, and can begin to build firmly around Ayton and Devin Booker, hoping they form a killer inside-out tandem to lift the franchise back to relevance.

Trade to acquire Bridges from the Sixers – C+

Bridges is a quality player, but lacks a ton of upside, and the Suns are surrendering a quality asset with Miami’s 2021 first-rounder. It might be a whole lot to give up if Phoenix doesn’t get their rebuild into gear quickly, as Bridges is older than all of the Suns’ other core pieces (though he certainly fits). While the player is solid, giving up that pick despite being in full rebuild mode wasn’t the most sensible choice for Phoenix.

Sporting News’ Sean Deveney

Selecting Ayton, trade for Bridges, plus selecting Okobo and King – A

The Suns checked off just about every box in terms of team needs in this draft, getting a stud inside scorer in Deandre Ayton, a 3-and-D wing with the trade for Mikal Bridges, a point guard with starting potential in Frenchman Elie Okobo and another shooter with potential in George King, the man with the most normal name in the entire draft.

The only potential issue is that Ayton termed the pairing of him with Devin Booker “Shaq and Kobe 2.0,” and now Gary Vitti is already choosing sides.

USA Today’s Michael Singer

Selecting Ayton, No. 1 overall – A

Imposing, athletic and able to knock down shots away from the basket, Ayton was always the right pick. His defense will develop, but no other prospect has his same dominant tools. With Ayton, Devin Booker and last year’s lottery selection Josh Jackson, the Suns are building a promising foundation. (A)

Trade to acquire Bridges from the Sixers – B

The prototypical three-and-D player, Bridges, who was traded to Phoenix for Zhaire Smith and a future first-round pick, according to USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Amick, could fit seamlessly into the Suns’ offense. Bridges won’t create many shots on his own, but he plays well off the ball and matured each year he was at Villanova. (B)

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