Empire of the Suns

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Empire of the Suns

EOTS’ No. 31 preview: Big men possibilities for Suns is slim pickings

Moritz Wagner and Chimezie Metu are among the potential big men candidates the Phoenix Suns might consider at No. 31 in the 2018 NBA Draft.
6 years ago
(AP photos)...
Kellan Olson

EOTS’ No. 31 preview: Late first round has long, unique group of forwards

If the Suns want to add a long forward with a specific NBA skill, the beginning of the second round in the upcoming NBA Draft is a good place to look.
6 years ago
(AP photos)...
Kellan Olson

EOTS’ No. 31 preview: 3-and-D wings all over late first round of NBA Draft

The Phoenix Suns could have a couple of interesting names to choose from at the top of the second round if they want to prioritize shooting and defense on the wing.
6 years ago
Real Madrid's Luka Doncic vies the ball as Fenerbahce's James Nunnally tries to block him during th...
Kevin Zimmerman

Luka Doncic a low risk in NBA Draft, though ceiling leaves questions

NBA Draft prospect Luka Doncic doesn't have much flop potential, but he'd have to take giant leaps to make his upside that of a superstar.
6 years ago
(AP Photos)...
Kevin Zimmerman

EOTS’ No. 31 preview: Off-ball guards for Suns to add offensive punch

Grayson Allen, Donte DiVincenzo and Jerome Robinson are among the off-ball guards who could help the Phoenix Suns add offensive punch at the No. 31 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
6 years ago
Arizona's Deandre Ayton, right, celebrates an overtime win with a teammate following the team's NCA...
Kellan Olson

Deandre Ayton’s tantalizing upside, high floor could top Suns’ board

Deandre Ayton's high floor and unquestionable upside make him an extremely appealing prospect for the Phoenix Suns to consider at No. 1.
6 years ago
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Empire of the Suns

Empire of the Suns NBA mock draft: Predicting who goes where

To provide context to the Phoenix Suns later draft picks, here is a 2018 NBA mock draft based on expectations and team needs.
6 years ago
(AP photos)...
Kellan Olson

EOTS’ No. 31 preview: Second round offers seasoned, skilled PG choices

Sure, this year's draft class has an extremely promising top section. But, as you'll learn with Empire of the Suns, there is a surprising amount of depth beyond that.
6 years ago
Arizona forward Lauri Markkanen (10) and Southern California guard De'Anthony Melton (22) vie for a...
Kevin Zimmerman

EOTS’ 5 at No. 16: Would De’Anthony Melton be a reach for Suns?

Former USC Trojans guard De'Anthony Melton is a jumper away from becoming a very promising NBA Draft prospect. He could fit the Phoenix Suns' needs at No. 16.
6 years ago
Texas Tech's Zhaire Smith, top, dunks against Villanova during the second half of an NCAA men's col...
Kellan Olson

EOTS’ 5 at No. 16: Would Suns gamble, wait on Zhaire Smith’s development?

For the Suns and prospect Zhaire Smith in the NBA Draft, the question is this: Would they take a player with the rawest offensive skillset of any top-20 prospect and put him in a crowded wing group?
6 years ago
Kentucky forward Kevin Knox (5) and Buffalo guard Dontay Caruthers (22) reach for a loose ball duri...
Kevin Zimmerman

EOTS’ 5 at No. 16: Could Kevin Knox be Jayson Tatum light?

Jayson Tatum proved that NBA Draft scouts need not get overly-worried about fitting a mid-range wing into the modern game. Kevin Knox is the next player to challenge that thought.
6 years ago
Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22) tries to block a pass by Davidson guard KiShawn Pritche...
Kevin Zimmerman

EOTS’ 5 at No. 16: Gilgeous-Alexander could plug Suns’ PG hole

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who left Kentucky for the 2018 NBA Draft after his freshman season, would give the Phoenix Suns defense and another ball handler to put alongside Devin Booker.
6 years ago
Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) dunks against Oregon State in the second half during an NCAA col...
Kellan Olson

Not No. 1: Deandre Ayton and the versatility of modern NBA centers

Empire of the Suns doesn't have Arizona center Deandre Ayton as the No. 1 overall prospect in the NBA Draft and doesn't believe he should be the pick for the Suns.
6 years ago
Texas A&M's Robert Williams (44) dunks against Providence during the second half of a first-round g...
Kellan Olson

EOTS’ 5 at No. 16: Robert Williams’ defensive upside is what Suns need

The Phoenix Suns could use a premier rim protector and rebounder to learn under Tyson Chandler and Texas A&M's Robert Williams has the upside to be that.
6 years ago
Real Madrid head coach Pablo Laso gives instructions to Real Madrid's Luka Doncic during their Fina...
Kevin Zimmerman

The 5: Luka Doncic has mostly pluggable holes in his game

An argument can be made that Luka Doncic is the safer NBA Draft prospect at No. 1 in terms of his floor. But what are his flaws the Phoenix Suns must consider?
6 years ago
(AP photos)...
Kellan Olson

Empire of the Suns NBA Draft Big Board 5.0, Part III: No change at No. 1

A look at lottery trade-up options all the way to Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic at the top of Empire of the Suns' post-combine 2018 NBA Draft big board.
6 years ago
(AP photos)...
Kellan Olson

Empire of the Suns NBA Draft Big Board 5.0, Part II: Post-combine risers

With the NBA Draft Lottery and NBA Combine wrapped up, Empire of the Suns updates their NBA Draft Big Board with 30 prospects.
6 years ago
(AP photos)...
Kellan Olson

Empire of the Suns NBA Draft Big Board 5.0, Part I: Favorites at No. 31

With the NBA Draft Lottery and NBA Combine wrapped up, Empire of the Suns updates their NBA Draft Big Board with 30 prospects.
6 years ago
(AP photos)...
Kellan Olson

NBA Combine notebook: DiVincenzo, Huerter impress in 5-on-5 play

The NBA Combine's 5-on-5 scrimmages wrapped up on Friday and two sharpshooters stood out that could both be available when the Suns pick at Nos. 16 and 31.
6 years ago
Arizona's Deandre Ayton (13) celebrate during the final seconds of their 84-78 victory over 3rd ran...
Kevin Zimmerman

Why Deandre Ayton is the favorite to go No. 1 in the NBA Draft

The Phoenix Suns could draft point-wing Luka Doncic at No. 1 in the 2018 NBA Draft, but it would take a lot for them to pass over Arizona Wildcats product Deandre Ayton.
6 years ago
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Kellan Olson

NBA Combine notebook: Bamba’s wingspan record, Young’s size

The NBA Combine's measurements were revealed on Thursday and there were several things that stood out.
6 years ago
(AP photos)...
Kellan Olson

The 5: Potential trade-up options for Suns at No. 16

The Phoenix Suns want to be aggressive this offseason, so could they trade up and have a second lottery pick in the 2018 NBA Draft?
6 years ago
Deandre Ayton from Arizona sits on the stage before the NBA basketball draft lottery Tuesday, May 1...
Kevin Zimmerman

There’s no debate: The Deandre Ayton vs. Luka Doncic debate is real

It's fine to want the Phoenix Suns to pick Deandre Ayton in the 2018 NBA Draft. It's not fine to call it a no-brainer with Luka Doncic on the board.
6 years ago
Slovenia's Luka Doncic reacts during their Eurobasket European Basketball Championship semifinal ma...
Kellan Olson

Empire of the Suns post-lottery NBA Mock Draft: Doncic at No. 1 for Suns

The NBA Draft Lottery is over. The Phoenix Suns are picking No. 1 overall. See who Empire of the Suns has them taking in their latest mock draft.
6 years ago