DOUG AND WOLF

Arizona dignitaries provide their choice on Suns’ No. 1 draft pick

Jun 21, 2018, 11:41 AM | Updated: 1:49 pm

The state of Arizona is buzzing with the 2018 NBA Draft set to get underway Thursday.

And the bat signal has been sent out.

As a part of 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s daylong coverage leading up to and after the first name is called, members of the Arizona sports scene, or as Doug & Wolf like to call them, Arizona dignitaries, provided who they thought should go No. 1 and the possible anger that could ensue if the team went a different direction.

So, without further to do, here’s who they believe the Suns should choose:

Shane Doan – Former Arizona Coyote

AP Photo/Ralph Freso

Pick: Deandre Ayton

“He’s the best, and you have no choice, you have to take him. If you don’t, you’re in trouble,” Doan said. “He played in Arizona and everyone agrees, he’s the consensus No. 1.”

Anger if not picked:

“I’m probably throwing things.”

Tony Jefferson – Former Arizona Cardinal and current Baltimore Raven

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pick: Trade

“Personally, and nobody agrees with me, but I do think we should trade that pick for an already-proven superstar,” Jefferson said.

“I don’t know, maybe somebody else becomes available tonight that they are willing to give up that’s a superstar that can help [Devin] Booker, but at the same time my whole theory is that superstars attract superstars. If we can get a superstar who can attract another superstar then we could maybe build a big three.”

Derrick Hall – D-backs’ President and CEO

(Matt Layman/Arizona Sports)

Pick: Ayton

“Having watched him all year, I’m all in on Ayton, that’s for sure. I wouldn’t be sad if it was Bagley, but there’s nobody like Deandre, he stands out,” Hall said.

Bobby Hurley – ASU head coach

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Pick: Ayton?

“If you would have asked me that question six weeks ago, it would have been such an easy decision and I’d say absolutely Ayton.”

BUT

“I watched some film on the kid [Luka] Doncic and I just think he could be special just because of his IQ for the game, his instincts, his passing ability, it’s just the game is different. He’s got a mind for a game that’s really rare.

“It’s hard to deny what Ayton is and his physical attributes and his skill to go along with it,” Hurley added. “Bagley’s the other guy and after that it gets a little bit dicey for me.”

Carson Palmer – Former Arizona Cardinal

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pick: Ayton

“I’m all in, I’m all in. I think there’s some other good choices at the very top, but I’m all in on Deandre,” Palmer said.

If not picked:

“I trust in what our GM and ownership’s doing and it’s not like the cupboard’s bare at the top, there’s a handful of good players at the top, whoever fits the Suns organization the best is who they are going to go with, but I mean you’re picking between [Marvin] Bagley and Ayton and those two guys obviously look like they are going to be great players.”

Bob Brenly – Former D-backs manager and current D-backs analyst

Pick: Ayton

“Absolutely, no doubt about it. If basketball’s like baseball, at the beginning of the season you have to pay to get the guy to his home city then you have to pay to send him back at the end of the season. It’s a bus fare up and down the freeway, it’s a no-brainer. You save a couple of bucks,” Brenly said.

If not picked:

“I’ll get over it quicker than due time.”

Max Starks – Former Arizona Cardinal 

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pick: Ayton

“I am all onboard with Deandre Ayton. The story, the skill, everything fits with what I feel the Phoenix Suns need and having a big man that’s young, agile, aggressive and quick is everything the Phoenix Suns need, especially to compete in the highly-competitive West, so I think Deandre Ayton, in my mind, is a lock for the No. 1 pick,” Starks said.

Lorenzo Alexander – Former Arizona Cardinal

(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Pick: Ayton

“Like in special teams and like in football, big speed is hard to match up, and the way you watch the NBA, especially the Warriors and KD, it’s always bout matchups. I’m thinking about big athletic big men that can go out and shoot the three ball, but also get in the game and post up as well and Ayton does that,” Alexander said. “You partner him with Booker and that’s a match made in heaven right there. If you’re trying to build a team, you’re trying to beat the best, the Warriors.”

He also threw a parting jab to a former teammate.

“Tony Jefferson doesn’t know what he talking about,” he said jokingly.

You can catch all the action surrounding the 2018 NBA Draft by tuning into 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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