PHOENIX SUNS

ESPN’s ‘Grade A’ NBA mock draft has Suns taking G Tyrese Maxey

Nov 12, 2020, 7:12 AM

16. Houston Rockets: Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky
Looks like this is going to turn into a full-blown f...

16. Houston Rockets: Tyrese Maxey, G, Kentucky

Looks like this is going to turn into a full-blown firesale, so it's upside time! Maxey's defense is legit and he plays downhill well as a ball-handler. There's a ton of potential there. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)

(AP Photo/Julie Bennett)

ESPN continued its tradition of a “Grade A” NBA mock draft, and with it, continued the tradition of the Phoenix Suns acquiring a guard out of Kentucky.

In the exercise by Jonathan Givony, Kevin Pelton and Mike Schmitz, the trio makes picks through the lens of who they think each team should take, thus earning a grade of “A” on each selection.

The Suns took Kentucky guard Tyrese Maxey 10th overall, and Schmitz provided his reasoning.

The Suns are in dire need of another shot-creator alongside Devin Booker, which opens the door for Maxey, who could become the next great under-drafted Kentucky guard. Maxey is a tough, long-armed defender with deep range and excellent touch in the paint. He averaged 19.0 points per game last season against top-25 teams, bringing confidence and a joyous nature to the floor that fits perfectly with what Monty Williams is building.

As Schmitz hit on at the end, some of the biggest appeal in Maxey is the person itself.

The 20-year-old is one of the highest regarded prospects in the class when it comes to winning the interview process, and his personality would certainly interest Williams and general manager James Jones. It comes across in the way he plays, too.

Maxey’s shot-making ability is touted but he wasn’t efficient in college, shooting 42.7% from the field and only 29.2% at three-point range. His defensive upside and length (6-foot-8 wingspan) are a big part of his potential.

The Suns taking Maxey 10th, though, might be less about Maxey and who the Suns would be passing up.

Florida State’s Devin Vassell has clear 3-and-D traits, his college teammate Patrick Williams has a very high ceiling at forward and, for a handful of experts, Alabama point guard Kira Lewis Jr. is the best point guard available in this scenario. That’s also not even hitting on some other wings, like Vanderbilt sharpshooter Aaron Nesmith or the smart and skilled Saddiq Bey out of Villanova.

This is to say that while the Suns are in a good spot of the draft when it comes to having a variety of options to choose from, they still have to pick the right one.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

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.

6 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.

10 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.

14 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.

2 days ago

ESPN’s ‘Grade A’ NBA mock draft has Suns taking G Tyrese Maxey