Phoenix Suns could select multiple international prospects in 2016 NBA Draft

The 2016 NBA Draft could have at least nine international prospects selected in the first round, and seven of those prospects are ranked on big boards in the draft range of Phoenix Suns’ selections.

The scope the Suns cover with their four picks in the draft could very well present a legitimate option from overseas at every selection.

First up is Dragan Bender, who is one of the players that the Suns will consider with their most valuable pick at No. 4 if he’s still available.

The 7-foot-1 power forward offers a valuable NBA skill that few can in this draft: defensive versatility. Despite his height, Bender moves like a wing and will have far more success than your traditional big when it comes to switching onto guards.

That also applies to protecting the rim, where Bender shows good instincts and has the length to become a presence under the rim if he becomes stronger. This, along with his aforementioned freaky lateral quickness for a 7-footer, presents a tantalizing potential defensive skill set.

On offense, Bender is right on the verge of becoming a great playmaker. He has the speed, passing ability and floor vision to be a lethal slashing provider from the perimeter. Most importantly, he’s a good enough shooter to make closeouts mandatory for defenders.

How Bender can progress as a ball-handler and finisher at the rim will dictate how much of a weapon he can become on offense, but his defensive potential is clear and makes him a legitimate option for the Suns at No. 4.

Timothe Luwawu and Furkan Korkmaz could both don a Suns hat on draft night at the No. 13 spot.

Luwawu is touted as a prototypical 3-and-D wing but is much more than that. He’s a terrific passer, can create his own shot and has the level of athleticism to make that happen on a consistent basis in the NBA.

Like Bender, Luwawu’s handle will be the make-or-break development of his offensive game. He’s also not as much of a lock as a three-point shooter as some would lead you to believe, shooting only 33 percent in all competitions over the course of his career. At 21 years old, teams will want to be sure about those weaknesses, which is why Luwawu is closer to the top 15 on most boards than the top five.

With Phoenix having four selections in the draft, the likelihood of them either (a) keeping all four selections or (b) bringing four rookies to training camp is very low. That presents the option of choosing a player who is a draft-and-stash option, meaning the Suns would own the player’s rights while they continue to play overseas.

The timeline on these players selected in the first round is usually three years due to a part of the most recent collective bargaining agreement that makes these players play on a predetermined rookie-scale contract if they choose to come over right away or after one-to-two years.

If a player waits until the third year, they are able to freely negotiate their contract. This is why 2014 first-round selection Bogdan Bogdanovic is unlikely to come over this season and wait until 2017, despite most feeling he’s ready to contribute right now.

Korkmaz is the first player we go over that is most likely a draft and stash player. The best way to describe the 18-year-old is he’s a “utility guard.”

He can shoot, pass, run the offense, attack the basket and create his own shot.

The red flags on Korkmaz are his weight and defense. He only weighs 185 pounds at 6-foot-7, and that hurts his defense tremendously. That also damages his status as a tweener, since he can’t guard point guards, doesn’t weigh enough to play small forward and has more to his game than a catch-and-shoot shooting guard. The Turkish guard is only 18, however, and could develop physically overseas.

Outside of the lottery, centers Ante Zizic and Ivica Zubac are ranked in the 15-25 range, but for the sake of time and Tyson Chandler and Alex Len already on the roster, we will move on.

Four players are possibilities at No. 28, but Juan Hernangomez could be off the board.

Hernangomez has great value as a stretch-four with phenomenal basketball IQ. He makes the smart play all the time and has the motor to out-hustle most players. That along with a pick-and-pop game is highly sought after in today’s NBA.

Defense is a big weakness for Hernangomez, and the reliability of his three-point shot isn’t strong enough to warrant a selection any higher than 20.

Petr Cornelie is one of the biggest hit-or-miss prospects in this draft. He has elite athleticism, can make threes and should be a terrific rim-runner at a higher pace with his work rate. He also has a low defensive IQ, isn’t strong or tough enough to battle down low, has a very limited ceiling as an offensive player and is going to be 21 years old by the start of the season. At No. 28, however, he presents good value.

Guerschon Yabusele is an athlete that stands out. He’s 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and weighs 270 pounds. He’s a load, and he plays that way on both ends. His jump shot is much more developed than you would expect, and his potential as a stretch-four has him as a rapid rise the past month or two of the draft process.

On defense, Yabusele needs to improve greatly, and he isn’t the type of dominant inside presence you’d expect for a man of his size. Like Cornelie, he’s a draft and stash in the hopes of correcting some critical flaws.

Last but not least is a name you might have heard: Zhou Xi. His wingspan is nearly 7-foot-8 and with legitimate three-point shooting, it’s hard to see how he’s not a first-round pick and easy to see why the Suns worked him out.

He needs major growth in a lot of areas, however, including his weight, defense and overall offense.

Xi weighs only 218 pounds at 7-foot-2, which means he will get pummeled on the boards and on defense at either power forward or center. He also has a very low basketball IQ, which is a vital attribute for big men like him who will spend time on the perimeter.

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