Pick 10 - Round 1 - Phoenix Suns

The war in the Suns room around the third overall pick certainly drew media attention, but the run-up to the 10th overall pick was much quieter.  The board more or less played out exactly as the team hoped it would, and discussion proved quite civil, though there was still debate to be had.  More specifically - to go point guard or big man, as they already had 3 of their 5 starters locked in place with Otto Porter, Mitch McGary, and Anthony Bennett.

Most favored one of the two point guards atop their board, but some argued for taking a big man blind as a major overdraft, citing him as the team's biggest need.  "But that'd be a stupid idea," answered one of the others in the room.  "If you look at how he did in camp, he got destroyed by the guy we consider his closest competition.  If he drops, then maybe we go talk to somebody about trading up.  But right now?  No way in hell do you go that route."

"Agreed," said another.  "We could go blind here and watch the whole world go completely apeshit, which would be awesome, and he *does* fill a major need for us, with a great profile.  But, really? Point guard's a bigger need, because we have absolutely no one right now we'd be comfortable putting in the starting lineup.  Beno Udrih's not smart enough, so let's go back to talking about the two guys we know and like."

The leader of the big faction slammed his hand on the table.  "Isiah Thomas is a free agent and can step in right away if we overpay.  We have the cap space and the Heat have to watch their bottom line... and he's the right, young age to make it work."

"You're forgetting Spencer Hawes!" came the shout from another part of the room.

"He only shot 41.5% in the playoffs!" retorted the bigs.

Just when it looked like a brawl was about to break out in the room, Jestor intervened.

"Here's the thing - this draft is quite deep in intriguing big man prospects.  Point guards?  Not so much.  Don't forget, folks, we already have Kelly Olynk and Colton Iverson we could develop alongside McGary, so if we're going to take a big here, we have to be absolutely certain that he's going to be a starter.  If he isn't, then we've just got another spare big part, who, while useful, was a waste of time.  On the other hand, as somebody else said, we have no point guards we trust.  Obviously neither of the point guards we're looking at is a slam dunk, or we wouldn't be having this discussion.  Here's the question - if they fail as point guards, can they be combo guards?"

"Yes," said the director of college scouting.  "They're very close in size and both are capable of filling in at shooting guard.  The difference is in which risks we're comfortable taking.  One has more explosive passing potential and currently much better shooting mechanics.  He's also more ready-now defensively and much more disciplined.  The problem is, he's a turnover machine right now, and it's questionable as to if we're ever going to see him become a competent handler.

"Amateur scouting?  What do you say?"

"The other kid has more polished handling game, but he's raw, and I don't see his floor general skills developing to the point where he'll be anything more than a great combo guard.  On the plus side, he might become a better 3 point shot, and he might become a better defender - certainly he'll become a far greater ball-thief than the other one ever will become, so that's one thing to look at too - you're not going to get many turnovers, ever, from the more developed guy."

"What about a different big?"  The big faction wasn't done yet.  "There's another guy whose shooting and shotblocking we liked."

"Can't play defense and can't rebound.  Forget it," said Jestor.  "I love having two offensive bigs as much as the next guy, but I'd rather go point guard and go big hunting later.  Besides, we've still got Olynyk, remember."

A pause filled the room as everyone thought through the two possibilities again.  To go younger, more raw, and more powerful on defense, or to go older, more ready, and a potential higher upside passing?

"No question who was better in the camp games," one person finally said.

"Yup.  How did we like his interview again?" asked another.

"Great locker room presence, and both these guys have the smartness we look for in point guards, so that's not an issue.  Basically, he checks out with every single intangible we look for in a player - the only issue is his potential durability, which might only be average."

"Sounds like we have our decision," Jestor remarked.  "Besides, remember that the league rules favor passers above all else, so we'll pick this kid.  If we go after Thomas, we go after him, and we've got our 6th man combo guard right here even if we do get him.  If we don't get the Heat's point guard, well, then we've got a guy we'll drop in from Day 1 and see how he grows."

"With the 10th overall pick in the 2014 CSL draft, the Phoenix Suns select...



















Kendall Williams, point guard, University of New Mexico

Jestor's interview comments:

Obviously you know we need point guards.  Some will consider Kendall a risk given his handling and perhaps his defense, but passing is now the name of the CSL game for the 1s, and we were just absolutely blown away by his draft camp numbers - he missed just 8 shots all tournament and even when he missed 4, he was 5/9.  In fact, his numbers finished like this: 72.4% shooting (21/29) for 13 points and 2.5 assists.  That's the kind of consistency and shooting accuracy we dream about here in Phoenix.  He'll develop his floor general skills, whether it's a Day One starter or as a combo guard off the bench.  We're very excited to welcome him to the Suns and think he'll be an excellent fit in our system

Like Bennett I believe its a reach. But I like him too, reminds me of MCW but with the ability to shoot the ball. You got another pick Jestor? Always like your articles.. really a great read man.

really interested to see who will be picked by Querejeta (did I spell it right?).. Sulaimon would be a damn big reach, he should be a pick ~18-25.. so lets see who will be headed to WSH

I have #35, #45, #58, and #60, so yeah I have more picks coming in, but not for a long time yet.

It was a tough choice between Kendall and the other guy who most would have taken probably. But the more I looked at everything, the more Kendall stuck out as the better fit, even though the other guy is the safer pick. It felt like the Lobo version of Kendall (to reference Marshall there ) had more possible wow factor, even given the much riskier floor general floors.

Yeah, as Dennis said, I think this is a little bit of a reach, but oh well. Another guy from the southwest too.

But as you mentioned in the article, you definitely have the means and reasons to pursue Isaiah Thomas in FA, and that'd be a great pickup for you.

I believe you were talking about Hammons in your article as well, thought that would've been a nice pick as well, not a huge fan of Olynyk.

This is the time to make these kind of reaches, though, when you're in the rebuilding phase. Basically my gamble was a ceiling of competent two-way guard who would do fine as a starter, possibly even really good if he's at the high end of the deviation I have for him (Which I'm pretty sure he isn't) or a ceiling of a dynamite passer and shooter with inability to steal the ball and possibly handling issues. If this was DDS 2, I'd have gone the other guy all day every day. DDS 3, my mind's changed on that.

MCW feels like a pretty apt, if taller comparison to KW, although KW is, I suspect, a better scorer, and definitely is a better shooter and defender right now. Obviously MCW is a better passer and stealer currently, and probably a better handler currently, though I'm hoping the upside dice roll my way on that score.

Great read, love looking inside your war room.

Personally I like what you've done, you've grabbed guys who'll perform and run your system perfectly and gave yourself room in FA to get the top assets as well.

Great plan.

I think you were definitely better off going PG over big man here especially with some intriguing names on the board later in the draft. Looking forward to seeing how Kendall develops on your roster.

After the tournament Williams had, great addition here. Jestorball is beginning to rear it's UGLY head again in the CSL.

Good pick. I liked this guy.

Hmmm not really a fan of this pick. But at this point there's no one left to lose sleep over, so I don't mind the slight reach at all.

Wanted him at 17, too bad.

orangeparka (MIA) wrote:Hmmm not really a fan of this pick.

Wanted him at 17, too bad.

  I do get what you're saying though - that it's a reach. But like you say, this draft class is such that by the time you're picking #10, *everyone* has at least one serious potential issue, and you could say the same for pretty much everyone outside of the Top 2 guys, really. (Which of course is why we ended up #3, but oh well).

orangeparka (MIA) wrote:Hmmm not really a fan of this pick. But at this point there's no one left to lose sleep over, so I don't mind the slight reach at all.

Wanted him at 17, too bad.

Damn! Im afraid who will be your aim now.. you are right in front of my #18:D..

the draft goes on slowly:(.. sad to see

Ok there seems to be again a guy Shopping his pick 24 hours. Maybe we should lower the hours you are able to do so... Else we are drafting until April... Really annoying.