While nothing has been officially ruled out, Suns‘ general manager Ryan McDonough said it is “overwhelmingly likely” that the team keeps the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Scott Bordow of Arizona Central Sports writes.
“There’s a very small grouping of players we’d consider trading it for,” McDonough said of the No. 1 pick. “It would have to be a proven young star player with multiple years on his contract or multiple years of team control. Once you start whittling down the list, that list probably shrinks to a handful of players, if not fewer players than that, so I think the overwhelming likelihood is that we keep the pick.”
We relayed last week that Phoenix is considering a “handful” of options in the draft. Arizona’s Deandre Ayton is the likely first overall pick and has been heavily rumored to be the Suns’ choice. However, international star Luka Doncic and Marvin Bagley III have also been mentioned as possibilities. Doncic has a relationship with the team’s new head coach, Igor Kokoskov.
“It is difficult and I think people are jumping to conclusions as far as [thinking] there’s only one or two guys in the mix for us,” general manager McDonough said in an interview with ESPN. “There are more than that. There are a handful of guys.”
If the Suns are comfortable with several of the perceived top choices, McDonough can follow in the footsteps of the Celtics last season. Boston traded down from the top pick to No. 3, using it to select Jayson Tatum. Markelle Fultz went to the Sixers first overall.
Barring a change of heart, however, it is widely expected that the Suns keep the No. 1 selection, with Ayton viewed as the frontrunner to head to Phoenix.
Doncic can run point for the Suns, no way they skip on that. They could get Capela but only if the Rockets lose I could see the Rockets skip on re-signing him.
LBJ to Houston perhaps
If they lose I could see that. Lebron is becoming a joke man, just jumping on a new team all the time. He’s a clown.
LBJ to WashingtonDC perhaps
Luka is not a point guard, he’s a lot like Booker. I do think that they could play together very well, but I think a better fit is Ayton.
It would be nice for nonRocket teams if the Suns took Doncic then made a play for Capela thus stretching the Rockets out. They won’t lose him though, the flatcap guy says so. Also says Houston in 6. But that was before CP’s twisty horseclop shot.
Ayton. Anything other than him and the Suns screwed up.
They are also “overwhelmingly likely” to screw up the No. 1 pick
Man how can you say that LBJ is a clown!!! He’s only played for 2 teams in his career of 15 years, in this days that’s pretty good you know. Though I think not only the King any player who changes teams to win rings is a bit sad, don’t see the need for it, all is not about winning rings, most legends in the game never will, this doesn’t diminish their status. I really admire that Dame wants to stay in Portland all his career instead of ring chasing, this to me is the real calibre of the man. Amazing legend, he will retire as one of the greatest blazers if not the greatest.
Players should play wherever they want to play, no reason they should be tied to whatever random team drafts them.
I agree but Lebron is always looking for the easiest way out to win rings. Jordan never switched teams and people could say all they want about him having Pippen and Rodman, he performed when it mattered and never failed.
Jordan played for the Wizards as well
Jordan couldn’t even stay in the same sport.