Texas A&M Basketball: 5 best fits for Robert Williams in 2018 NBA Draft
By Jeff Shull
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have some good talent on paper, but they are still a couple of good draft picks or free agents away from contending for a playoff spot, much less a championship. Devin Booker is one of the most fun young players in the league to watch. He is very gifted offensively, but he doesn’t have a lot of help around him in any regard.
Josh Jackson came on strong as the season progressed. He showed flashes of being a capable wing in the NBA and the Suns have to like what they saw in him to end the season.
In terms of excitement for the future, that’s about it. TJ Warren can score but he had an abysmal net rating (-9.5) that is getting worse and not better and he shoots below than 30% from deep in his career. Elfrid Payton and Troy Daniels are nice complimentary pieces, but that’s their ceiling. Tyson Chandler led them in rebounding a year ago, but he’s likely on his way out into retirement soon and not nearly the defensive presence he once was.
The Suns finished dead last in both offensive and defensive rating in 2017-18. That’s horrifically bad and it’s obviously they need a talent infusion.
Phoenix has the highest probability of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the draft this year. If they get it, they will likely go with European sensation Luka Doncic or Arizona big man Deandre Ayton. If they go with Doncic, as I personally believe they should, they have a chance to add Williams later with the 16th overall pick. He would bring a defensive intensity and rim protection and immediately improve on a team that has been awful on defense for years.