Suns pick Miami’s Jordan Miller, centers
It’s draft day for the Phoenix Suns, who as it stands should have a second-round pick on Thursday.
It’s not clear if the Suns will hang onto their 52nd overall selection or if a pick swap is in order for the pending Bradley Beal-Chris Paul trade with the Washington Wizards. That, by the way, isn’t expected to go through until a trade call Friday, reports Yahoo! Sports’ Jake Fischer.
A swap likely lands the Suns at 57th overall, where Washington owns a pick.
The final round of NBA mock drafts trend toward the Suns picking either Miami Hurricanes wing Jordan Miller or a few project centers.
People are assuming there is a Deandre Ayton trade on the horizon. Even without that, Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale are free agents, though there’s reason to believe they will attempt to re-sign at least one of those players.
As for Miller, it would make sense. He’s a 3-and-D wing who went to Miami, the same school as Suns president of basketball operations and GM James Jones.
A five-year college player at George Mason and Miami, he was the second-leading scorer on the national runner-up (15.3 points per game), who was efficient (55% overal) and took a step as a three-point shooter (35% on 2.5 attempts per game) this past season.
He’s also got pretty darn good length in a slim frame, can create with a few dribbles and rebounds at a solid rate.
Beyond Miller, Washington State center Mouhamed Gueye, Florida center Colin Castleton and UConn’s Adama Sanogo are mocked to Phoenix, as is project wing Emoni Bates, who we covered in the previous edition of this mock-draft outlook.
2023 NBA mock draft picks – Suns
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo
57th overall: Miami wing Jordan Miller
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie
52nd overall: Miami wing Jordan Miller
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor
52nd overall: Florida center Colin Castleton
If the Suns move Deandre Ayton, then they’ll likely need to add some centers on the cheap. Castleton could develop into a solid two-way presence.
Yahoo! Sports’ Krysten Peek
52nd overall: UConn center Adama Sanogo
With the addition of Bradley Beal and an established backcourt, the Suns can add some more size in the post and defensive presence this late in the draft with Sanogo. He was one of the best rebounders during the regular season and in the NBA Draft Combine scrimmages and can be slotted beside Deandre Ayton in the post or give solid secondary minutes off the bench right away.
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman
52nd overall: Washington State C Mouhamed Gueye
In a draft with limited true bigs, Gueye should hear his named called after a productive season that highlighted a combination of post skill, mid-range touch, face-up driving potential and rebounding motor.
ForTheWin.com’s Bryan Kalbrosky
52nd overall: Washington State C Mouhamed Gueye
NBADraft.net
Eastern Michigan wing Emoni Bates
