Fansided

2017 FanSided NBA Network Mock Draft: Let the experts decide

By Staff

March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jayson Tatum

Forward, Duke

Often compared to Carmelo Anthony, Tatum had a wonderful workout in Phoenix the week before the draft and by all accounts blew management away with his shooting. Considered capable of coming into the league and contributing right away, if he is willing to play team basketball and break from the isolationist game that made him a top-five pick out of Duke, he could become part of a powerful offensive one-two punch when paired with Devin Booker.

Drafting Tatum puts the future of T.J. Warren out of focus. The 23-year-old is already capable of averaging 20 points and 7 boards per game. How Phoenix decides to manage he and Tatum becomes the next big question to be answered over the summer. Starting Tatum thus bringing Warren off the bench would make T.J. a Sixth Man of the Year candidate in 2017-18. However, as his market value is sure to be high, trading Warren could help to acquire the young franchise point guard Phoenix may have hoped to draft in Lonzo Ball, especially when packaged with other trade assets like the bevy of first round picks the Suns have at their disposal over the next few years.

— Adam Maynes, Valley of the Suns, @ValleyoftheSuns