NBA Draft 2018: 5 best fits for Deandre Ayton

It’s widely believed that Deandre Ayton will go to the Phoenix Suns with the first pick of the 2018 NBA Draft. Is that the best fit for the massive center?

Not every NBA team believes that Deandre Ayton deserves to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. Of course, only Phoenix’s opinion matters at the moment. Most believe he’s going to end up a Sun on draft night. That doesn’t mean it’s the best possible scenario for the Arizona center.

Let’s start with the good aspects of Ayton’s game. Quite simply, he is massive. His size at the center position compares favorably to the likes of Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns and other big men who are currently seen as NBA elite. The fact that he also can really run also excites scouts.

His offense production at Arizona also bodes well for his transition to the pros. Ayton averaged over 20 points per game with an effective field goal percentage of 62.5. He may not be the punishing low post presence some want him to be, but he’s a safe bet to score at the next level.

The questions regarding Ayton’s game relate to his defense and motor. He definitely didn’t block as many shots in college as you’d expect from a player with his dominant size. Ayton also doesn’t look terribly aware on that end of the floor. The team that drafts him will need to spend a lot of time working to make him an average defender.

Add it all up and the talent is still too much for very many teams to pass up on. The NBA may be going towards the perimeter, but having a big man who can score is still very attractive. Ayton isn’t going to fall very far on draft night even if the Suns pass on him. These five teams should be doing everything they can to get in the mix for the talented big man.