NBA Draft 2018: 5 targets for the Phoenix Suns

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrates on the court after the team defeated the USC Trojans 75-61 to win the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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LEXINGTON, KY – FEBRUARY 28: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball against the Ole Miss Rebels during the game at Rupp Arena on February 28, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Guard, Kentucky

The other monstrous position of need on the Suns’ roster is point guard, where the team started seven different players over the course of the season. They lost depth when veteran Brandon Knight tore his ACL during pre-season, then again when starter Eric Bledsoe demanded a trade that ultimately did not bring back his replacement. Alternately, injury and poor performance doomed the position into a black hole for Phoenix, like the Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is probably the Suns’ best option at No. 16 to plug that hole, assuming they opt for Ayton at the top. He fits the versatility the Suns have built across the roster, able to defend multiple positions and create a shot on offense.

Notably, the freshman is also a Kentucky alum, and he would make the fifth such guard to come through Phoenix over the last couple years. Maybe it’s just random (Tyler Ulis was seemingly brought it at least in part based on his relationship with Devin Booker), or maybe it’s a familiarity and trust with the Wildcats’ program. Either way, the coincidence is impossible to ignore.

There would be difficult impediments to constructing an efficient offense around Ayton and Gilgeous-Alexander, however. The Suns’ main obstacle to scoring points efficiently last season was a lack of shooting — drafting those two in the first round would not solve that problem whatsoever. To put it into perspective, it would mean more Troy Daniels minutes for a team with hopes of actually improving in 2019.

Considering the Suns’ need at point guard and the versatility they can build on defense around Jackson and Dragan Bender, Gilgeous-Alexander is a solid option. He is up around the top ten on most boards, meaning if he slid to Phoenix, it would be a great opportunity from a pure talent perspective.

The Suns have also been public about their interest in trading up from 16 for a second lottery pick, where Gilgeous-Alexander could be a target.

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