1. Phoenix Suns: DeAndre Ayton, C/PF, Arizona
DeAndre Ayton, in his sole season at the University of Arizona, proved that he was the best player in college basketball. He is a great selection for the Suns because their key young pieces, Josh Jackson, Devin Booker, and TJ Warren, all are perimeter players. They are in need of size as Alex Len hasn’t shown much improvement since he was drafted in 2013. Their other center, Tyson Chandler, isn’t getting younger and is far removed from his Defensive Player of the Year days. Ayton is automatic at scoring in the paint. He, like many of the young bigs in the league, has touch from mid and three point range too. His size makes him an excellent rebounder, but his interior defense has been questioned. You’d think someone with his size would be a great rim protector, but he just isn’t. This has some calling him a bust already (which is utterly ridiculous), but despite those naysayers, Ayton will likely make multiple All-Star appearances in his career.
The Suns recently hired a new Head Coach, Igor Kokoskov, after firing Earl Watson and not resigning interim coach Jay Triano. Kokoskov recently coached in Slovenia where Luka Doncic, another highly coveted prospect in this draft played. This relationship between Doncic and Kokoskov may lead to the Suns selecting him first overall, but Phoenix needs a big more than anything, and Ayton fits the bill perfectly.