There is no question which NBA prospect was most impressive in the NCAA ranks this past season: it was DeAndre Ayton, Arizona’s heralded freshman center. Of late, however, some have suggested the 19-year-old Slovenian sensation, Luca Doncic, should go No. 1 in June’s NBA Draft.
Don’t count on it. Per a new report from Bleacher Report, all signs indicate the Phoenix Suns are targeting Ayton with the top pick.
Almost everyone I reached out to around NBA expects Suns to draft Ayton #1. Only non-Ayton answers were I don’t knows. No firm Doncic responses.
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) May 30, 2018
This is a bit of a surprise, considering how quickly Doncic’s stock has risen. Furthermore, some have suggested Ayton’s style of play is outdated and will not be functional in the modern NBA.
My initial guess was Suns would favor Doncic, go after a big in FA. Rival teams think differently. Still, it’s Phoenix making the pick, and the Suns obviously aren’t telling anyone who they’re taking. https://t.co/nTT17fM8p5
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) May 30, 2018
FOX Sports’ most recent mock draft had Ayton falling all the way to No. 3, with Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr. skyrocketing up the charts.
Michael Porter Jr. ⬆️
Deandre Ayton ⬇️
New week, entirely new look to @jasonrmcintyre's #NBADraft mock. 👀 pic.twitter.com/1NhfNxfobi
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) May 23, 2018
For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski — who is quite plugged in around the league — sees Ayton going No. 1.
In ESPN’s Mock Draft Special, @wojespn selects Deandre Ayton with the #1 Pick for the Suns. pic.twitter.com/dpaPo7XqsW
— Phoenix Suns Insider (@InsiderSuns) May 30, 2018
NBA Draft
The Suns, as expected, won the draft lottery to claim the No. 1 pick. The Sacramento Kings will pick second, with the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks rounding out the top five.
The draft will commence after the NBA Finals, on Thursday, June 21, at 7 p.m. EST.
