2017 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Suns snag Lonzo Ball; Heat trade up for Fox

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) controls the ball against Kentucky Wildcats forward Wenyen Gabriel (32) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 23, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

22. Phoenix Suns (via Nets) – Ike Anigbogu, F, UCLA

GM: Chris Wooden; Twitter: @slowdumars

After drafting Lonzo Ball with the third pick, the Suns trade back into the first round and grab his college teammate. Ike Anigbogu enters the draft as one of the biggest question marks, but one with massive upside. He battled injuries in his one year at UCLA, but his size and reach make him a promising defender.

If he can stay healthy, he has the ability to be an an effective rim-protector who can play in today’s hyper-athletic league. Phoenix is poised to give up points by the dozen, but drafting Anigbogu gives them a rim protector to anchor their defense while they fit in other pieces over the next few years. He’s not great on offense (a 48% field goal percentage from someone who gets the bulk of their touches at the rim is troubling), but he’s quick enough to stay out of the lane for the Suns quick guards to penetrate.

Not an exciting pick, but a pick that fits a need. If all goes well, he can fill a role similar to what Bismack Biyombo has done for the Raptors and Magic.