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.