Sir Charles in Charge
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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Versatile bigs dominate the top 5

By Connor Harr

CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 08: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Dean Smith Center on February 8, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 08: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Dean Smith Center on February 8, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, AZ – DECEMBER 09: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after scoring against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half of the college basketball game at McKale Center on December 9, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ – DECEMBER 09: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after scoring against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half of the college basketball game at McKale Center on December 9, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2. Phoenix Suns: DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona

Big Board Rank: 2

Trae Young could be selected here if the Suns don’t view Elfrid Payton as a long-term option. Elfrid Payton gives the Suns a much-needed perimeter defender though and is a great compliment to Devin Booker. Therefore, the Suns should keep Elfrid Payton (for the right price) and draft DeAndre Ayton.

Ayton has the highest upside of anybody in the class. At 7-foot-1 and 250 pounds Ayton is a grown man that will step in and start at center from day one. This gives the Suns a big man that can rebound the basketball averaging 10.7 a game and be skilled in the pick and roll and pop game.

This is huge since Phoenix seems to be transitioning into making Devin Booker their primary ball handler. Booker isn’t an iso heavy player, but a spread pick and roll game with Booker and Ayton could be deadly. Ayton’s improved rim protection lately might shows that he may have improved on one of his biggest weaknesses, and might eventually provide value as a rim protector.