In the event that the Phoenix Suns land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, would it make sense for them to pick Ja Morant over Zion Williamson?
The Phoenix Suns were one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA this season. While no one really expected this team to make the playoffs or be much of a contender in the Western Conference, a team with as much talent as the Suns had on their roster it was at the very least expected for this team to win more than 19 games this season.
Despite somewhat of a step back this season, the hope is that the Suns can hit a home run with a projected top 3 pick (perhaps higher) in the 2019 NBA Draft that could help catapult this team to the next level heading into 2019-20.
In the event that the Suns stay at No. 3, they’ll likely land one of R.J. Barrett or Ja Morant, which would be considered a win-win no matter how it would shake out, based on talent. However, in the event that this team lands the No. 1 overall pick, they’d have their pick at any of the top two talents already mentioned, including Zion Williamson.
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While most teams would be head over heels about landing the No. 1 pick, mostly because it means they’ve landed Zion, it might not be that easy of a decision for the Suns. Over the last few weeks, there have been whispers that the Suns hope to land Ja Morant over Zion Williamson even if they were to land the No. 1 overall pick according to The Athletic (subscription required). However, would it really make sense for Phoenix to move forward with that course of action?
First, let’s discuss the Suns’ roster that they’ll likely have moving forward. At point guard, there’s no question that there’s a clear hole at the position. Returning, the only true point guard the Suns have returning is De’Anthony Melton.
Tyler Johnson is listed as a point guard on the depth chart but really isn’t a natural 1. We’ll put a pin here.
At shooting guard, the Suns are set with Devin Booker. He’s locked up for the foreseeable future and is a superstar in the making. The same could be said about the team at the small forward position, where they have T.J. Warren, Josh Jackson, and Kelly Oubre Jr., assuming that they re-sign him during the offseason – it would be surprising if they didn’t at this point.
In today’s NBA, it’s OK to have that many small forwards because you could just use one at the 4 if needed. Which is what the Suns have done at times. At the true power forward position, the Suns have Mikal Bridges – Dragan Bender is a free agent and likely won’t be returning.
So that could be somewhat of a hole, depending on how Phoenix feels about using Oubre Jr. or Jackson at the 4 full-time.
At the center position, it’s pretty safe to say that the team is set with Deandre Ayton, who had a fine rookie season this past year.
Objectively thinking, it’s easy to see why the Suns and Ja Morant is an ideal fit. He’s the best point guard in the draft, and will likely be taken in the top 3, where the Suns will be selecting. However, would it warrant passing on a generational talent like Zion?
Before answering the question, you have to weigh where you have Zion and Morant as prospects. Zion showcased everything you’d want to see from a prospect, plus he’s the most athletic player perhaps ever.
He showed the ability to hit a 3 if defenses disrespected him, can drive to the basket with ease and was one of the most underrated passers on Duke this year. He looks like a throwback power forward – at 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds – but has the athleticism of a Vince Carter. Who wouldn’t want that?
Even if the Suns feel they’re set at the forward position, Zion is the type of generational player that changes the courses of franchises. Many are projecting him to have the type of impact that LeBron James had on the Cleveland Cavaliers when he busted into the league.
As for Morant, he was almost as electric as Zion. Averaging 15 points, 10 assists and six rebounds per game, Morant popped when you watched any Murray State game. Despite his dynamic season, there are some weaknesses. For one, he needs to show the ability to take care of the basketball better.
He averaged five turnovers per game this past season, nearly a 100 percent jump from his freshman season in college (which should be, at least, somewhat concerning). Then, there’s his small frame. He is 6-foot-3 but is listed at only 175 pounds. The hope is that he fills into his body over the next couple of years, but that’s no guarantee.
Morant joining the young core of Booker, Ayton and Oubre/Warren/Jackson sounds appealing and makes a ton of sense fit-wise.
Ultimately, if the Phoenix Suns were to land the top pick in the NBA Draft, they’d have to be willing to live with the risk that they could be passing on the surest thing we’ve seen in a prospect since LeBron James for a player with immense potential that may or may not work out.
If that’s something the Suns could live with, then sure they could pass on Zion for Morant. However, that could be easier said than done. No matter what is whispered over the next few weeks.