2018 NBA Draft: Who‘ll Be First?

Smoke screens tend to run rampant surrounding any professional sports draft, but the Phoenix Suns seem to be somewhat transparent ahead of the 2018 NBA Draft. Or are they?

All signs point to either Deandre Ayton or Luka Doncic as the intended number one overall selection for the Suns, but one never knows until that name is read on draft night. Phoenix didn’t earn that top draft spot by oozing with talented ballplayers, so their roster needs are certainly plentiful. Here’s a look at why these two guys stand out in an athletically-gifted draft class, and a peek at the chances of Phoenix going off course to grab someone else first overall.

Arizona’s Dayton is certainly physically intimidating, as a big 7’1” body with a massive wingspan. The freshman moves around the court with ease for a center and possesses the skills of a perennial NBA All-Star. During his time as a Wildcat, he averaged 20 points on 33.5-minutes, with a 61.2 field goal percentage. Dayton dominated opposing defenses, ranking sixth in rebounds among NCAA Division l players, posting an average of 11.5 per game. What he lacks in ball-handling and accuracy, the 19-year old has the ability to learn on the job. He brings a solid jump shot, effective post offense and a decent 73% free throw percentage to the table. The Suns can undoubtedly benefit from his physical prowess, making him the leading contender for the top pick.

When it comes to Doncic, his skills and accomplishments set him apart, as opposed to Dayton’s brute prominence. At just 19, he led Real Madrid to the EuroLeague title and earned the distinction of the youngest player to be awarded the league’s MVP. Last season. Doncic averaged 16 points in 25.56 minutes, with an impressive 81.6 free throw percentage. On the downside, he has shown a lack of separation in one-on-one situations at times, particularly in the EuroLeague playoffs. There are questions of Doncic’s potential for immediate success against the NBA’s strongest defenders, but his skill set and youth project a much more pro-ready outlook for the Slovenian talent. Phoenix could potentially plug him in and go, which has its own appeal.

There’s always the chance that Phoenix could surprise everyone, go rogue and decide to head in a different direction when it comes to their first overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft. Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr., a strong power forward could certainly improve the Sun’s roster for years to come, along with Duke’s Marvin Bagley lll. Click here to make your predictions for the first overall pick, as well as other exciting NBA Draft contests at Fame Project.

This year’s draft class is jam-packed with talent and features a group of players who can make a real difference in the future of the NBA. Fans should be excited about the direction of the league, in the hopes for more parity among the teams and divisions down the road. These are exciting times in the NBA, and the future begins June 21st with the Suns on the clock.