Whom the Phoenix Suns Should Target in the 2015 NBA Draft
Head coach Jeff Hornacek and the Phoenix Suns are stuck in the middle.
They haven't quite broken through to the NBA playoff mix yet, and they're not bad enough to have a high draft pick. Although the franchise has made strides from where it was a couple of years ago, it has a strenuous uphill battle ahead in order to contend in the Western Conference.
Phoenix lost 10 of its last 11 in the 2014-15 regular season and faded from the postseason picture, but there are some bright spots moving forward.
Eric Bledsoe gives the squad a dynamic playmaker at the point, Alex Len is a promising young center and the Morris twins are mainstays for the future. The Suns also have crafty guard Brandon Knight, who's a restricted free agent this summer. When the Suns are in attack mode, it's hard to slow them down.
The rest of the roster isn't solidified for the long term, so this draft could help give the team some clarity and direction. While the 13th pick won't land them a superstar, there are some quality role players worth acquiring.
Who should general manager Ryan McDonough target with their late-lottery selection?
Target No. 1: Frank Kaminsky
Power forward and center aren't the Suns' top areas of positional need, yet Wisconsin big man Frank Kaminsky should be scooped up by Phoenix instantly if he's available.
Why add another power forward? Because his outside shooting could greatly enhance their offensive game plan, and his interchangeability between the 4 and the 5 makes him compatible with a number of lineup variations. He could play as the 4 alongside Len, or he could hold down the 5 spot next to either of the Morris twins.
"... for a team that likes to run the floor and deploy unusually undersized lineups, the Suns don't have enough perimeter-oriented firepower at the 4," said B/R's Dan Favale.
Kaminsky has the skill set to play inside and outside as a center or power forward. He scored efficiently from all three levels in 2014-15, including 70 percent at the rim, 46 percent on two-point jumpers and 42 percent from three-land, per Hoop-Math.
His ability to stretch the floor as a spot-up or pick-and-pop weapon would give Bledsoe room to accelerate toward the rim. Meanwhile, Kaminsky has the size (7'0") and two-way interior chops to spell Len at the 5 when called upon.
If Kaminsky is still on the board, Phoenix shouldn't blink or use any of its time on the clock. McDonough recently told Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic that the Suns will take the best player available, and Frank the Tank would certainly be the top commodity if he falls to them.
However, if he's already gone and they still want to nab a power forward, Kentucky's Trey Lyles might be a versatile option. His smooth shooting range will continue to expand, and his face-up game is nimble.
Target No. 2: Versatile Small Forward (Kelly Oubre or Sam Dekker)
The Suns already have a couple of small forwards on their roster, but it would be worthwhile to aim for an upgrade. They could target a high-upside athlete like Kansas' Kelly Oubre or a do-it-all prospect like Wisconsin's Sam Dekker.
In Oubre, Phoenix wouldn't get an instant cog, but he'd become one of the most talented players on the team with some grooming. His ranginess, fluid athleticism and shooting potential (36 percent on threes) make him an all-around threat.
He didn't shine as a superstar freshman for the Jayhawks, but he gradually grew into a key role as a secondary scorer. Despite his relatively raw ball-handling ability, he showed superb body control and agility en route to the rim.
If he flirts with his ceiling, he'll be a far more versatile and explosive small forward than P.J. Tucker or T.J. Warren.
And if the Suns don't want or need to use him right away, they can slowly develop him in a peripheral role or in the NBA D-League. After all, McDonough mentioned to Coro, "at some point, there is a saturation point for young players as you try to put together a team that is capable of competing and making the playoffs in the Western Conference." There's no need to force more players into the rotation if it's not necessary.
Speaking of multidimensional prospects, Dekker is a great option late in the lottery, as well. He has a great feel for the game and a solid, if unspectacular, arsenal of skills. Hornacek could plug him into a myriad of situations with the confidence that he'll make the right plays and hit timely shots.
Dekker's 6'9" frame, mobility and smarts would help streamline the Suns' efforts on both offense and defense. Don't expect Oubre-like upside from the Badgers star, but you can anticipate immediate contributions in the rotation. Dekker would be one of the most impactful players on the floor, even if he's only the third or fourth scoring option in the lineup.
Target No. 3: Devin Booker
Much like the Kaminsky pick, this targeted prospect is a floor spacer, and an elite one at that.
The Suns need to shoot the three-ball at a higher percentage if they want to maximize the talents of innovators like Bledsoe and Knight. They hoisted a bunch of triples in 2014-15 (10th-most in NBA), but they ranked 21st in three-point percentage (34 percent).
Devin Booker's pure shooting stroke could help boost that number. He connected on 41 percent of his treys at Kentucky last season, exhibiting the instincts and mechanics to consistently torch the nets.
At a recent workout in Phoenix, Booker explained his approach to the game and why his athleticism might not seem as dazzling as other prospects:
"People get caught up in trying to do things they don't do," Booker told Coro. "I'm not one of those types. I keep it simple and take what the defense gives me."
He'll stick to his primary role of stretching defenses beyond the arc, but he's not afraid to attack closeouts, curl around screens for buckets and get after it defensively. Booker's 6'6" frame and above-average agility will sneak up on opponents if they overplay his shooting.
The Wildcat gunner could be a critical addition if Gerald Green bolts in free agency. He would get plenty of chances to light up the scoreboard, and the marriage would be mutually beneficial for him and the rest of the rotation.
Dan O'Brien covers the NBA draft for Bleacher Report.
Follow him on Twitter: @DanielO_BR
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