NBA Draft 2011: Possible Options for Phoenix with the 13th Pick
The 2011 NBA Draft is tomorrow afternoon and the Phoenix Suns have the 13th overall draft choice.
This is the second draft for the new management and their first opportunity to draft in the first round (they didn't have a first round pick last year).
They can't afford to have a bad draft choice and there are several needs that could be filled with this pick. Read on to see the possible options at this pick.
Tristan Thompson PF, Texas
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Tristan Thompson has the potential to be the power forward of the future in Phoenix and he has been getting a lot of love from analysts lately. He has been shooting up most mock drafts and Chad Ford of ESPN has him going 16th overall to the 76ers.
Ford writes, "Thompson could go as high as No. 5 or No. 6. But he also could slide. Just about every team I spoke to likes him a lot, but I've yet to find the team that's fallen in love"
This shows that he is a solid player that is well liked but there is not a team committed to him. That being said, Phoenix needs to take a long look at him if he is available. Plus, he already has the endorsement of Suns player Jared Dudley.
Dudley was featured in an ESPN The Magazine article where players from the current team drafted the player they most wanted at their picks, and Dudley chose Thompson.
Klay Thompson SG, Washington State
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Klay Thompson is another player who has been moving rapidly up mock drafts, and rightfully so.
Thompson is one of the best shooters in the draft and draft analysts are starting to warm up to his skill set. Chad Ford of ESPN has Thompson going 10th overall to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The prospect of Thompson to the Suns all depends on whether the Bucks choose Thompson or Alec Burks with the 10th pick. The Bucks will almost certainly choose between these two and the one not selected could fall out of the lottery.
Thompson fits the Suns since there is a glaring hole at SG and his shooting stroke would be a very welcome addition to the team.
Alec Burks SG, Colorado
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Alec Burks is considered one of the better SG prospects in the draft class, along with Klay Thompson.
Burks plays a much different style than Thompson though, he is much more of a slasher. He could be a very good player if he could improve his shooting stroke (which is always necessary in Phoenix).
The fact that he does not have as polished of an offensive game could really hurt him but his defense is definitely a plus. He has all the tools to be a successful perimeter defender and has the desire to be that.
Chris Singleton SF, Florida State
4 of 4Chris Singleton is, arguably, the best perimeter defender in the draft and the Suns could use plenty of defense.
He could be the first selection of a new era in Phoenix and he would give the Suns a deadly defensive trio at the small forward spot. Jared Dudley, Grant Hill, and Singleton would be able to shut down even the best offensive small forwards and they all provide their own unique offensive talents.
Drafting Singleton is probably the third choice on the Suns wish list, behind Tristan Thompson and Klay Thompson, but the Suns will be happy to scoop him up if both Thompsons are gone by this time.
For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NBA mock drafts, B/R's Big Board of Recruits, NBA draft rumors, NBA draft results and draft grades.
