NBA Draft 2011: Drafting Jimmer and 9 Options the Phoenix Suns Have on Draft Day

This is a pivotal time in Phoenix Suns franchise history. They need to decide whether or not they can find a way to win with the current core or if they need to take their franchise in another direction.

With the 13th overall pick in the draft, they have plenty of options. They could trade up, trade for a veteran player or draft someone.

The following are the 10 options the Suns have on draft day.

Draft Jimmer Fredette

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HOUSTON - APRIL 03: Jimmer Fredette of BYU received the 2011 Naismith Trophy Presented by AT&T at the NABC Guardians of the Game Awards Program on April 3, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

If the Jazz pass on Jimmer Fredette at the No. 12 spot, the common belief is that the Suns would snag him 13th overall.

The reason is that plenty of Suns fans would love to see Jimmer become the next Steve Nash. The two had very similar statistics in college and had similar scouting reports leading up to the draft.

As a Suns fan myself, I would be very disappointed if they took Fredette with this pick. I do not see him as the heir to Steve Nash. Fredette reminds me more of an Eddie House-type player.

He will probably be a respectable guard in the NBA for years, but I doubt his superstar potential.

Draft Marshon Brooks

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 08: Marshon Brooks #2 of the Providence Friars dribbles the ball against Jimmy Butler #33 of the Marquette Golden Eagles during the first round of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at

The Suns need a big-time scorer and a new starting shooting guard. Vince Carter is past his prime and the Suns will more than likely let him walk this offseason. Also, Jared Dudley is probably better suited at the small forward position.

Someone like Marshon Brooks would fit in nicely and has a chance to be a starter right away. He is a great scorer who has a smooth jump shot, but thrives when he is driving to the rim. 

Brooks fills the void of a consistent shooting guard that has not been seen since the Suns traded Jason Richardson.

Draft Marcus Morris

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 27: Marcus Morris #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks handles the ball against Ed Nixon #50, Jamie Skeen #21 and Bradford Burgess #20 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the southwest regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball t

Marcin Gortat and Channing Frye are consistent and reliable big men, but Hakim Warrick and Robin Lopez are not.

The Suns could use a little more depth in the post and Marcus Morris could be the best instant-impact guy in the draft.

He fits the Suns system very well. Morris is athletic, a good rebounder and he has a reliable shot from deep.

I feel the Suns should draft a scoring guard rather than a big man, but this selection would not be outrageous.

Draft Alec Burks

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 11: Alec Burks #10 of the Colorado Buffaloes dunks the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks during their semifinal game in the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 11, 2011 in Kansas City, Miss

Alec Burks is one of the best pure scorers in the 2011 draft. He averaged 20.5 points per game last season at Colorado.

The Suns definitely need a shooting guard that can be a consistent scorer, so Burks would be a reasonable option.

He can kill you on offense in multiple ways, but he gets most of his scoring done by slashing and finishing at the rim. Offensively, all he really needs to improve on is his jumper from deep.

Draft Kenneth Faried

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 19: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Morehead State Eagles dunks reacts after a play against the Richmond Spiders during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Pepsi Center on March 19, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Pho

For years the Suns have been searching for a dominant rebounder. Marcin Gortat has shown that he can be that guy, but the rest of the Suns roster does not excel in that area.

Kenneth Faried is the best rebounder in the draft. He simply dominates the battle in the paint every game he plays in.

Issues about Faried’s size and asthma have some teams scared of the power forward, but these issues are not as severe as they appear.

I expect Faried to be one of the steals of the draft, and I hope the Suns have a chance to snag him.

Draft Jordan Hamilton

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 11: Jordan Hamilton #3 of the Texas Longhorns drives with the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies during their semifinal game in the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 11, 2011 in Kansas Ci

This is who I feel Phoenix should draft.

Jordan Hamilton is an exceptional scoring swingman that can put a team on his back. He is the type of player that is willing to take any shot and can beat you in many different ways. 

Hamilton is very fast and will be an obvious weapon in the fast break. The range of his jump shot is also exactly what thee Suns are used to having.

This pick is a perfect marriage. It fills an immediate need for the Suns while it gives Hamilton a home in which he should thrive.

Trade Steve Nash for More Picks

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PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 13: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns gives thumbs up during the NBA game against the San Antonio Spurs at US Airways Center on April 13, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

If the Suns want to begin a rebuilding period, then this could be the best time for them to trade Steve Nash. 

As much as I would hate to see Nash leave the valley, management might decide that this is the best option for their franchise. He still has plenty of value.

If they were to trade Nash, I would expect them to pick up multiple draft picks (maybe not all for 2011) that would help them reshape their team. 

Trade for Minnesota’s Second Overall Pick and Take Derrick Williams

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts in the second half while taking on the Washington Huskies in the championship game of the 2011 Pacific Life Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 12,

There have been some rumors that the Timberwolves would be willing to trade their pick for veteran players that could help them right away. 

It is tough to say who the Suns would have to send to Minnesota to make the trade work, but it might be worth it. It would be great for the Suns too keep Derrick Williams and build a new team around the U of A alum. 

This is the most radical of all the scenarios in this article, but I would not be stunned if it happened.

Trade the Pick for a Player

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ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 12: Stephen Jackson #1 of the Charlotte Bobcats reacts after being called for a foul against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on February 12, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b

The Suns are only a big scorer away from being one of the Western Conference's elite teams again, so trading their pick for a player on a bad team could provide them with a good chance of winning right now.

I would love to see Phoenix go after someone like Stephen Jackson of Charlotte or Kevin Martin of Houston. Either of those two guys would be a huge step up at shooting guard from Vince Carter a season ago.

A trade like this would also give the team a chance to dump some ugly contracts like that of Josh Childress or Hakim Warrick.