2012 NBA Draft: Who Is the Right Fit for the Phoenix Suns?

With the NBA lockout still in effect, many basketball fans have turned to college basketball, which showcases intriguing prospects.

For Phoenix fans, a big question is who will the Suns draft in 2012? For the past few years, the Phoenix front office has done a horrendous job, selling draft picks and drafting the wrong twin—but can the 2012 NBA draft be the one where the Suns get it right? 

A big factor is Phoenix's long-term plan. Obviously, Grant Hill and Steve Nash won't be around for much longer, so a focal point should be to find guys who can replace the two. One name that has been floating around is Myck Kabongo. 

Kabongo has Nash's support, which is a good thing, as well as talent. He has the tools and skills to be the best pure point guard in his draft class, not to mention he is a capable defender. Another key is that he is a leader, which the Suns will need going forward.

The biggest knock on Kabongo is his size and strength, and some concern has arisen over his scoring ability. These arguments are reasonable, but they shouldn't deter Phoenix from drafting the best pure point guard in the 2012 class. It would be ideal to draft him and let him develop under Nash for a year or two before letting him start.

Another player that should interest the Suns is C.J. Leslie. He is an extremely athletic small forward who can make an immediate impact on the team. His offensive game is not very polished, but he has upside and has shown to be a great dunker who can run the floor, which is a key to play with Nash.

The biggest concerns right now are his character issues and mental toughness, already having been suspended for three games at the start of the season. In the past, Nash has been able to straighten out guys with questionable mental toughness such as Tim Thomas, so there's reason to believe that he can keep Leslie in check. If his character issues and lack of polish cause Leslie to fall to the second round, the Suns would be wise to draft him.

With these two picks, the Suns would be positioned for the present and future with replacements for Steve Nash and Grant Hill.