Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 8:00 am  |  56 responses

SLAMonline Mock Draft: Jrue Holiday, No. 14

Suns ignore need. Take best player available.

by Rodger Bohn

With the 14th pick in the 2009 SLAMonline Mock Draft, the Phoenix Suns select…

Jrue Holiday. It’s absolutely astonishing that Holiday has fallen this far, given the numerous sources that insisted that he would not fall out of the top ten. While the Suns’ had more of a need in the frontcourt and took a hard look at James Johnson, it was too hard to pass up on a player rated so highly on the draft board at this point. Goran Dragic showed promise as a second round pick for the Suns in 08, but remains the only other point guard on the roster besides Steve Nash. The addition of Holiday gives the Suns depth at both guard positions, along with the outstanding perimeter defender that they so desperately needed.

The selection of Holiday still leaves the Suns with a lack of depth in the frontcourt, but there is a definite method behind this madness. It is clear that the Suns are not going to be winning a championship anytime soon with this group and this very well may be the last push that they make for a few Jrue Holidayyears. They gave up their future and a considerable amount of cap relief with their trade for Jason Richardson. However, the Suns have expiring contracts of Shaquille O’Neal, Amare Stoudemire, and Steve Nash for the summer of 2010 which total approximately 40 million dollars. This puts the team in a position to sign a very nice building block, even if they are able to retain Amare Stoudemire at a max contract. Holiday gives the Suns flexibility at the guard position to allow the aging Nash to pack his bags if he is unwilling to lessen his contract demands.

Even more interesting for the Suns though is the depth of the power forward position for the 2010 NBA Draft.  Though Phoenix traded their pick for 2010 to Oklahoma City in the Kurt Thomas trade, obtaining a pick in the mid to late first round should be quite easy. The position offers significantly more depth next year and will likely boast the names of Ed Davis, Al Farouq Aminu, Donatas Montejunas, John Henson, Craig Brackins, Greg Monroe, Patrick Patterson, Larry Sanders, Devin Ebanks, and Jarvis Varnado. In comparison, there are only a few desirable point guard prospects that will be available outside of John Wall in 2010. The chance of landing one of those big fellas if they are able to grab a first rounder in 2010 makes the decision to draft Holiday much easier, despite the thin front court in the valley of the Sun.

Holiday himself is a very interesting player who found himself caught in a system at UCLA that didn’t exactly cater towards his style of play. With senior Darren Collison running the helm, the freshman was forced to play off of the ball for the majority of his time on the hardwood. His numbers definitely aren’t going to blow you away, but anyone who has seen this kid play for an extended period of time can understand why he stepped into the college game with such high expectations. In efforts to retain Holiday for next season, Ben Howland made it clear that he would put the rock in his hands from day one and let him run the show.

At 6’4, Holiday is one of the bigger playmakers that this draft had to offer. His size, length, and quickness allowed him to straight put the clamps on people defensively. That same size, along with his ability to put points on the board, allows him to slide over to the two guard slot in the bat of an eye. Yeah he’s a tweener, but in a good way. This Hollywood star can play both guard positions equally well, which will give him the opportunity to get more burn as a rookie in the NBA.

The newest Phoenix Sun may take his fair share of bumps as a rookie, but he’s only 18 years old and will be learning under one of the savviest point guards the game has ever seen. It’s tough to pass on a glaring need up front, but this guy was too good to pass on. Howland’s handcuffs are off, and Holiday will now have the opportunity to show fans the talent that made him a consensus top five high school baller nationally.

2009 SLAMonline Mock Draft Results
Pick Team Player
1 L.A. Clippers Blake Griffin
2 Memphis Grizzlies Hasheem Thabeet
3 Oklahoma City Thunder Ricky Rubio
4 Sacramento Kings Brandon Jennings
5 Washington Wizards Jordan Hill
6 Minnesota Timberwolves Demar DeRozan
7 Golden State Warriors James Harden
8 New York Knicks Stephen Curry
9 Toronto Raptors Tyreke Evans
10 Milwaukee Bucks Jonny Flynn
11 New Jersey Nets DeJuan Blair
12 Charlotte Bobcats Terrence Williams
13 Indiana Pacers Earl Clark
14 Phoenix Suns Jrue Holiday
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  • Ronak

    was wandering when Holiday would show up..

  • http://slamonline.com/ Justin Walsh

    Glad he got pick by a squad that caters to his needs. Also, I am surprised he fell this far.

  • Czar Ruke

    6’4? Really? He’s def better than a Hansbrough. Hopefully Earl Clark will slide this far instead.

  • Ken

    It’d be cool if the Suns actually did land him in the draft. For some reason though, I have a feeling he’ll be snapped up earlier.

  • http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com Hursty

    I’m wondering if Patty Mills has ANY shot of making the top 20….

  • http://slamonline.com/ Ryne Nelson

    Not unless Patty *kills* in Treviso this week, Hursty.

  • http://www.fanballers.com so fresh n so clean

    solid pick, and I love the analysis of 2010 draft…but shouldn’t the suns be aiming to make the playoffs next year? and if so, you think any of those PFs are going to be available?

  • http://Nicekicks.com MeloMan22

    this is a nice pick. BUT, i think the learning under a great point guard thing is a bit overatted. Marcus Williams was supposed to do that with Kidd and look what happened. same thing with Dragic and Nash. i still think Jrue will be nice, but learning under Nash wont be the direct cause

  • http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

    I think this is a smart pick. It sets them up for when Nash bolts after next season. People will be shocked at how much their defense will improve with a guy like Holliday at the PG spot instead of Nash. Holliday wil have some time to develop as well, but I totally agree that “learning under a PG” doesn’t really work unless the student gets some burn. I guess that Goran Dragic experiment failed…

  • http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

    Holliday can defend SGs and play some off the ball offensively, but he’s not nearly as effective off the ball as he is as a PG. His shot mechanics still leave plenty to be desired.

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  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    Austin Daye to the Pistons???

  • http://slamonline.com Russ Bengtson

    “Suns ignore need. Take best player available. Sell to Blazers.”

  • http://www.blacknaga.com sherman johnson

    ah…i’m jealous…another nice pg gone but there’s more left…i think i’m in the same boat as you more or less…i need a big man

    TAD: autin daye really? how come? i got my eye on em but i’m concerned about his knee and the ability to bulk up

  • niQ

    6’4? wow. any point guard remotely that tall is always an upside.

  • http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

    TAD I know you’ve been feelin Austin Daye for awhile now. But I just don’t see it with that kid. He was basically the worst athelete at the combine, he’s extremely long but I don’t think he could defend ANY position in the L. He doesn’t seem like he’s ready to come in and contribute either, issues with his mentality and body. The Pistons need to get better now,and Daye is still most definitely a project. He’s no Anthony Randolph either.

  • http://slamonline.com/ Ryne Nelson

    Austin Daye could really be a huge bust. Has there ever been a 6-11 forward who weighs 192 in the League? Even Durant was 15 pounds heavier.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    Ciol: Um actually, i’ve railed AGAINST Austin Daye for some time now. Cub knows this. He has tried to convince me for quite some time on Daye’s skill level and upside. I agree that the kid is crazy skilled, but soft as tissue paper, mentally and physically. Then again, people thought the same thing of Tayshaun Prince coming out of Kentucky. My comment with Daye was more tongue-in-cheek.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    Sherman: Well, see my Daye comment above. I really like Eric Maynor out of VCU for the Pistons. He is another small school combo guard who could come in and contribute right away, almost like Stuckey and Dumars from way back. I know the Pistons really need a big man, but there are just no stellar 4 or 5′s coming out that would be available at pick #15 this year. I like Johnson from Wake, but he is undersized and lacks offensive polish. I’m completely against the stiff from Ohio State, whom I won’t mention by name. Dumars could go a number of directions here, but with 3 picks early in the 2nd round, I see him taking the best talent available. That could possibly be Austin Daye.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    I also know a lot of people are high on Gerald Henderson, but i’m not one of them.

  • http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

    OK thats good to hear, TAD. I’d say that Johnson kid out of Wake would be a nice pick, but he’s like a more offensive minded Maxiell.

  • http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

    TAD: Who would you choose between Jeff Teague and Eric Maynor?

  • http://slamonline.com YKnot

    We know Dumars will make the right call with this pick. I mean look at Darko and Melo now, go Pistons!

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    Ciol: Eric Maynor all day long. I respect Teague, but he is undersized and doesn’t have the mid-range game of Maynor. I also see growth potential in teaching Maynor the PG position in the pros. Teague seems like a great college player who will be strictly a good role shooter off the bench. Nothing more.

  • Chris

    I like the pick, I really do. Hes gonna be a good player but the Suns have noone at the SF position. Hill and barnes are probably both leaving and I liked what I saw under Dragic at pg at the end of the year. If it were me I’d be taking James Johnson. I guess taking Jrue wouldn’t be bad but they need to try and trade for another first round draft choice. I wouldn’t mind trading J rich

  • http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

    TAD: I’m with you in the sense that, I think Teague is actually too similar too Stuckey. I think Teague has the skills to be a bigger better Lou Williams though. But Stuckey has better size and strength and can degfend the two. I haven’t actually seen Maynor play that much, but I know he’s very highly regarded. Does he have the PG skills to move Stuck off the ball? I suppose they could both handle the ball, score and distribute at times and Stuckey is easily big enough to defend twos… I fear that the “Buckeye who shall not be named” could entice Joe if Sheed is definitely on his way out… but I guess 15 is still a little high.

  • Fernando Sanchez

    Goran Dragic= Rookie, hes no superstar but dang give the guy some time to improve, but no the “Goran Dragic expiriment” has not failed…

    wise guys

  • http://slamonline.com Rodger Bohn

    Yeah guys, Holiday measured 6’4.25 in shoes with a 6’7 wingspan at the PreDraft Combine last week. I really don’t think there’s any chance that if he falls this far, but if he does, it’s a no brainer to take him here IMO given the lack of depth at the PF position for the 2010 draft.

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    Ciol: Dumars has already gone on record as saying Stuckey will be playing more of a combo guard role. I’m curious to see what this will do to Rip if Joe drafts someone like Maynor or Holiday.

  • JESSEG

    The Suns have no draft pick next year so this 2010 stuff is stupid. The gave away there unprotected 2010 pick in the kurt thomas trade. So they need to make the playoffs this year to make that not look as bad.

  • http://slamonline.com B. Long

    Rodger is right, Jrue is catapulting himself up the draft boards at the pre-draft workouts. He’ll be gone in the top 10 picks.

  • sam

    shoulda stayed in school 1 more year

  • Jay

    This pick makes sense. Phoenix needs a backup point and a point of the future and based on last year, Dragic isn’t the one. He would be both a need-based pick but also a best player/talent available one and the harmony gives positive vibes.

    I think Earl Clark might be a possibility here as well if he drops this far. After point guard, their biggest need might be the small forward position. Matt Barnes might not be coming back with the way he played inconsistently last season and Grant Hill is old. They need talent and size on the wing position. I’m not a fan of Clark; I think he looks mechanical, he never gets separation on his dribble drives and he doesn’t have a natural ability to finish and just make shots but he is supposed to go around this spot.

  • Marcos

    What differents does it make how many good power fowards are in the 2010 draft. The Suns trade that pick in the “great” Kurt Thomas a 2 unprotected first round picks for a conditional second pick…Maybe Roberts Sarver bought something nice with that money

  • StingrayCharles

    Did SLAM not see patty mills take the redeem team to school at the olympics??? he is going to be an absolute steal for a lakers or cavs or mavs since he is the ONLY PG that has tape confirmation that he can excel at an (allstar) NBA level of play – everyone else is pure guesswork

  • http://slamonline.com Rodger Bohn

    Thanks guys. I threw the edit on there. I didn’t see that PHX didn’t have their pick in the outstanding trade list. Either way, a pick is sold for $3 million every year and it would surely be worth the Suns purchasing one. You could make a case for every one of the guys that I mentioned for 2010 over James Johnson, no joke.

  • Seven Duece

    Good pick, either he or a decent SF (Earl Clark?) would be a good fit right away.

  • http://www.triplejunearthed.com/dacre Dacre

    Russ Bengtson Posted: Jun.4 at 11:49 am
    “Suns ignore need. Take best player available. Sell to Blazers.”
    ________________________________________________
    Rudy Fernandez 2.0
    ————————————————
    Oh boy…. the empty feeling, I’m left with after seeing who was ‘mock drafted’, has left me with a ‘We picked the “other” Lopez brother’ taste in my mouth… No offense to Jru Holiday but I expected more SHAZAAM from this pick mister Bohn. Oh well… another “versatile” tweener to add to the rack….

  • http://www.triplejunearthed.com/dacre Dacre

    Tyler Hansborough for crying out loud. Drafting on potential has always been a crap shoot – If your not going to take a mature, educated, ball player that dominated at their previous level you might as well trade the pick away for someone who is going to come in and give you production. Are we speculating that Jru Holiday is going to be able to shut down sg’s or do we know…? Because he wont be defending the Chris Pauls and Tony Parker’s of the world… The Suns will come out of the gate with their run and gun style, and they’ll play their 7 1/2 man rotations, Shaq will end up sitting for sometime this season, perhaps after the allstar weekend for about 3 weeks, If Dudley becomes the next Boris Diaw I’ll be the happiest guy in town but if this turns into another SteveKerrFiasco, I’m out, Nash is out and the Suns can set….

  • http://www.triplejunearthed.com/dacre Dacre

    …They need to work out if they are going to bet the farm on this next season, or still pay their 2-4 yr window game?! Either way works just don’t half cook the thing?! Rebuild around Amare with a young PG and SF or assemble a team of grizzled vets that will put it all on the line for the next 100 games. Either way, this pick won’t make or break anything but the notion that it’s “another wasted pick” will disturb many Suns fans….
    I hope Dudley is in the gym working his guts out, Tucker, you better be working on that dribble and cardio, If Dragic comes back some defensive in-your-face eye dagger I’ll be a happy camper and if Amare starts up some Western Conference Dwight Howard ish I’ll be bagging it.
    Just draft Psycho T and move onto training camp Steve Kerr ya frig.

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  • http://phoenixsunsrising.blogspot.com Hersey

    I kinda like Ellington or Sam Young here. Hansbrough is intriguing though. They need dirty work players and he’s used to uptempo systems.

  • DARRELL GAILS

    I seriously doubt Holiday will drop to 14. This is a weak draft so teams will be more willing to take a player like Holiday higher because of his enormous potential instead of a guy like Curry or Lawson or even Earl Clark. My pick for the suns will be Chase Budinger a versatile 6’7 forward who played in there back yard at the U of A

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