Phoenix Suns: 2020 NBA Draft Preview

Maybe it wasn’t apparent before the Phoenix Suns were invited to the NBA bubble in Orlando and went undefeated (8-0) in the seeding games but the Suns are an up-and-coming team that will be a force to be reckoned with out West. With the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, only expect Phoenix to get better this offseason as they try to earn a postseason berth in 2020-21.

Led by two strong scorers in Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, the Suns’ trade for Kelly Oubre (who averaged 18.7 points per game with Phoenix) was the icing on the cake offensively. Now it’s time for Phoenix to focus on improving their defense, as they need stout defenders in both the backcourt and frontcourt.

Related: Full Phoenix Suns 2020 Salary Cap Table

2020 NBA Draft Picks

No. 10 overall

Suns Draft Needs

As of today, the Suns are basically all offense and no defense.

That’s fine for franchises that don’t mind fielding middling teams or having to scratch and claw their way into the playoffs. Yet, it’s difficult to believe that a team that has three-time NBA champion James Jones as it’s general manager and Jerry Colangelo as a managing partner would align themselves with an organization that’s satisfied with being average, let alone mediocre.

With just one pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and a lottery pick at that, Phoenix has to continue drafting well. After drafting defensive standouts Mikal Bridges with the 10th overall pick in 2018 and Cameron Johnson with the 11th overall pick in 2019, the Suns need to address their defensive presence in the backcourt.

2020 NBA Draft Prospect Watchlist

No. 10 overall
PG Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa St.
F-C Onyeka Okongwu, USC
F-C Precious Achiuwa, Memphis
PG Killian Hayes, Ratiopharm
G R.J. Hampton, New Zealand

What The Mocks Are Saying

The RingerKira Lewis Jr. (No. 10)
The AthleticKillian Hayes (No. 10)
USA TODAY SportsDevin Vassell (No. 10)
CBS SportsDevin Vassell (No. 10)
The ScoreCole Anthony (No. 10)

Projected Roster

PGRicky Rubio
PGTy Jerome
PGJalen Lecque
SGDevin Booker
SFKelly Oubre Jr.
SFMikal Bridges
FCameron Johnson
F-CDeandre Ayton

Team-by-Team NBA Draft Guides

AtlanticCentralSoutheast
BostonChicagoAtlanta
BrooklynClevelandCharlotte
New YorkDetroitMiami
PhiladelphiaIndianaOrlando
TorontoMilwaukeeWashington
NorthwestPacificSouthwest
DenverGolden StateDallas
MinnesotaLA ClippersMemphis
Oklahoma LA LakersNew Orleans
PortlandPhoenixHouston
UtahSacramentoSan Antonio

More: SLAM’s 2020 NBA Draft Preview