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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSemi Ojeleye, forward from SMU, on Suns’ workout | 0:35
Semi Ojeleye discusses the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSLuke Kornet, center from Vanderbilt, on Suns’ workout | 1:00
Luke Kornet discusses the Phoenix Suns’ workout on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKennedy Meeks, center from North Carolina, on Suns’ workout | 0:49
Kennedy Meeks discusses the Phoenix Suns’ workout on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSKobi Simmons, guard from Arizona, during the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout | 0:51
Kobi Simmons, a guard from Arizona, talks during the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout on Monday, May 29, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSVillanova’s Josh Hart at the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout | 0:41
Josh Hart, a guard from Villanova, talks about being part of the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout on Monday, May 29, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Lonzo Ball can’t blame dad for this one | 1:53
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss Lonzo Ball skipping a Celtics workout and a dark-horse pick for the Suns at No. 4.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Suns, don’t worry, take Josh Jackson | 1:59
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and JJ Hensley discuss the Suns draft as well as ‘The Bartender,’ the key reliever for the Diamondbacks.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Lottery therapy; ASU’s starting QB? | 2:02
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss the NBA lottery and the ASU football quarterback situation.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSDoug Haller and Dan Bickley recap Suns’ misfortune in NBA draft lottery | 2:28
azcentral sports’ Doug Haller and Dan Bickley discuss Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery, in which the Suns fell to the No. 4 overall pick, at Talking Stick Resort Arena. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSuns GM McDonough: ‘A little bit of disappointment’ but odds favored No. 4 | 1:33
Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough discusses the Suns earning the No. 4 overall selection in next month’s draft at the team’s NBA draft lottery party at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Tuesday. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Suns fight AZ’s bad lottery luck | 2:09
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley talk NBA lottery picks and a team that might be eyeing the Diamondbacks’ Zack Greinke.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSWhat can Suns expect with top-five pick? | 1:36
With a top-five pick and five players with star potential, the Suns are in a good place. But how has each selection shown success?
Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSDevin Booker surprises young fan with trip to NBA draft lottery | 0:59
Suns star guard Devin Booker went to Navarrete Elementary School to surprise student Noah Smith with a trip to the NBA draft lottery in New York City on Friday. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSLakers say LaVar Ball won’t influence decision on Lonzo | 0:39
LaVar Ball won’t affect whether the Lakers select his son Lonzo in the upcoming NBA draft, Lakers president Magic Johnson told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.
Time_Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSLaVar Ball’s shoe line has poor first week of sales | 1:17
Lonzo Ball’s signature shoes garnered a lot of attention when they were first released. But the sales numbers suggest the sneakers aren’t selling as well as the Big Baller Brand would like.
USA TODAY Sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSuns look to emulate Warriors, Thunder in rebuild | 1:18
As the Suns look to rebuild through the NBA draft, they are looking to Golden State and Oklahoma City as examples of how to do it right.
Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Ex-Suns player Isaiah Thomas shines | 1:50
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss how Boston Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas has become one of the best players in the NBA and who the Suns want in the NBA draft.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Is the NBA draft lottery rigged? | 1:57
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley talk about the possibility of the NBA draft lottery is rigged and an updated on Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington on Friday. Diana Payan/azcentral
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Rockets sizzle, D-Backs fizzle? | 1:49
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the Rockets’ explosion against the Spurs and a possible pitching implosion for the Diamondbacks.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNBA mock drafts: Popular picks for Phoenix Suns | 1:01
The Suns are guaranteed to have a Top 5 NBA draft pick. Here are some players they could take.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: Kevin Durant closer to a ring | 1:50
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss Kevin Durant and the Warriors as well as Zack Greinke’s start against the Padres.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSFamiliar faces: Notable former Suns in NBA playoffs | 1:02
Several former Phoenix Suns players are in the NBA playoffs.
Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSNotable Suns player salaries for 2017-18 | 1:11
Take a look at the Suns players that have guaranteed contracts for next season.
Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSSuns coach Watson wraps up season at press conference | 0:56
Suns coach Earl Watson takes questions from the press at an end-of-season gathering at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSDevin Booker: ‘I want to be a winner’ | 1:11
Suns guard Devin Booker discusses the 2016-17 season and how his team can improve throughout the offseason on Wednesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Video by Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSDoug Haller wraps up Suns’ 2016-17 season | 2:05
Doug Haller sums up interviews with Phoenix Suns management and players at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSTop 5 Devin Booker moments of 2016-17 season | 1:29
Breaking down the top five moments in Suns guard Devin Booker’s season.
Wochit
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSShot Clock: NBA MVP and surprising D-Backs | 1:49
Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley disagree on the NBA MVP and share their thoughts on the D-Backs’ hot start.
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WATCH THE LATEST SUNS AND NBA VIDEOS FROM AZCENTRAL SPORTSDevin Booker on his 70-point night | 1:40
Suns guard Devin Booker discusses his 70-point game against the Boston Celtics.
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Semi Ojeleye, forward from SMU, on Suns’ workout
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Luke Kornet, center from Vanderbilt, on Suns’ workout
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Kennedy Meeks, center from North Carolina, on Suns’ workout
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Kobi Simmons, guard from Arizona, during the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout
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Villanova’s Josh Hart at the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout
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Shot Clock: Lonzo Ball can’t blame dad for this one
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Shot Clock: Suns, don’t worry, take Josh Jackson
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Shot Clock: Lottery therapy; ASU’s starting QB?
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Doug Haller and Dan Bickley recap Suns’ misfortune in NBA draft lottery
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Suns GM McDonough: ‘A little bit of disappointment’ but odds favored No. 4
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Shot Clock: Suns fight AZ’s bad lottery luck
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What can Suns expect with top-five pick?
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Devin Booker surprises young fan with trip to NBA draft lottery
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Lakers say LaVar Ball won’t influence decision on Lonzo
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LaVar Ball’s shoe line has poor first week of sales
-
Suns look to emulate Warriors, Thunder in rebuild
-
Shot Clock: Ex-Suns player Isaiah Thomas shines
-
Shot Clock: Is the NBA draft lottery rigged?
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Shot Clock: Rockets sizzle, D-Backs fizzle?
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NBA mock drafts: Popular picks for Phoenix Suns
-
Shot Clock: Kevin Durant closer to a ring
-
Familiar faces: Notable former Suns in NBA playoffs
-
Notable Suns player salaries for 2017-18
-
Suns coach Watson wraps up season at press conference
-
Devin Booker: ‘I want to be a winner’
-
Doug Haller wraps up Suns’ 2016-17 season
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Top 5 Devin Booker moments of 2016-17 season
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Shot Clock: NBA MVP and surprising D-Backs
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Devin Booker on his 70-point night
The Suns have the fourth pick in the June 22 NBA draft. Their selection could alter the franchise or add to a youthful core already in place.
azcentral sports has highlighted eight players within the Suns’ range. This is the eighth profile in that series:
Lonzo Ball
Position: Point guard.
School: UCLA.
Year: Freshman.
Size: 6-6/190 pounds.
Age: 19.
Last season: In his only college season, Ball led quite the reversal in Westwood, taking the Bruins from 15 wins in 2015-16 to 31 last season. He averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and a nation’s best 7.6 assists. He shot 73.2 percent from 2-point range, 41.2 from 3 and 67.3 from the foul line. He was a first-team AP All-American, as well as the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
RELATED: LaVar Ball won’t affect whether Suns draft Lonzo Ball, Ryan McDonough says
Why he makes sense for the Suns: Ball is considered the best passer to enter the draft in years, on level with Jason Kidd and Magic Johnson. That kind of talent makes sense for everyone. In Phoenix, he would join a young core that includes guard Devin Booker and forwards Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss, accelerating the Suns’ rebuild. “He has an uncanny sense of knowing where everybody is,” Pac-12 Networks analyst and former NBA coach Mike Montgomery said. “His timing is incredible. He’s always anticipating who’s going to be open. I think sometimes he actually is two steps ahead of people in terms of where somebody is going to be. It makes him really, really good if people are moving.”
Why he doesn’t: It’s widely believed the Suns tanked the last several weeks to better position themselves to land Ball in the draft. It didn’t work, and with the fourth pick, the odds aren’t great that Ball will be available. He’s expected to go to the Lakers at No. 2. At this point, it’s not certain that Ball would even work out in Phoenix.
MORE: Is LaVar Ball hurting Lonzo Ball’s NBA draft stock?
Concerns: When a player excels in one area, the rest of his game is held under a microscope. Some of that is happening here. Scouts and analysts question whether Ball can create his own shot in the final seconds of the shot clock. In addition, he’s not a willing defensive player. Then there’s Ball’s dad. Although many general managers have publicly said LaVar Ball will not be a factor in their selection, others aren’t so sure. “It’s an unnecessary distraction,” an NBA source said. “I’ve been part of a parental issue and it really makes people uncomfortable. … It will be interesting to see how (Lonzo) handles it and if his game is able to translate and how his dad responds. Because if it doesn’t work, that media attention will go tenfold.”
Best comparison: You’ve heard this one for a while. Jason Kidd.
RELATED: NBA mock draft: Doug Haller’s third edition
Bust factor: Slim. “Some of the other things are going to be somewhat problematic,” ESPN college analyst Fran Fraschilla said, “but in addition to his passing, he’s good enough athletically to be an NBA starter, there’s no doubt, and potentially an NBA All-Star.”
Quote: “He’s special. Very, very special. Like every young player, there are areas where he needs to improve and he’s going to keep getting better. But as far as the guys that are in this draft, in my mind there’s none better than Lonzo. He knows how to direct a team, he’s very unselfish. He just knows how to make people better and that’s a tremendous trait.” – UCLA coach Steve Alford.
Also in this series:
–Josh Jackson
–Jayson Tatum
–Malik Monk
–De’Aaron Fox
–Jonathan Isaac
–Lauri Markkanen
–Dennis Smith Jr.
Contact Doug Haller at 602-444-4949 or at doug.haller@arizonarepublic. Follow him at Twitter.com/DougHaller.
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