With the first pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns drafted Deandre Ayton, a move that received loads of praise at the time.
In hindsight, however, Phoenix missed the opportunity to pick up Luka Doncic and Trae Young, who landed just a couple of spots behind. While many see it as a great mistake by the Suns, there was a particular line of thinking that went into making that pick.
In an interview with Basketball Network, former Suns scout Antonio Williams revealed the inside scoop.
“With Deandre, one of the things was, you look at the things that he does…at his size when you combine the athleticism and the dexterity and the agility there are just things he can just roll out of bed and do. Of course, we knew Luka and Trae Young were going to be great, but when we’re looking at Deandre again, there are just things that we felt he inherently can just roll out of bed and do that we didn’t have on our roster.”
Why the Suns drafted Deandre Ayton ahead of Luka Doncic and Trae Young (38:20):
So, it seems like the team was drafting based on their needs — which is a decent move for a squad who already knows who their superstar is.
While picking Luka or even Young might have been a better choice, it’s not like the team is falling short right now. With Book, Ayton, and CP3, they have emerged as a leading contender in the West, boasting a 24-11 record through the first 35 games.
Love them or hate them, they have to be doing something right.
