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Deandre Ayton going first overall is the worst kept secret in the NBA

By Branden Wyss

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats runs back on defense during a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the UCLA Bruins at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 78-67 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats runs back on defense during a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the UCLA Bruins at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 78-67 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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With the likely drafting of Deandre Ayton, a young core of Booker, Jackson, Ayton, and Dragan Bender / Marquese Chriss gives Suns fans real hope for the future. The rest is all up to chemistry and building up our team.

Deandre Ayton finally got his chance to showcase his skills to the Phoenix Suns and made the most of the opportunity.

“I know I’m going number one,” Ayton said when asked about whether or not he would take workouts for other teams.

This is a bold statement, as it has been reported that he was not given a guarantee of being taken first overall.

But the Suns clearly gave off the vibe they were going to take him.

Ayton’s workout was described as being ‘phenomenal’ and for all the right reasons. The Suns have gotten plenty of time to scout him, especially with him living in Arizona a good portion of his life. The chance to see him in a personal workout most likely only solidified their suspicion that he could be a franchise center.

Plus, McDonough probably realizes his job is on the line with this pick. If he picks Ayton, the player a majority of Suns fans want him to take and he busts, it won’t be looked down upon. No one still gives the Trail Blazers grief for drafting Greg Oden because he was looked upon as a franchise center and the best talent at the time, even though Kevin Durant was taken subsequently afterwards.

However, if the Suns end up taking someone such as Doncic and he busts, resentment will flow through the Suns organization as fans will clamor about a poorly run organization that makes bad draft decisions.

Ryan McDonough can’t afford to mess this pick up.

You don’t pass up a gifted 7’ center with incredible footwork and outside shooting. He also has a reported 42” vertical as well which only improves his chances of becoming an elite rim protector in the future. It is extremely likely he enters the locker room as an automatic 20-10 role player with the potential to add more to his defensive potential.

The Phoenix Suns will likely hold on to the first overall pick in the draft and select the man you see before you. The only question now is, what will the Suns do with the 16th, 31st, and 59th overall selections.

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