Phoenix is at an interesting crossroads. The Steve Nash era is coming to an end and they see the need to bring in a true backup point guard. But the Suns still have a relatively healthy and springy Nash who looks like he could be like Jason Kidd, playing well into his 30s. As much as the Suns want to start grooming the next Nash, they also might want to be winning now.
That leaves the Suns with a quandary at 13. Do you draft for the future or do you draft for the now?
Hard to tell where Phoenix is right now. Depending on who is available at this pick could determine where the Suns go. You might want to take the best available player.
At this point, I would say that is Alec Burks.
Burks was a 20-point per game scorer in his two years at Colorado and one of the best scorers in the nation this past year. He might have the best ability to get to the basket of just about anybody in the draft. He has a 56.4 free throw rate and that is something he will do for Phoenix. If he can handle the ball and defend at the NBA level, he should be able to score.
The shooting will come later. And there are plenty of shooters on the Suns who can help him learn. Burks is the kind of slasher that can balance the floor better for the Suns and get open for a guy like Nash to find. That is a good thing for the Suns to have.
Burks is not a perfect fit, he is a horrible — 29.2 percent shooting bad — 3-point shooter. But who else would they go with here?
Bismack Biyombo would be a nice defensive presence in the middle, but you have Marcin Gortat and Robin Lopez to help out on that front. Tristan Thompson is more of an athletic four in the Hakim Warrick mold, and the Suns always seem too high on those type of players and they never pan out.
Again, I think the Suns can slowly help Burks improve his shooting. But the most important thing is Burks is going to be able to contribute something immediately and help get Phoenix back into the playoff hunt. That is what Phoenix is looking for in this pick.
I think Burks is the best available, and the Suns will be happy to have another guy who can score one on one.
Photo via DayLife.com.
