2019 NBA Draft: 5 biggest losers from the chaotic event

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: NBA Prospect Bol Bol looks on before the start of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 15: Cameron Johnson #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a three pointer against the Duke Blue Devils during their game in the semifinals of the 2019 Men’s ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 15, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

1. Phoenix Suns

This list is not supposed to be in order, but I think everyone can agree that the Phoenix Suns did the best job of butchering draft night. It all started about an hour before the draft, when the Suns dealt the sixth overall pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for the 11th-overall pick and Dario Saric. The Suns had perhaps the biggest need for a point guard out of any team in the top-10 and would have been in prime position to draft Coby White. Apparently, Saric and the eleventh pick took precedence here.

What made that deal even worse was what the Suns decided to do with the 11th pick. They drafted North Carolina senior Cameron Johnson. When you think about it, the Suns could have had any of the three UNC players in the first round. Instead, they picked easily the lesser of the three, overdrafting Johnson by at least ten spots.

Is Johnson a good player? Absolutely. Will he be a good pro? Probably. Was he worthy of the 11th-overall pick? Not a chance.

Johnson will turn 24-years-old before the season starts. He is older than the Suns’ superstar Devin Booker. If that doesn’t scream low ceiling, I have no idea what does. The Suns weren’t done dealing after that. They traded their 2020 first-round pick (via the Milwaukee Bucks), for Aron Baynes and the 24th-overall pick. Baynes is a solid addition and should provide depth at the center position.

The Suns then finally addressed their point guard need, picking Virginia guard Ty Jerome. Personally, I really like Jerome. Just not in Phoenix. The Suns needed an explosive player, someone that would be a good add off the bench. Instead, they picked a “glue-guy” in Jerome, passing up Carsen Edwards for Jerome. All-in-all, this was a horrible draft for the Suns. They had a poorly drawn-out plan and they leave the draft with a pair of low-ceiling players.

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