NBA Draft 2020: 10 biggest overall takeaways from draft

Back-to-back years with surprising lottery picks for Suns

Last year in the NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns made an interesting pick at No. 10, selecting North Carolina wing Cameron Johnson. He averaged 8.8 ppg in 22 mpg as a rooking, mainly coming off the bench.

This year, the franchise decided that they wanted to make it two years in a row with what would be considered a “head-scratching” draft pick in Jalen Smith. The 6’10 forward All-Big Ten forward at Maryland was a quality two-way player, with high potential as a floor-spacing power forward or center. His draft stock has been rising, starting out in the early-second round range to being projected in the ladder half of the first round?

But all the way up to No. 10?

There’s no question that this is a major reach. Even more than Boston taking Payton Pritchard at No. 26. But you have to take into account the consensus view on the positions of the projected first-round picks. After James Wiseman, Obi Toppin, Onyeka Okongwu, and Patrick Williams, it was unclear when and where the next frontcourt player was going to be taken.

And with there not being any trades occurring within the lottery, the Suns were going to have to reach for Smith before someone else did.

Phoenix already made their big move, trading for star point guard Chris Paul to pair with Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. A big need was landing a big man with defensive and rebounding ability that can play the center spot and allow Ayton to play and thrive at power forward. If Smith can do that, then any offense he provides will be a boost to the franchise. It may not have fit in most mocks but the Suns still should be happy with their selection.