Suns blasted for NBA draft showing — but are the critics too harsh?
The Phoenix Suns were one of those NBA teams going into the draft that was a question mark. There were plenty of players that the Suns were linked to with the team’s sole No. 30 pick.
The Suns are in a tricky place, too, because they’re not in need of a full rebuild, but changes have to be made. The team made it to the playoffs last season but was swept in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder. How embarrassing, right?
Now, the Suns are getting blasted for their NBA draft selection. Ben Golliver of ESPN gives the team a D grade for their pick. The Suns selected Koa Peat at No. 30, and Golliver isn’t feeling it.
“Peat left Arizona after a solid freshman season, but there’s a strong case to be made that he should have returned to college for more seasoning,” he states in the piece. “The 6-8 forward looked overwhelmed against Michigan’s front line of lottery picks in the Final Four, shooting just 6-of-18 from the field in a blowout loss. Questions about Peat’s undersized frame, shot selection and defensive versatility will follow him to the NBA.”
My Take: Did the Suns Strike Out With Koa Peat Draft Pick?
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So, did the Suns make a blunder with their pick of Peat? Golliver paints a dark picture, but it’s not over yet. There are some positives to the Suns going with this pick.
Peat will get some solid playing time with the Suns, based on their current needs and where he fits. That means he’ll develop quicker. The learning curve of going from college to the NBA will be shorter.
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But, yes, Peat is one of those players who could have benefited from an extra year in college to develop. The positive thing is that he’s talented and can develop in the NBA with the Suns. He just may not be able to hit the ground running.
