What we learned from the NBA Draft Combine virtual availabilities

Multiple first-round prospects say they have spoken with Phoenix during the pre-draft process. How could they fit with the Suns?

Like everything during the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA Draft Combine experience is much different for this year’s prospects. A large, in-person event is typically held right after the May draft lottery, with physical testing, on-court workouts and interviews with team personnel. 

That has moved to a virtual setting, and a small collection of prospects participated in Zoom sessions with the media throughout the week. 

Here is a list of who has had contact with the Suns so far, and who has not. Shout out to my dude Duane Rankin from The Arizona Republic for being the primary reporter who asked each prospect this question. I was unable to be on all but one of these calls because I was working on this and this for The New York Times. 

Interviewed with/spoken to/been contacted by the Suns 
Precious Achiuwa
Desmond Bane 
R.J. Hampton 
Tre Jones 
Zeke Nnaji
Jalen Smith 
Tyrell Terry

Has not yet interviewed with/spoken to/been contacted by the Suns
Deni Avdija (who said, “I didn’t contact any team yet”)
LaMelo Ball 
Devon Dotson 
Tyrese Haliburton (who said he has only talked to three teams: New York, Detroit and Golden State)
Killian Hays 
Isaiah Joe 
Theo Maledon

Unknown 
Isaac Okoro (video not uploaded) 

It’s interesting that Haliburton and Hays, the prospects who are most likely to be selected in the No. 10-range and that play a position of need, have not yet spoken to Phoenix. But teams sometimes do not want to tip their hand on who they are interested in, especially before a public appearance where they know these prospects will be asked about it. And this drawn-out pre-draft process is different than any other year, with still more than a month to go before draft night. 

But there are some interesting prospects who say they have communicated with the Suns that are projected to go in the mid/late first round. They could be options if Phoenix chooses to trade down, though this front office has shown it is not afraid to “reach” for the player it wants. Both moves happened last year, when Phoenix traded down from No. 6 to No. 11 and then took Cam Johnson, who was projected to go outside the lottery.  

Here is a breakdown of these prospects, and how they could fit with the Suns: 

R.J. Hampton, guard, New Zealand Breakers 

Draft projection: Mid/late first round
2019-20 stats: 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists per game; 40.7/29.5/67.9 shooting splits 

Hampton might be the most interesting name on this list, given his unique path. He was rated the fifth-best recruit in the 2019 class, but went overseas to the NBL instead of playing collegiately. He believes playing against professionals “gives me a little bit an edge” over some others in the draft. 

The Suns, of course, need a reserve point/combo guard now, and perhaps an eventual Ricky Rubio successor. 

Hampton boasts great size at 6-foot-5 and 188 pounds, and the speed and athleticism that make him an explosive and creative scorer. He can play on and off the ball. He models his game after Denver’s Jamal Murray, a breakout star of this year’s playoffs, and Chicago’s Zach LaVine. 

The biggest concern about Hampton’s game is that shaky 3-point percentage on 2.9 attempts per game. He has spent the pre-draft time working on that shot with former NBA player Mike Miller, who Hampton said has helped him improve his base and ball placement for a higher release. Because of that progress, Hampton has risen on some recent mock drafts. 

Hampton has also been working with University of Memphis coach (and former Sun) Penny Hardaway on playing in the pick and roll and understanding how to read defenses. 

When asked about potentially landing with Phoenix, Hampton said Rubio is “as pure of a point guard as they come” and called Devin Booker a prolific scorer. 

“Partnering with them in the backcourt, with my athletic ability, it would definitely be something to see,” Hampton said. 

Tyrell Terry, point guard, Stanford 

Draft projection: Late first round 
2019-20 stats: 14.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists per game; 44.1/40.8/89.1 shooting splits 

Terry is slotted in the second tier of point guards available, after Ball, Haliburton and Hays and in the same grouping as Hampton, Kira Lewis Jr., Cole Anthony and Nico Mannion. It’s been quite the rise for Terry, who was lightly recruited out of high school. 

Terry is a dynamite long-range shooter and natural playmaker, taking pride in the way he thinks the game. He has drawn comparisons to Steph Curry and Trae Young because of his skill set and smaller size. Terry is officially listed at 6-foot-2 and 160 pounds, though he said he now stands 6-foot-3 in shoes. 

Terry said increasing strength and athleticism has been a priority during the pre-draft process. On the court, he has been working on changing pace with his dribble and passing the ball out of high screens. 

“I don’t think there are a lot of protypes like me — that can shoot in so many unique ways, that can play the 1 or the 2,” Terry said. “So I think that’s the way I’ve been trying to set myself apart from the rest of the point guards in this class is just having that unique play style.” 

Terry grew up in the Twin Cities, and watched Rubio play when he was with the Timberwolves.  

“Being able to learn under him would be great,” Terry said. 

Jalen Smith, big man, Maryland

Draft projection: Mid-first round 
2019-20 stats: 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.4 blocks per game; 53.8/36.8/75 shooting splits

The Suns could have significant holes in the frontcourt, depending on how free agency pans out. Aron Baynes is an unrestricted free agent, while Dario Saric is a restricted free agent and Frank Kaminsky and Cheick Diallo both have team options for 2020-21. 

Smith said he most takes pride in his defensive versatility. He has the frame at 6-foot-10 and 225 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, but also the engine and basketball IQ to properly time his blocks and rebounds. 

That 3-point shooting percentage, which greatly improved from his freshman to sophomore season, is also something the Suns value in big men. 

When asked about Phoenix, Smith complimented the coaching staff that “really, truly cares about their players.” 

“I see a great young team that can be deadly in the future,” he said.  

Precious Achiuwa, big man, Memphis 

Draft projection: Mid/late first round 
2019-20 stats: 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks 1.1 steals per game 

Achiuwa is one of the best defensive prospects in this class. His blend of athleticism and motor help him protect the rim and switch 1 through 5. 

“Just watching the (NBA) games and seeing how much they’re picking on the weakest link on defense,” he said, “I believe that’s one of my strengths and that’s something I can bring to the table right away.” 

But some view Achiuwa as a “tweener.” At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, he is too small to be a full-time center but not skilled enough offensively to be a full-time power forward.  

There are concerns about his jumper mechanics, and that he committed 2.8 turnovers a game as a big man. Right now, he is best as finisher in the pick and roll. 

Desmond Bane, wing, TCU 

Draft projection: Late first/early second round  
2019-20 stats: 16.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists per game; 45.2/44.2/78.9 shooting splits 

Bane said he had a long conversation with Suns general manager James Jones during the pre-draft process and added “I love the idea of Phoenix.” Bane, after all, fits the player mold that Jones likes. 

Bane has recently risen up draft boards, following four years of steady development at TCU. He was not rated by any major recruiting service coming out of a small high school with a graduating class of about 20, he said. 

But his role increased every college season, creating a versatile skill set to score, rebound and distribute. Though he is not a premier athlete, his toughness and basketball IQ serve him on both ends of the floor. 

“You throw me out there and tell me something to do,” Bane said, “and I’m gonna figure out a way to get it done efficiently.” 

Another Suns connection: Bane has the same agent as Cam Johnson. 

Tre Jones, point guard, Duke 

Draft projection: Late first round/early second round 
2019-20 stats: 16.2 points, 6.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds per game; 42.3/36.1/77.1 shooting splits 

Jones, the younger brother of Memphis guard Tyus Jones, was the ACC Player and Defensive Player of the Year. 

He has been praised for his defense both on the ball and while playing in a team scheme. Though Jones held more offensive responsibility as a sophomore after the departures of 2019 top-10 draft picks Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish, he is more proven as a playmaker than as a shooter and finisher. 

Older brother Tyus played with Rubio in Minnesota, while Tre lived in the area during high school. Tre lauded the way Rubio keeps his dribble alive while reading the defense and uses screens. He also called Rubio a “crafty” defender, jumping into passing lanes to nab steals and deflections. 

“Being able to learn from him would be amazing, really,” Jones said. 

Zeke Nnaji, big man, Arizona 

Draft projection: Second round
2019-20 stats: 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 0.9 blocks per game; 57/29.4/76 shooting splits 

The Suns do not currently have a second-round pick, which was traded to the Grizzlies last summer as part of the Josh Jackson deal. But Phoenix could presumably trade back into the second round fairly easily if there was a prospect it wanted to select. 

Nnaji said he has already spoken to 22 teams. And it makes sense the Suns would touch base with the local prospects. Nnaji, though, said he has not connected much with Deandre Ayton, a fellow former Arizona big man. 

Nnaji is regarded as a strong finisher at the rim, but needs to improve defensively. Former Wildcat teammates Mannion and Josh Green are expected to go higher in the draft.