Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

2018 NBA Mock Draft first round plus OKC Thunder picks

By Tamberlyn Richardson

TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's Slovenian Luka Doncic (R) celebrates with team mate Real Madrid's French forward Fabien Causeur their team's 85-80 win in the Euroleague Final Four finals basketball match between Real Madrid and Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul at The Stark Arena in Belgrade on May 20, 2018. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's Slovenian Luka Doncic (R) celebrates with team mate Real Madrid's French forward Fabien Causeur their team's 85-80 win in the Euroleague Final Four finals basketball match between Real Madrid and Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul at The Stark Arena in Belgrade on May 20, 2018. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images) /
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DeAndre Ayton
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Deandre Ayton poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

C. Arizona. Deandre Ayton. 1. player. 66.

For the first time in franchise history, the Phoenix Suns have the top pick in the NBA Draft. Already on the squad is a player on the precipice of exploding into superstardom in Devin Booker. Most NBA fans weren’t exposed much to Booker last season, but take it from me this kid is the real deal.

Speculation over who the Suns would select initially pointed toward Luka Doncic with the hiring of new Head Coach  Igor Kokoskov. This because Kokoskov coached the youngster on his National team. But Deandre Ayton was also always an option especially because of proximity. Ayton played his one college season in Arizona a stone’s throw from the Suns’ facility.

So, when arrows began to point in Ayton’s direction it wasn’t that surprising. Like Doncic, Ayton has the potential to be a generational star. He projects in this scribes opinion to be as dominant as DeMarcus Cousins.

The Scoop on Ayton:

Deandre Ayton has all the top end offensive skills to make any team salivate over his selection. For the Suns who are void of much talent, his addition will immediately improve the Suns. Reportedly Ayton has already added 12 pounds since his season ended and inches to his vertical leap. The obvious issues for Ayton will be on the defensive side of the ball, particularly defending in space. However, given his work ethic, there is room to believe he can improve.

Full prospect preview: Deandre Ayton has the skill-set to be the next generational big man

Team needs:

Free Agents:

Picks in 2018 NBA Draft:

First Round: 1st and 16th

Second Round: 31st and 59th

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