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Making the Case for Each Draft-Day Need

The Suns are as fortunate as any non-playoff team can be. They have three first-round picks, including three in the top 28 selections. Phoenix hasn't had that kind of draft wealth since 1988, when they also held three picks in that same range. One of them (Dan Majerle) wound up being an All-Star, fan favorite and Ring of Honor member. Two others (Tim Perry and Andrew Lang) grew with the team before being dealt for a superstar (Charles Barkley).

Just as that long-ago draft did, the current Suns hope this summer will serve as a springboard to better days. Per General Manager Ryan McDonough, there will be no desperate attempt to match a specific pick with a specific need. The most talented player available will be the one Phoenix selects, regardless of position.

Who that is won't be decided until June 23, but there is a case to be made for any position Phoenix addresses via the draft:

POINT GUARD

What looked like the Suns' deepest position in November was, by January, their most decimated. All three Suns point guards — Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Ronnie Price — were injured, leaving Devin Booker and Archie Goodwin the job of learning how to run an offense on the fly.

After that harsh lesson, no one could fault Phoenix for spending a draft pick to shore up the backcourt. Price is a free agent, though he has expressed interest in returning. Phoenix could decide to groom a young backup to learn from the 33-year-old veteran, to whom Bledsoe and Knight have given a lot of credit for honing their own skills.

SHOOTING GUARD

Devin Booker came into his own far sooner than expected, and he will be a big part of the Suns' short and long-term plans moving forward. Archie Goodwin, meanwhile, enjoyed a career year. Incredibly, neither of them is yet 22 years old.

Their size and versatility could allow the Suns to be flexible come draft day. Booker proved to be an able enough passer to play spot point guard duty, while his height (6-6) and increasing strength could be enough to hold his own against bigger perimeter players.

All of that shifting could open up an opportunity for another shooter. Booker has a natural touch from beyond the arc, but defenses caught on quickly and limited him to 34.3 percent shooting from deep. With Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight healthy and ready to attack the basket next season, surrounding them with additional marksmen wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

SMALL FORWARD

PJ Tucker is entering the final year of his contract, while T.J. Warren is coming off foot surgery that cut his second NBA season in half. Assuming both are healthy, this is not a position of dire need, but Tucker and Warren also are versatile enough to make room here.

The Suns' veteran starter, Tucker has proven especially effective as a small ball power forward, more than able to hold his own on the glass while providing an extra dash of shooting. Warren, meanwhile, has a nose of his own for rebounds and should have more bulk added to his 6-8 frame.

Extra outside shooting could be an option here, or another athlete to run the floor with Bledsoe, Knight and company.

POWER FORWARD

After the midseason trade of Markieff Morris and the upcoming free agency of Mirza Teletovic and Jon Leuer, this is the most glaring position of need. McDonough affirmed that Phoenix will address this spot through the draft and/or free agency.

The Suns' general manager confirmed that there is considerable interest in bringing Teletovic back. Even pencilling him in, that leaves the Suns lacking a more physical brand of power forward. Someone with height and rebounding would serve well here, though today's pace-and-space game could allow Phoenix to go small as well.

CENTER

Due to injuries and trades, Tyson Chandler and Alex Len found themselves playing heavy minutes together late in the season. While Head Coach Earl Watson said that would not happen as frequently moving forward, investing in another young big man is never a bad thing.

Chandler missed 16 games last season, while Len is coming off his first campaign with over 70 games played. Improvement from Len and restored health for Chandler should be expected for next season, but Phoenix learned from his rash of injuries in the backcourt that anything can happen.