The Phoenix Suns are one of a handful of teams with a reasonably good chance of landing the top overall pick in the NBA Draft lottery, and it’s widely assumed that whoever does land that pick will immediately make Zion Williamson a franchise cornerstone. There is one team, however, that may ultimately be tempted to put a different name at the top of their draft board.
According to Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, NBA sources believe the Suns would ultimately prefer to land Murray State guard Ja Morant instead of Williamson. New general manager James Jones is thought to be a fan of Morant, and the team has a clear need at point guard.
Vecenie is skeptical that the Suns would take Morant over Williamson if they land the first overall pick, which they have a 14 percent chance of landing. It’s reason to believe, however, that they might not be crushed if they wind up at No. 2. Any lower than that and it seems possible, if not likely, that Morant’s name will be called before Phoenix can make its selection.
Recall that the Suns had trade interest in another young point guard earlier this season. It’s obviously a position of need for them, and if the lottery is kind to them, Morant would certainly fit the bill.
