Shmackem: Who ya got? NBA Draft special

University of Arizona freshman Deandre Ayton became a Phoenix Sun when the team used the first pick in this year’s NBA draft on the center, who played high school basketball in Phoenix. Ayton and Bagley are the tallest tandem of one-two picks since 2006. Taking Michigan State forward Jaren Jackson Jr. with the No. 4 overall pick was confusing, considering they already have former Spartan star Deyonta Davis, who is essentially the same player.

Shortly after the Suns took Deandre Ayton to start the National Basketball Association draft Thursday night, the Mavericks traded up two spots for the rights to Luka Doncic.

The 19-year-old lacks professional experience, but Altman pointed out that James dealt with that issue this season.

Prior to the draft, Ayton’s defense was questioned after the Bahamian-born 7-foot-1 forward averaged 20.1 points per game at Arizona.

At #1, they snagged a potential franchise center in Arizona’s Deandre Ayton.

Ayton said he wants to be the “best two-way (big) man coming in”.

“That is very exciting, I am very excited they picked a local guy to remain local”, shared a local Phoenix Suns fan.

With one deadline looming on his future in Cleveland, LeBron James has been in contact with the Cavaliers through his representatives.

“LeBron, let’s do it,”Sexton pitched when given a chance on ESPN’s national telecast of the draft”. After I got traded, I was waiting to see him. A huge cheer went up from the several thousand fans at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Thursday night for the draft party.

Bridges’ mother works with the 76ers’ HR.

Newly hired Suns coach Igor Kokoškov will have some good pieces in his first season in Phoenix, and will rely on Sean Miller a bit too, in how to coach Ayton.

The Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers swapped spots at Nos. Outside of a trade in the top five and the (relatively expected, by the time Suns went on the clock) fall of Michael Porter Jr., there wasn’t anything particularly wild about the evening.

Sidelined nearly all of last season due to a back injury, Porter insisted the Nuggets will not regret making the selection.

“You probably have to ask the other teams to be honest”, Webster said of how discussions about acquiring a pick went.

While it’s hard to gauge just how effective he will be in his rookie season, I can’t help but think a Rookie of the Year Award is at least possible should Ayton continue to dominate the game the way he has shown! “I’m a victor, and I’m going to help this team win”.

Minnesota wrapped up the top 20 with the selection of Georgia Tech shooting guard Josh Okogie. Dallas needed a point guard, and neither Smith nor Doncic are really suited for that role. And, while Bagley is still an fantastic talent, the pick just seems like more of the same for the Kings, who have a glut of bigs – Willie-Cauley Stein, Harry Giles III, Skal Labissiere, Kostas Koufos – on the roster and a distinct lack of high-quality guard or wing depth.

Speaking of brothers, Kostas Antetokounmpo of Dayton, brother of Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, was the 60th and final pick by Philadelphia.