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Suns Reportedly Targeting DeAndre Ayton With No. 1 Pick

DeAndre Ayton, NBA, Arizona Wildcats
Mar 15, 2018; Boise, ID, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) shoots in the second half against the Buffalo Bulls during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Taco Bell Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

There is no question which NBA prospect was most impressive in the NCAA ranks this past season: it was DeAndre Ayton, Arizona’s heralded freshman center. Of late, however, some have suggested the 19-year-old Slovenian sensation, Luca Doncic, should go No. 1 in June’s NBA Draft.

Don’t count on it. Per a new report from Bleacher Report, all signs indicate the Phoenix Suns are targeting Ayton with the top pick.

This is a bit of a surprise, considering how quickly Doncic’s stock has risen. Furthermore, some have suggested Ayton’s style of play is outdated and will not be functional in the modern NBA.

FOX Sports’ most recent mock draft had Ayton falling all the way to No. 3, with Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr. skyrocketing up the charts.

For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski — who is quite plugged in around the league — sees Ayton going No. 1.

NBA Draft

The Suns, as expected, won the draft lottery to claim the No. 1 pick. The Sacramento Kings will pick second, with the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks rounding out the top five.

The draft will commence after the NBA Finals, on Thursday, June 21, at 7 p.m. EST.

Written by Aaron Mansfield

Aaron Mansfield is a freelance sports writer. His work has appeared in Complex, USA Today and the New York Times. Mansfield is a PhD candidate at UMass Amherst.

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