Round 1 - Pick 2 - Phoenix Suns

[thecoolestjedi]

The Phoenix Suns select PG Cade Cunningham out of Oklahoma State University.



Cade Cunningham|21| PG 6'7 |220| Oklahoma State

Strengths:
+ Amazing Rebounder for a Point Guard
+ Has all the tools to be a top tier playmaker
+ Will be a good defender
+ Will get to the free throw line
+ Should be a triple Double regular club visitor

Weaknesses:
- IQ is a major detriment
- Too reliant on Free Throw scoring
- Incredibly raw to a point it may take a few years to start


The Phoenix Suns were reached for comment on the pick and the front office was elated to score Cade. Many within the building see him as a building block for a bright future with the Suns. Many were impressed with his skills on the court, but also his leadership off the court and see him as a face of the franchise type of player here in the valley. One of the many things thrown out in the office about Cade is his ability to work on both ends of the floor and do so without tiring out and not having his motor completely cut. With Cade being picked; it seems to be that Tatum is on his way out of the Valley and will be traded within the next few days unless Phoenix wishes for a unhappy max star.


Cade was caught up to about being picked and had the following to say; "I'm thrilled to be here in the valley, but really shocked I got picked here. A friend of mines said that he thought I'd be in the 10-12 range, so I expected to be awaiting. Still to have this dream come true for me; all glory to god. I want to bring success back to this place and hope I can lock in with Tatum and company and get to work."

[blackice]

@Andrei

[TheTwoWallaces]

Ah interesting. He was on my shortlist at #5 but I was leaning against it due to his inefficiency and low IQ. Nonetheless, he could be an excellent combo guard with his passing/handling and his ability to draw fouls. The elite defensive rebounding is a nice plus

As an NBA Pistons fan, hope he works out!

[GreenBear]

I was not expecting Cade here, but I'm a big fan. He's a huge advantage on defensive rebounding, very good ATB shot with usage, excellent drfl, solid pas/hdl, and a plus defender

[hardenwithnod]

Yeah, I wasn’t expecting him here either. I was thinking about him at 6 and maybe convert him into a SF.

[andrei]

Cade has that amazing all-around game. He is a ball-dominant player with phenomenal rebounding for a guard. His defense is also really good. What I really like about him is that ability to get to the line. I personally experienced the likes of Thybulle absolutely bully us as a drawing fouls monster on the perimeter - Cade is very similar from that perspective. From efficiency standpoint he is quite raw but there is potential for good inside and outside shooting game. We are probably looking at a player with a legit 20+/5+/5+ potential.

[KW]

Definitely a left-field pick in my opinion but there is a lot to like here. He could become an excellent scorer, quality playmaker, rebounder, and defend, and possesses amazing size for a guard. He checks every single box. But he is pretty far away from all of those things at the moment. I don't think the ceiling is the highest of the players that are left to justify the risk at #2, but a +10 would change everything for him if he's lucky enough to get one.

[Flaming Homer]

Interesting pick, I had him going later too but hope he will work out like Garland did.
Phoenix will be an interesting young team.

[Marcos_Beck]

Thought he would go later, there was a player I really liked to Suns.

Cade is solid, probably overdrafted though.

[cb4raptorscb4]

If he's a 20/5/5 player than he's solid. #11 in KWs mock, so this pick surprises me but I haven't done the best homework on the top of this class.

[bt]

I wasn't expecting this and expected our pick to be a straightforward decision but now both are still on the board and we have to decide which way we go.

[wms02a]

I wasn't expecting this and expected our pick to be a straightforward decision but now both are still on the board and we have to decide which way we go.

if it is too hard to decide just forfeit the pick or trade to me

[Andrewu91]

Don't know much as I didn't scout but 20-5-5 on good efficiency is solid for #2 pick

[thecoolestjedi]

I expected way more of a firestorm here with this post, this is pretty tame lol. But I’d say in my defense of this picks and the surprise(sorry mock guys). I’d say the biggest issue with the team was PG play and it’s something that in this game engine can ruin your team if you don’t have it and we didn’t have it, so it ruled out a Certain a center who I would’ve picked. I see Garland as both expendable down the line and as a SG than a point guy, so I need to help my backcourt. In this rebuild I want a backcourt set for years and so it was Suggs or Cunningham, Suggs can defend anyone and looks set to win DPOTY awards forever. But Cade is a 6’7 playmaker, rebounder, scorer, free throw merchant, rebounder and defender in one package and if he can just hit that ability; just one good hit in this game; I think he could be amazing and really change my fortunes, it doesn’t hurt I’m a huge fan in real life and wish my bulls tanked to grab him. But still think he fits my need and will be great here with patience which I can afford

[rh0xxy]

Pretty solid pick but yeah not the BPA here. He might still be available top 8 or 10. As per my only scout as well lol, he looked good potentially and a starting PG caliber most likely. He could become one of the best def rebounding PG in due time.

[Ramcus]

Prolly an over pick here, but can't be too disappointed at the player. Cunningham is going to be a borderline all-star for his entire career. I prolly would've swung a bit more for the fences if I had the #2 pick, but I can't say that he'll be a bad player at all.