National Basketball Association

Suns should have 'big' options at No. 13

Published Apr. 29, 2015 3:35 p.m. ET

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With a microscopic chance to move into the top three when the NBA Draft Lottery show is unleashed, let's just go ahead and expect the Suns to be sitting at pick No. 13 in late June.

In that range -- and considering the current state of the Phoenix roster -- the best-player-available philosophy certainly is prudent. This method is abetted somewhat by a lack of point-guard candidates currently wafting near late-lottery consideration.

With team executives listing size among the many areas for off-season upgrade, let's look at a half-dozen larger draft candidates who could be under scrutiny.

TREY LYLES, Freshman, PF, Kentucky

In talking to a couple personnel executives with picks in the latter half of the first round, Lyles is the kid they expect to move up -- fueled by pre-draft workout potential -- and out of their range. And they're not happy about it.

This is a skilled prospect who benefitted by battling with and against elite defenders every day in practice. At 6-foot-10 and a solid 240 pounds, Lyles -- who's Canadian and played at Arsenal Tech High in Indianapolis -- worked mostly at small forward in his only season at UK.

Trey Lyles

Based on the Wildcats' commitment to sharing minutes and the ball, his numbers weren't memorable (8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds). And even though he has nice shot mechanics from the perimeter off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations, Lyles converted just 37 percent of his jumpers, including 4 of 29 from behind the 3-point line.

As a skilled, agile big with average lift, he'll get better from distance -- now that making shots will be part of his job description (see Channing Frye, Paul Millsap) -- while still using his frame to score inside and rebound.

Lyles made 59.5 percent of his attempts inside the paint (true, often muscling college small forwards) and his 7-3 wingspan didn't hurt in gathering 3.2 offensive rebound per 40 minutes.

Despite the long arms, he's not a rim protector (16 blocks), but part of that number was somewhat limited by playing away from the basket while even bigger Kentucky teammates patrolled the lane.

FRANK KAMINSKY, Senior, PF-C, Wisconsin

A crusty 22 years old, the college player of the year certainly hasn't made the final turn on his development curve.

Frank Kaminsky

At 7-feet and (for now) 240 pounds, "The Tank" isn't a defense-and-rebounding beast. But he can score at all three levels and has nice lateral movement, making him a solid candidate for minutes at power forward or duty in the middle during small-ball alignments.

Kaminsky, who didn't play much during his first two seasons as a Badger, knocked in 42 percent of his 3s as a senior. According to NBADraftexpress.com, that's the greatest accuracy they've ever recorded for a 7-footer with at least 100 attempts.

This 3-point gun works in concert with a deadly shot fake Kaminsky typically uses to set up a crossover step and drive to the basket ... usually going left.

Although he can be bothered by opponents with length and bounce, Kaminsky can stay on the floor as a professional by making smart, timely defensive rotations and sound decisions with the ball.

WILLIE CAULEY-STEIN, Junior, C, Kentucky

Projected to be selected a few spots before the Suns are up, Cauley-Stein -- a 7-foot, 245-pound run-jump athlete with elite defensive potential -- could slide a bit when younger, more-skilled prospects generate buzz during workouts.

Willie Cauley-Stein

A football receiver/defensive back in high school, Willie can block shots (1.7 per game in 25.9 minutes), stay in front of smaller players on defensive switches and play low enough to reroute guards as a pick-and-roll defender.

His offense (eight points per game) was limited to lobs, put-backs and an improving jump hook. Cauley-Stein added some reasonable footwork to his post moves, but isn't much of a threat facing the basket for jumpers or free throws (61.7 percent).

But he plays hard and will thrive at the defensive end -- on or off the ball -- as his offensive skills increase.

MYLES TURNER, Freshman, PF-C, Texas

One of the most heralded prospects from the high school class of 2014, Turner was expected to go much higher than now anticipated when he enrolled at Texas.

He averaged 10 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 22 minutes per game for the Longhorns, demonstrating considerable potential as a two-way player.

Myles Turner

Known as an eventual pick-and-pop candidate coming out of high school, Turner shot 27.4 percent from behind the arc; he has a pretty efficient, high release and probably will become more consistent as a pro. Turner (6-11, 245) didn't spend much time rolling hard to the rim, but doesn't mind posting up for his favored turn-around jumper.

The shot-block numbers suggest a bright future protecting the rim, but Turner has some issues in transition and helping in pick-and-roll situations. He's not a fluid runner and plays high, limiting his impact moving laterally to slow down ball handlers coming off of screens.

His potential as a perimeter shooter will make Turner attractive as a power forward commodity, but -- as his career evolves -- mobility issues may keep him more in the middle.

BOBBY PORTIS, Sophomore, PF, Arkansas

Portis, the SEC Player of the Year, isn't the most explosive athlete on this list, but mitigates some of those concerns by playing with passion.

Bobby Portis

At 6-10 and 240 pounds, he's more of a position defender and does a nice job anticipating and rotating early to the proper spot. He's long (7-1 wingspan) enough to bother shots and can finish defensive possessions by holding position and tracking rebounds (nine per game).

Offensively diverse, Portis is an excellent jump shooter, knocking in 47 percent of his attempts from 17 feet out to the 3-point line. His 17.5 points-per-game average was abetted by the ability to use strength and positioning to score on the post. Portis isn't particularly clever in his post-up footwork, but has a counter for a go-to, drop-step move and holds his position well.

The lack of elite explosiveness could keep him in late-lottery range, but skill and hard work should turn Portis into a solid pro.

MONTREZL HARRELL, Junior, PF, Louisville

Harrell is this year's candidate for frequent comparisons to Kenneth Faried. And here's another one:

Montrezl Harrell

Although he's listed at 6-8, Harrell was measured at a tick under 6-6 at the Under-19 tryouts for Team USA in 2013. Perhaps he's grown a bit. But he does have a 7-3 wingspan, considerable strength at 240 pounds, great aggression and impressive ups.

Harrell is excellent in transition, runs for days, finishes plays at the rim with authority and can use a shot fake to beat defenders with his quickness.

That shot fake shouldn't work as well in the analytics-happy NBA, however, because Harrell isn't a much of a shooter right now. Nor does he have a tricky array of moves on the block. His 15.7 scoring average simply was forged through hard work.

He's a fierce customer on both ends, too. Harrell's desire to compete can produce overplay issues in pick-and-roll defense or rotational close-outs, but he'll bring physical toughness to the team that selects him.

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