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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Updated Top 14 after the Lottery

By Maxwell Ogden

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: General Manager, Scott Perry represents the New York Knicks during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: General Manager, Scott Perry represents the New York Knicks during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats handles the ball against the USC Trojans during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats handles the ball against the USC Trojans during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) /

66. . Center. Arizona Wildcats. Deandre Ayton. 1. player

Age: 19 (7/23/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 250 pounds, 7’5″
Slash Line: .612/.343/.733
Season Averages: 33.5 MPG, 20.1 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 3.4 ORPG, 1.6 APG, 1.9 BPG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 3PM

The Phoenix Suns recently hired Igor Kokoškov to fill the vacancy at head coach. In addition to boasting a decade of experience as an NBA assistant coach, Kokoškov was the head coach of the Slovenia men’s national team that won the gold medal at EuroBasket 2017 in Turkey.

One of the stars of Slovenia’s run to the improbable gold medal was Luka Doncic, but that doesn’t mean the Suns are going to make that obvious selection.

Kokoškov was an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns when Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire were wreaking havoc. He was also an assistant coach for Utah Jazz teams that wholeheartedly embraced the importance of big men who can protect the paint and provide value offensively.

While closer to the Stoudemire mold than that of Rudy Gobert, Deandre Ayton would be the perfect selection for Kokoškov as he attempts to rebuild the Suns.

Ayton is a physically dominant player with a modern offensive game and a powerful presence on the boards. He can team with Devin Booker to create the high-low balance that works in every era, and would work well with Elfrid Payton if the goal is to establish the pick and roll.

Ayton is the best pure talent in the 2018 NBA Draft and a perfect fit for a Suns team that desperately needs to achieve stability at the center position.

Knicks Note: The New York Knicks would love to get Deandre Ayton, but the odds of him sliding to No. 9 are astronomical.

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