The Suns finally grab a point guard on draft night, a seemingly inevitable moment years in the making. Ricky Rubio has exceeded expectations this season, but he’s not the answer next to Devin Booker in the backcourt. Nico Mannion is one of several impressive point guards in this class.
For all the concerns about Mannion’s athleticism, his shiftiness and skill level are top-notch. He has the ball on a string, and his touch typically makes up for lackluster size and explosiveness. Add a reliable three-point shot, and Mannion has enough to score in a professional setting.
Basketball I.Q. is what stands out most for Mannion. His reads are quick, his passes are on-target, and he seldom turns the ball over. Phoenix can bring Mannion along slowly behind Rubio, but he should have the chops to contribute right away. Also, there’s the Arizona connection, which seemed to play a role in the Deandre Ayton pick a couple years back.