The Phoenix Suns might have zeroed in on the player they are targeting with the No. 22 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, according to a report.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In his recent aggregate 2024 NBA Mock Draft, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto had the Suns picking an experienced point guard based on intel from rival NBA executives.
“There’s a growing belief from rival NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype that Phoenix will target Marquette point guard Tyler Kolek with the 22nd overall pick.
“Kolek led the NCAA in assists this season and would be a potential fit for the Suns, who want to add a traditional point guard this offseason.
“It’s also worth noting Kolek is a Priority Sports client and is represented by agent Mark Bartelstein, whose son, Josh, is the CEO of the Suns.
“Speaking of Bartelstein clients, free agent Royce O’Neale is expected to re-sign with Phoenix and is projected to earn roughly $10 million annually. The Suns have O’Neale’s Bird Rights heading into free agency, allowing them to go over the cap to retain him.”
Story: New 2024 NBA mock draft, including reporting on the Knicks, Raptors, Suns, Nuggets, Spurs, Wizards, Pacers, Jazz, Thunder, Timberwolves, 76ers, Bucks, Kings, Blazers, Hornets, and more on @hoopshype. https://t.co/Xx4xOt5V4U
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 15, 2024
The 6-foot-3, 23-year-old Kolek averaged 15.3 points on 49.6/38.8/85.1 shooting splits, a Division I-leading 7.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 33 minutes per game across 31 contests for the Golden Eagles this past season. He was a consensus second-team All-American selection (AP, NABC, USBWA, Sporting News). This was his third season at Marquette and fourth overall in college after he started his career at George Mason in the 2020-21 season.
Kolek was also the 2022-23 BIG EAST Player of the Year, but elected to stay an additional year in college and improved his points, assists and rebounding averages. ESPN has Kolek has the No. 26 overall prospect on its latest big board.
HoopsHype lists Kolek’s strengths as:
- Leads men’s Division-I in assists per game with 7.7
- Recognized as a leader on the court
- Possesses craftiness and intelligence as a point guard
- Significant improvement as a shooter, hitting 40.4 percent from three-point range
- Adept distributor, particularly out of ball screens
- Displays clutch shot-making abilities
- Left-handed catch-and-shoot three-point shooter
- Deceptiveness and shiftiness enables him to attack the basket
- Solid floor general, orchestrating an offense effectively
- Creates scoring opportunities for teammates with flashy plays
- Limited first-step quickness
- Defensive lateral movement could be improved
- Ability to score in traffic hindered by size
- Must accelerate release off the dribble to become a more formidable threat
- Lack of midrange jumper in skill set
- Defensive capabilities, particularly footspeed and separation, need improvement
- Faces challenges in penetrating defenses and defending more athletic guards
- Small stature and lack of elite vertical athleticism pose limitations
A point guard that can play over 20 minutes per game is one of three reported positions Phoenix is targeting this offseason.
At his introductory press conference last month, new Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said the Suns “probably” need to have a point guard next season.
New #Suns coach Mike Budenholzer on if the team needs a point guard pic.twitter.com/L8UXw18mpc
— Burn City Suns Talk ????️ (@BurnCitySuns) May 18, 2024
Even if it doesn’t mean adding a starting point guard, Phoenix did not have a single one guard that logged meaningful minutes last season. It is very rare that you see this, especially on a team with as much star power as the Suns have with Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant. The Suns preached a multi ball-handler attack most of the season because of the playmaking abilities of these three stars. However, it clearly did not work in the end, as they were swept in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Could Kolek be the answer to this problem?
The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft is on June 26 with the second round the following day on June 27. The Suns only hold the No. 22 overall pick in this year’s draft.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
