Deandre Ayton – Phoenix Suns
By Larry Larson
Not only will Deandre Ayton have the largest physical impact of this year’s NBA draft class at 7-foot-1-inch and 250 pounds, but he will have the largest impact on his franchise, the Phoenix Suns, as well.
As PAC-12 player of the year, Ayton averaged a double-double with over 20 points and 11 rebounds per game. Defenses can’t play hack-a-Shaq with the big man either, as he boasted a .733 free throw percentage in his only college season.
Additionally, he averaged nearly two blocks per game on the defensive end. Ayton is an impact player on both sides of the floor.
You and I both know the Suns won’t be contenders in the stacked Western Conference this season. However, the Suns are going to have some pieces in the near future to start moving up in the conference.
With Devin Booker’s transformation into an elite player, the addition of first rounder Mikal Bridges and more lottery picks likely coming in the summer of 2019, Ayton is an integral part of the organization’s future.
Additionally, the rebuild gives Ayton more time to develop as a player. With only one year in college, the center can improve with a few years of professional development. He will be ready to rise to the occasion once Phoenix is a contender.
Matt will tell you that Cleveland’s new point guard Collin Sexton will have the biggest impact. However, the Cavs have just entered a dark time for the franchise.
After Lebron left for L.A., it’s going to be hard for Cleveland to pick up the pieces. While there’s an outside chance Cleveland could fight for one of the last playoff spots in the East, it’ll be a tough race to win.
Considering there aren’t many shooters on the Cavs roster, Sexton will receive most of the defensive attention beyond the arc while he’s on the floor, making it more difficult for him to score.
While both of these players could have good seasons, their teams won’t. It’s all about the future for both rookies, but the Sun’s future with Deandre Ayton looks much brighter.
Collin Sexton – Cleveland Cavaliers
By Matt Harrington
With the departure of Lebron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for someone on their roster to fill the void. Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson may provide some essential help, but the best answer is rookie Collin Sexton.
Sexton, a 6-foot-2-inch point guard out of Alabama, was selected by the Cavaliers with the eighth overall pick in the 2018 draft.
During his first and only season at Alabama, Sexton was the driving force behind the program’s first NCAA tournament appearance since 2012. Sexton was also named the SEC Freshman of the Year.
He is a potential elite point guard with lots of speed and intensity. He has the potential to show Cleveland how talented he truly is and the impact he can have on the court.
The point guard position in Cleveland is still very much up for grabs. Since Kyrie Irving and Derrick Rose left, veteran George Hill has been at the helm.
At 32 years old, it is unclear how many seasons Hill has left. His decline could open the door for Sexton to become the future starting point guard for Cleveland.
This season, Sexton is listed as the backup point guard on the Cavaliers depth chart, and will likely see a lot of minutes. Through the first four games, he is already averaging over 23 minutes a game.
With Lebron James out of the picture, Kevin Love is really the only elite player left on this roster. Sexton clearly has the experience of making an impact on his team’s roster as we saw last year with Alabama.
It may take a few months, but there is no doubt in my mind that Sexton will have a terrific rookie season for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Larry will tell you that both the Suns and Cavs will have bad seasons, but the Cavs can contest for a playoff spot. If Sexton sees the first round of the NBA playoffs this year, something Ayton definitely won’t experience, he will obtain valuable knowledge for his future development.
