Stephen A. Smith Said The Phoenix Suns Should Pick Deandre Ayton Over Luka Doncic In The 2018 NBA Draft: “I Don’t Give A Damn About This How This Kid In Europe Looks... If You’re The Phoenix Suns, You Have To Take Deandre Ayton.”

“Deandre Ayton is going to be the number one overall pick. But it’s incredibly important that the Phoenix Suns don’t mess this up. He’s right there in Arizona, he’s right down the road. You need a box office attraction who can flat-out ball, who is a big boy. The size, the athleticism, and the combination of all of those things with his gifts that you simply can’t teach. I don’t give a damn about how this kid in Europe looks, I understand he’s a 6’8 point guard, he’s surreal, he’ll probably be the number two overall pick… But in Phoenix, considering the level of ineptitude that they have raked that city with… Deandre Ayton, there is nothing to think about, there is nothing to talk about, there is nothing to debate. There is absolutely nothing to consider. You have to take Deandre Ayton with the number one overall pick because you are the Phoenix Suns.”

Stephen A. Smith would end up being very wrong over the next few years. Deandre Ayton has proven himself to be one of the best young prospects in the league, especially when it comes to big men.

But Luka Doncic has proven himself as a once-in-a-generation talent, who has been a multiple-time All-Star and made All-NBA teams. Ayton has had more success in the post-season, but he was doing so as the third option behind Devin Booker and Chris Paul.

Ayton was considered the obvious first overall pick because of his size, but as we have learned since, it was the wrong decision, as Doncic has been sensational ever since he stepped foot in the NBA.