Suns pick national champion in ESPN’s two-round 2025 mock draft

Givony on why Suns take Clayton:

“The Suns last year drafted two ready-made contributors in Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro and plugged them in their rotation, and would have an opportunity to do the same with Clayton, the NCAA tournament’s most outstanding player after helping Florida win a national championship.

“Despite measuring smaller than expected at the combine, Clayton brings tremendous shotmaking prowess and all-around scoring talent, making big plays in clutch moments all season while creating chaos for opposing defenses with his speed and unpredictability. The fact he can play on or off the ball, alongside Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, could be attractive.”

Clayton was key to Florida’s national title run and led the Gators with 18.3 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.3 rebounds. The All-American stands at 6’2 with a 6’4 wingspan. Despite being slightly undersize, his shooting more than makes up for it, as Clayton shot 38.6 from beyond the arc during his senior season.

The 22-year-old is a win now player, which is what the Suns need with the age surrounding the roster with its top guys. Clayton would join a guard room with Collin Gillespie as a dynamic one-two punch of the bench that could inject energy into the game for the team.

Givony has Phoenix taking senior Duke guard Sion James at 52nd overall. James was a fifth-year senior for the Blue Devils last year, where he averaged 8.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. The 6’6 guard possesses similar shooting prowess as Clayton, knocking down 41.3% of his 3-pointers. The Suns adding more shooting with James would help spread the floor for their top stars next season.

There’s a bunch of talent in the 2025 NBA draft, with ESPN having Phoenix taking two high-volume shooting guard with its two picks. Obviously the Suns’ roster is expected to change before the 2025 draft, so the team’s needs will alter as well.