Suns Take Lengthy Wing Player in 2023 NBA Mock Draft

Phoenix would be wise to take incoming Houston freshman Terrance Arceneaux.

The Phoenix Suns didn't have a draft pick in the NBA Draft for just the second time in franchise history, but all should return to order next season after the remainders of the Chris Paul and Torrey Craig deals are now complete. 

Future picks may be dealt in a potential deal involving Kevin Durant, although we'll cross that bridge when we get there. 

In The Athletic's early 2023 NBA Mock Draft, the Suns are slated to pick at No. 26 from betting odds to win the NBA Finals next year. While they may not snag projected No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama, plenty of talented players should be available for the Suns late in the first round.

With Mikal Bridges as the only forward on the books after next season (guys like Dario Saric, Torrey Craig, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and Josh Okogie aren't officially under contract in some form or another), the Suns are favorites to target a wing player with one of their draft picks.

Sam Vecenie believes a potential filler for that role is a player who has yet to play a minute at the collegiate level. 

Back 2 Back 5A State Championship MVP 🥇

SR Terrance Arceneaux
14 pts, 10 rebs, 4 stls pic.twitter.com/oaUq0grsHs

— Hoopinsider (@hoopinsider) March 12, 2022

Terrance Arceneaux | 6-7 wing | 19 years old | Houston

"I get the impression I’m a bit higher on Arceneaux than consensus, but he seems like one of those guys who is tailor-made to be an NBA wing. Every year, there is a guy ranked somewhere in the 30s or 40s in their recruiting class who surprisingly goes one-and-done. This is my pick for that this season. Arceneaux is 6-foot-7 with what has to be at least a 7-foot wingspan. He hits shots off the catch from distance and is an extremely disruptive defender both on the wing with his ability to get into passing lanes and on the weak side as a shot blocker. He’s not really a primary scorer, but he does everything else well in how it translates toward being a potential NBA prospect. I think he has a really strong year as a freshman for Houston as a role player, and he’s actually the guy I see as their best long-term prospect ahead of guys like Jarace Walker and Marcus Sasser, both of whom are also rated highly here."- Sam Vecenie

Highlights

Arceneaux is a currently a four-star composite player from Beaumont, TX. Aside from Houston, he held offers from Baylor, Georgia, LSU, Marquette and Texas among others. 

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