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All good things must come to an end. That was the case as the Phoenix Suns finished up their seventh workout in eight days at U.S. Airways Center that saw a wide range of talents come through. Today's workout was no different with lottery talents, late first rounders, second round hopefuls, and others that may not hear their names called on June 27th this year.
The group consisted of Mason Plumlee (No. 11 on the Big Board), Tony Mitchell (24), Isaiah Canaan (49), DeWayne Dedmon (NA), Khalif Wyatt (NA), and Jamelle Hagins (NA).
It was a very athletic group today from top to bottom. Plumlee and Mitchell are elite athletes for their position in the front-court with the ability to make teams pay in the open court. With the new trend of position-less basketball, that by the way General Manager Ryan McDonough has references a few times, and was on display today.
"Today was a good group, especially with the bigs, one of the more athletic groups we have had," McDonough on the workout as a whole.
Each can play multiple positions and measured bigger than their regular season college listing at the NBA Draft Combine a month ago.
If the team wants to upgrade the athleticism, shooting, and play an up-tempo style then Plumlee and Mitchell meet two of the three requirements. Neither are in a realistic range for the Suns, but it is always good to know the talent incase they acquire a mid-first round pick.
Mitchell has been favorably compared to former Suns great Shawn Marion and has the potential, athletically, to play a similar role as a do everything athletic forward. He would be a steal at No. 30 for the team.
The rest of the workout involved more athletes of different ilk's in Canaan (point guard), Dedmon (center), Hagins (forward), and Wyatt (scoring guard). All are second round options for the team, but, once again, the team had a draft worthy point guard in a workout. A trend to keep an eye on.
"It has been a grind for our staff (seven in eight days), but we feel good about where we are. We will take a little break and concentrate on film work over the next few days and then do some other logistical things with the front office and the coaching staff." -- McDonough
Here is a scouting take on the prospects:
- Mason Plumlee -- Duke -- Senior forward/center: Full Scouting Report
- Tony Mitchell -- North Texas -- Sophomore forward: Full Scouting Report
- Isaiah Canaan -- Murray State -- Senior point guard: Full Scouting Report
- Jamelle Haggins -- Delaware -- Senior forward: Very athletic, combo forward that excels in transition and can rebound the ball. Not polished on the offensive end, but can play a role off the bench and provides energy.
- DeWayne Dedmon -- USC -- Junior center: Big, athletic, long, and can shoot the ball. Has potential as a shot-blocker, but never stayed on the court long enough to develop it as a skill.
- Khalif Wyatt -- Temple -- Senior shooting guard: Scores in bunches and can get points in a variety of ways from three, in the paint, mid-range, and going to the line after absorbing contact. He is not a great athlete, more of an "old man's game," but knows how to create space.
***Mason Plumlee ran 26 court lengths in three minutes, which is the infamous drill the Suns have at the end of their workouts, he was the best in this group and unsure how he measured up against the other groups
***The next workout is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 15th
***So far the team has worked out 45 total prospects (the most of any team through today)
***After today the team will focus on the hiring of the coaching staff and expects to make an announcement of the entire staff at once