NBA Draft 2013 Combine Measurements, Results, Comparisons: Second Round Prospects

The further the mock drafts go, the more difficult it is to accurately predict the players who could be in play. When it comes to the Suns 57th pick overall in the second round, there is little consensus about which players will still be available, or which players will even be drafted at all.

One hint we have available to us are players that the Suns have brought in for workouts. Another clue is the players who have been mocked in and around the end of the second round who could have attributes or skill sets that the Suns could be interested in.

But make no mistake about it, it's a complete crap shoot this deep in the draft.

With that in mind, I've compiled a list of seven players that constitute my best guess of who the Suns could be looking at with their final pick the coming NBA Draft.

1. Vander Blue, SG, 6'5" 197 lbs, Marquette:

Vander Blue is a fast, quick slashing type of player who can also be an effective playmaker and defender. He's not a great shooter though and has a tendency to take poor shots at times, but his defense, ability to score, and versatility as a combo guard makes him an attractive option in the second round.

2. Solomon Hill, SF, 6'7", 226 lb, Arizona :

Hill is a college hometown favorite from UofA who has been one of the most consistent and productive players on the Wildcats over the past few seasons. He's the most versatile player on this list and did a little bit of everything last season, averaging 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. The biggest drawback for Hill is that while he did everything pretty well in college, he doesn't have any one area that he really excels at which can help him translate his game to the next level.

3. Grant Jarrett, PF, 6'10", 232 lbs, Arizona :

Sticking with our local prospects, Jarrett is another Wildcat who could be a realistic option for the Suns' 57th pick. Unlike his teammate Hill who is a senior, Jarrett was a freshman last season who although struggled off the bench last season, still showed some NBA potential during his short stint at UofA. Jarrett is a stretch four who is an excellent shooter, a very good passer for a big man, and reportedly has a high basketball I.Q.

4. Kenny Kadji, PF, 6'10", 242 lbs, Miami:

If he's still available, Kadji will likely be the most talented big man left in the draft by the time the Suns choose their last pick. There's no doubting his talent, measurables, and leaping ability. He's a good shooter for a big man and a pretty good defender. His biggest drawback is that he's already 25 years old and probably has very limited upside at this point. Still, his measurables and frame make him NBA ready, and he could be a nice option in the second round if the Suns are looking for another big man.

5. Ryan Kelly, PF, 7'0", 228 lbs, Duke:

Kelly is what he is, a three-point specialist in a 7-foot frame. While it may be tempting to compare him to our own Channing Frye, you have to remember that Frye was a much more versatile player in college and a high draft pick, and even now Channing is a fairly decent defender and rebounder for a stretch four. Kelly is none of those things. He literally has one skill, and that is shooting lights out from beyond the arc. Still, he is exceptional at that one skill, and his height should help him ensure that he is still able to get off quality shots even at the next level as a catch and shoot player.

6. Phil Pressey, PG, 6'0", 177 lb, Missouri:

Pressey is an interesting prospect for a second round pick. He is a very athletic, explosive, and fast player who is also a good floor general and an excellent passer. If the story ended here, you're looking at a potential lottery pick...but it doesn't. The problem with Pressey is that he's undersized, and has a tendency to take a lot of bad shots, and he's not a very good jump shooter to begin with. He is also a questionable defender, even more so when projecting him at the next level. He has the ability to be one of the best point guards in this draft class and all the tools to make it in the NBA, but can he learn to play within himself?

7. Peyton Siva, PG, 6'1", 181 lb, Louisville:

Peyton is probably the most recognizable name on the list as the starting point guard on the team who just won the NCAA National Championship. He is extremely quick and athletic, a great defender with excellent lateral quickness, and a good distributor. However, he is not a good shooter, and like Pressey, has a tendency to believe he is. While Siva is often referred to as being undersized, I think this is much less of a concern than his perimeter shooting. If Siva can develop a consistent jump shot and be more selective with his shot selection, he could be an absolute steal in the second round for a team looking for a young point guard.

Here is a look at how this group fared in the NBA Combine last month:

Measurements:

Results:

My Take:

The issue with late second round prospects is that they are extreme long shots. Never mind the highly unlikely chance of finding a starter, even finding a role player who can contribute off the bench would be considered a home run.

For this reason, I would rather the Suns draft players late in the second round with highly specialized skills who can do at least one thing very well. While someone like Solomon Hill may be the best all-around player out of this list, how likely is it that he will be used for all of the things he is pretty good at? On the other hand, a guy like Ryan Kelly who is a very good three point shooter, but does absolutely nothing else, could find a role on the Suns as a Mike Miller-esque type of guy who can knock down open shots in limited minutes on the floor.

Of course, Kelly has yet to workout with the Suns, so perhaps they aren't interested in a one-trick pony at all. They have worked out other big men who can also shoot the ball like Grant Jerrett and Kenny Kadji though, so maybe they are looking for a guy who actually has a chance to not only stretch the floor but also rebound, defend, and score inside a little as well.

Either way, the reality of the situation is that player they pick at #57 will be a stretch to even make the final roster. However, if the Suns' FO and scouting department does their homework, they could certainly land a player who can help the team in some capacity...which is about the most you should even hope for with this pick anyway.