Luka Doncic says Deandre Ayton will win Rookie of the Year

For months Phoenix fans debated who the Suns should select with the number one overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The discussion really came down to two players. Deandre Ayton or Luka Doncic. It was a fun conversation for awhile. Then it was not fun. Then it got boring. Then it was done. And now we know that it’s Ayton’s name that will one day be included with Hawkins, Barkley, and Majerle in the Suns Ring of Honor.

That’s going to be awhile, though. First he has a Rookie of the Year Trophy to collect. And to hear Doncic tell it, that’s exactly what will happen.

“I would say [Phoenix center Deandre] Ayton. He was the No. 1 pick. He’s tall, he’s strong, he can do so many things,” Doncic said.

ESPN’s Chris Forsberg asked other first-year players that same question at the annual rookie photo shoot in New York. It doesn’t matter what the rest of them said, but you can read their answers here. Ayton was not asked, but as we were reminded last week, he’s not short on confidence.

Ayton was asked a few things though. Including:

LeBron to the Lakers:

“I called it. I did call it. I said LeBron is going to the Lakers. LeBron is a very smart man. He wants a young team that listens, and kids who can get better. Because he’s going to get old one day and he’s going to want to just chill down low.”

Spending his rookie dollars:

“I got my mom a house. Her reaction was priceless. Obviously, you can’t repay her for what she’s done for you, but I’m trying. Trying to keep her as comfortable as possible, stress-free. She is living probably five or 10 minutes from [Phoenix] owner [Robert Sarver]. She lives in the same area as him and Devin Booker.”

Advice he’s received since jumping to the NBA:

“I’m still waiting for some good advice. I’m waiting for my veterans to come back to Arizona from their lovely vacations. I’m sure they’ll help me and have plenty of advice.”

There are fun answers here from rookies not named Deandre Ayton. Give it a read.