The Phoenix Suns aren’t in the NBA Playoffs, but they are in the NBA Draft Lottery and, in SB Nation’s 2011 NBA mock draft, this means that we get to take a closer look at possible Suns’ draft picks like Lithuanian center Donatas Motiejunas.
Motiejunas is a legitimate 7-footer who is averaging 10.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 18 Eurocup competition this season while playing for Italian team Benetton Treviso. He was also projected as a lottery pick last season, but surprisingly decided to spend another season in Europe.
The scouting reports on Motiejunas indicate that he was a perimeter-based big man, but with some added weight this season, he’s become an inside and outside threat so Draft Express’s best case (Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors) and worst case (Channing Frye!) may not be up to date.
With Channing Frye already under contract next season (for $5.6 million dollars), the probability of the Suns drafting another perimeter based player probably isn’t the most realistic option. Of course, there’s a good chance that Motiejunas stays overseas for a couple of seasons, too — but that doesn’t exactly benefit Phoenix, either.