Phoenix Suns work out 2017 NBA Draft prospect Jordan Bell
In a group of 2017 NBA Draft prospects Friday, the Phoenix Suns got a good look at Oregon's Jordan Bell, who could be an option with their second round pick.
The Phoenix Suns will have decisions to make with the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, but by the time their first second round pick rolls around at No. 32, the decisions — though nowhere near as important — might not get any easier.
In an extremely talented and deep draft class, the Suns have a legitimate chance of landing a rotation player at the start of the second round.
One such option, if he's still available, is Oregon Ducks prospect Jordan Bell, who worked out for the Suns on Friday.
A 6'9″ power forward, the 22-year-old has made defense, rebounding and shot-blocking his calling cards heading into the draft. Most mocks project him to go somewhere between the end of the first round and the early stages of the second round.
Suns assistant general manager Pat Connelly said Bell is one of the more athletic prospects he's seen so far.
"Very high," he said of Bell's shot-blocking ability. "In terms of quick twitch muscle, getting off the floor quickly. Obviously it kind of reflects in his shot-blocking numbers, but he gets off the floor really quick."
Jordan Bell got to 28. #Suns record is 28 and 3/4. pic.twitter.com/c4zn5ebXYl
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) June 9, 2017
In his junior year with the Ducks, Bell averaged 10.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, shooting 63.6 percent from the field. He was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and leaves Oregon as the school's all-time leader in blocks (and field goal percentage).
Connelly said a combination of factors play into his defensive potential as a shot-blocker.
"Timing, obviously athleticism, reading action in a play whether you're coming from the weak-side or just kind of in a one-up situation, so it's a lot of different things," he said. "Some guys are naturally predisposed to be really good shot-blockers, some based off athleticism, some guys read the game really well, and then the really good ones have a little bit of everything."
In five games in the NCAA Tournament, Bell stepped up his numbers to 12.6 points, 13.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game, all while shooting 27-for-37 (73 percent) from the field to help make up for the loss of Chris Boucher.
His statement game came in the Elite Eight against Kansas, as the big man recorded 11 points, 13 rebounds, eight blocks and four assists in the Ducks win.
He also became the first player since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1983-84 to record at least 12 rebounds in five straight NCAA Tournament games.
"You look at him, he's not 6'11" but it doesn't matter," Connelly said of his rebounding. "He gets out there, he gets up, he battles, he's physical. He has the timing and the knack — same kind of thing with the blocks. You can't just be athletic and rebound, you also have to have the commitment to get the ball and the timing to kind of read where the ball's going."
At the next level, Bell will need to develop more on the offensive end, particularly when it comes to being able to at least spread the floor to the midrange.
But with Alex Len and Alan Williams both being restricted free agents this summer, and the Suns being in desperate need of defense and interior rim protection, Bell could be a terrific fit if he's still on the board at No. 32.
When asked who he'd compare his game to in the NBA, Bell named Draymond Green as a player he's tailored his game after — someone who does a little bit of everything, is mentally tough, makes the right play on offense and understands his role, especially when it comes to not always looking to score.
"I think my ability to guard perimeter players, switch on screens, keep people in front of me, that's definitely something that will help me out in the long run and keep me in the league for a long time," Bell said.
"I take very much pride in my defense. That's who I am." — Oregon prospect Jordan Bell at #Suns draft workout pic.twitter.com/bakfzSvXBu
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) June 9, 2017
Obviously Draymond Green makes for a lofty player comparison, but on the defensive end, the potential is evident. A simple look to this year's NBA Finals shows how the league is evolving, and the importance of being able to switch on screens and defend the perimeter with versatile big men is paramount.
"The way the game is going, everybody's pick-and-popping and switching screens all the time, 1-5, sometimes LeBron [James] was playing the 5," Bell said. "So I think me coming in right now is the perfect time to come into the league."
Joining Bell for his workout was another possible second round prospect, Mathias Lessort. The 6'9″ power forward from France averaged 10.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in only 22.7 minutes per game for his professional French club, Nanterre 92.
"I think it always helps to have that extra year physically," Connelly said. "As you can see he's a really well filled out kid and he's actually really athletic. He played in a good situation at Nanterre this year where he got real minutes, which sometimes with international prospects is not as easy to come by. So he played a role on his team, they won a French cup and he got a lot of really good experience and a lot of court time."
One of the more notable names in the house, at least for Suns fans familiar with his father, was Lehigh's Tim Kempton Jr. His father played eight NBA seasons for eight different NBA teams, including Phoenix, and currently serves as a color broadcaster covering the Suns.
Averaging 20.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in his senior season, Kempton Jr. also shot 54.7 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three-point range as a stretch big.
He is not currently projected to be drafted, but said he was optimistic about the process and being able to latch on somewhere as an undrafted free agent or in Summer League.
"I'm thankful for all the NBA workouts I've done but this one is going to hold a special place in my heart and my mind no matter what happens," he said. "Working out for the Phoenix Suns is something that you dream of as a little kid playing for your hometown team and I was able to do that today."
Rounding out the group of six draft workouts were Syracuse's Andrew White III, Miami's Davon Reed and New Mexico's Tim Williams, all of whom will be fighting for second round spots or trying to climb onto an NBA Summer League roster.
The 2017 NBA Draft on June 22 is rapidly approaching, but Jordan Bell is one name to keep an eye on when the Phoenix Suns are back on the clock at pick No. 32.
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