Suns zero in on draft-pick options

After hosting three pre-draft workouts this month and attending a fourth in Oakland, Calif., over the weekend, the Suns' scouting staff met Monday to further critique its short list for the 15th and 48th picks and decide which prospects to bring in for additional workouts.

Phoenix ideally would like to hold two more workouts at US Airways Center before the June 26 draft and is in the process of arranging for four players to come in for second looks and two for first looks.

Some of those players could include standouts from last weekend's 24-player, multiteam workout in Oakland, which was made up of potential mid-first- to second-round picks. Kansas swingman Brandon Rush, who headlined the group, Memphis forward Joey Dorsey and guards J.R. Giddens (New Mexico), Kyle Weaver (Washington State) and Sonny Weems (Arkansas) all helped their stock.

Whomever Phoenix ends up selecting, it believes it will get "rotation guys right off the bat," said David Griffin, vice president of basketball operations.

Whether through the draft or free agency, the Suns are looking to acquire a versatile wing who is a good defender and shooter, a backup center and a backup point guard.

Should the Suns zero in on one prospect and think they need to move up in the draft to get him, they believe they would have several willing trade partners.

"I think there's a lot of people that would move down because the draft is deep, but it's not necessarily top heavy," Griffin said. "If you're picking (high), you may think you can get the same guy at 13 or 14 and pay him a lot less. I think there will be a lot of mobility."

New York (No. 6) and Portland (No. 13) are believed to be among the teams that would be willing to trade down or out of the first round. The Knicks, who have a payroll of just less than $91 million next season, may be looking to cut costs while the Trail Blazers, who are already loaded with young talent, may be willing to give up their first-round pick to add experience.

The Suns are also exploring the idea of acquiring a second first-round choice. Doing so might cost them Leandro Barbosa or Boris Diaw. "If we could capitalize on (the depth of the draft) and get more than one (first-round pick), we would," Griffin said. "If that's below us or above us, either way that's fine. It's just a potentially good opportunity to fill a few needs and address our need for youth."

A second pick would make a player like French forward Nicolas Batum more attractive. The 6-foot-8, 214-pound 19-year-old has huge upside but still needs time to develop physically and is at least a year away from being NBA ready. Chances are he will play another year in Europe.