PHOENIX SUNS

ESPN NBA insider: Orlando Magic may be only team in the way of Phoenix Suns and Victor Oladipo

Jun 24, 2013, 11:03 PM | Updated: 11:16 pm

ESPN NBA Draft insider Chad Ford said Indiana’s Victor Oladipo is his favorite player in the 2013 class.

As a junior last season, Oladipo averaged 13.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting a blistering .599 from the field.

“I think he has the ‘it’ factor,” Ford told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf Monday. “I think he might be a little bit limited in what he could do offensively, but he’s going to be a beast defensively.

“He’s going to be a high-character player who cares about winning and team over personal stats, and I think he’ll be the hardest worker of anybody in this draft.”

Those are all qualities the Phoenix Suns — or any team, really — would love to have, which begs the question: what are the odds that Oladipo, who has been linked to the the black and orange before, is around for them at number five?

“I think it’s solid,” Ford said of the chances of the junior lasting to the Suns’ selection. “Really, the one team ahead of Phoenix that is seriously considering him is Orlando.”

The Magic currently hold the second pick in the draft and could render any infatuation the Suns may have with Oladipo moot, but Ford believes if Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel is not Cleveland’s pick at number one, he will be Orlando’s at two.

“That is as close to a lock as there is in the draft,” Ford said. “If Noel’s not on the board, they’re trying to decide, really, I think between the same two guys that the Suns are trying to decide between, (Ben) McLemore and Oladipo.

“I think they’re leaning Oladipo because of character issues, but they could come back and decide McLemore’s talent, they can’t pass on, and if that’s the case then I would think Oladipo would be there at five.”

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

6 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

10 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

14 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

ESPN NBA insider: Orlando Magic may be only team in the way of Phoenix Suns and Victor Oladipo