NBA Mock Draft: Phoenix Suns trade for #17; draft Montrezl Harrell

SB Nation's NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making or trading "their" team's pick. We continue with the next pick in the 2015 NBA Mock Draft, with Bright Side of the Sun selecting Montrezl Harrell from Louisville.

By Keith Schlosser Jun 23, 2015, 10:30am EDT

NBA Mock Draft Pick #17 -- Montrezl Harrell, Forward, Louisville

The Phoenix Suns have agreed to a three team trade to acquire the 17th pick in the 2015 Mock Draft. The trade cannot be officially completed until July, but has been agreed upon by all parties.

Cleveland acquires Marcus Morris.

Milwaukee acquires the 24th pick in this draft and Cleveland's lottery protected 2016 pick (already owned by the Suns)

The Suns get Brendan Haywood and #17. Haywood's contract is non guaranteed for next season.

SB Nation's Suns blog, Bright Side of the Sun, explains the pick following the trade:

After taking combo guard D'Angelo Russell with the 3rd overall pick, the Suns decided to address the front court after trading for the 17th overall pick. The Suns big men under contract consist only of Markieff Morris and Alex Len at the moment.

The choice was quite difficult between multi-talented Trey Lyles and energetic defender Montrezl Harrell. The BSotS staff went round and round between the two for quite a time, ultimately splitting the votes. Ultimately, the team decided that Harrell's boundless energy, rebounding, defense and transition running were perfect fits on this young Suns team. Every NBA team needs someone in their front court who does the dirty work, defends multiple positions and wins games with defensive effort. Some have compared Harrell's impact on a game to Draymond Green's, while others compare him to Kenneth Faried.

The Suns are thrilled to add these two young players (19 and 21 years old) to a core of C Alex Len (21), SF T.J. Warren (21), and G Brandon Knight (23) and Archie Goodwin (20).