Suns pegged for 3 draft picks from No. 14 to No. 27

Barring a dream scenario unfolding, the Suns will be in position to draft in this year's first round at No. 14, No. 17 or 18 and No. 27.

Narrowly missing the Western Conference playoffs by one win would take on a different tone if the Suns' 1.8 percent draft lottery chance of moving into the top three came to fruition. It would not only be a golden ticket for a prime prospect but it would also drop Minnesota from No. 13 to No. 14 and make the Timberwolves turn over their top-13 protected pick from the July 2012 Robin Lopez/Wes Johnson three-team trade.

The Suns will have five chances out of 1,000 in the May 20 draft lottery, making it much more likely that the Suns stay at No. 14 for their pick.

The Suns also will receive a No. 17 or No. 18 pick from Washington (depending on a drawing to break ties next month) for October's Marcin Gortat trade and a No. 27 pick from Indiana for July's Luis Scola trade.

The draft is June 26.

Early mock drafts on nbadraft.net and draftexpress.com have the Suns' No. 14 pick tied to Michigan sophomore shooting guard Nik Stauskas. Three cbssports.com mock drafts had the Suns taking North Carolina State small forward T.J. Warren, Kentucky center Willie Cauley-Stein and Creighton power forward Doug McDermott. Nbadraftinsider.com had the Suns with Michigan State senior power forward Adreian Payne at No. 14.

Their later picks were tied to UCLA guard Zach LaVine, UCLA small forward Kyle Anderson, Louisville power forward Montrezl Harrell, Kentucky point guard Andrew Harrison, Arizona guard Nick Johnson, Oklahoma State guard Markel Brown, Wichita State small forward Cleanthony Early, Croatian guard Mario Hezonja and Swiss power forward Clint Capela.