NBA Mock Draft 2013: Predicting Picks 21-30

30. Phoenix Suns: Shane Larkin, Miami (PG)

Age: 20 (Sophomore)

Height/Weight: 5’11/171

Mar 27, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Shane Larkin speaks to the media during a press conference the day before the semifinals of the East regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Suns were a shell of themselves without Steve Nash at the helm in 2012-13. Their fixes at point didn’t help them, as they barely made a dent in the competitive Western Conference. If they want to look to eventually replace their pass-first, top-talent shooting point guard, they may look for it in the young Shane Larkin.

Larkin is one of the biggest reasons that Miami made the impact in the NCAA tournament that it did, displaying a high amount of talent and execution both in passing and shooting, despite his small size.

At the NBA level, his height and weight will be a big problem, but his quickness will help him overplay it. He’s an incredible overall athlete and can make shots with tremendous accuracy particularly off pick-and-rolls, making him ideal for a preferred professional offensive technique.  He also doesn’t turn over the ball much and passes extremely well.

Pretty much the biggest downside to Larkin’s game is his size. It limits his extension in the lane and on inside play, and his wingspan leaves little margin for error when it comes to his defense (though he has been solid on this side of the ball, showing a penchant for turnover creation).  Larkin might have just what it takes to deliver a jolt to a dormant Phoenix franchise.