The Phoenix Suns’ most recent lottery pick could hit free agency this summer, according to a report.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, there’s “an early belief that (Indiana Pacers) forward Jalen Smith will decline his $5.4 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency this summer, league sources told HoopsHype. No decision has been formally decided, but this has been the early indication.”
The Suns drafted Smith 10th overall in 2020, but he never really panned out to be the backup 4/5 they were hoping he would be. Phoenix traded him to Indiana at the trade deadline in 2022 in exchange for Torrey Craig.
Despite the Suns making the NBA Finals in his first season in the Valley and then being the No. 1 seed the following year when he was traded, Smith only averaged 4.1 points and 9.6 minutes across 56 games in his 1.5 seasons in Phoenix. He never saw real minutes in the playoffs, as he only averaged three minutes across six games in the Suns Finals run, even with backup center Dario Saric tearing his ACL in the Finals.
This season with Indiana however, the Maryland product started to find his groove, averaging 9.9 points on 59.2/42.4/69.2 shooting splits and 5.5 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game across 61 contests for the Pacers, who made the Eastern Conference finals. Smith has averaged double-digit points and 6.0 rebounds in 151 games (49 starts) during his 2.5 seasons in Indiana.
However, in his first time back in the postseason since 2021, Smith once again did not play much for Indiana, only averaging six minutes in seven games in their Eastern Conference finals run.
Even so, according to Scotto, he could bet on himself this summer to earn a larger contract. Smith signed a three-year, $15.1 million contract with the Pacers in July of 2022 that included this player option for the 2024-25 season.
Some Suns fans are wondering if they should give him a second chance.
If I’m James Jones I’m calling Stix ASAP (when legal).
Apologizing for Monty’s irrational hatred & outright refusal to play him.
Offering a chance to return to a team that’s has more star power than before and a genuine need for his skill set.
Remember Bud loves stretch bigs! https://t.co/vojcdK9Jyn
— Gabe Guerrero (@GabeGuerrero03) June 15, 2024
Come home to Phoenix. We gave up Tyrese halliburton for you. That's got to be worth something
— Douglas Allen (@Douglas42973304) June 15, 2024
However, this would be pretty unlikely since Smith could only get a veteran minimum contract worth $2-3 million from the Suns, as they are operating over the second tax apron.
If he is looking for more than $5 million per year, a reunion in Phoenix would seem pretty unlikely.
Report: ‘Growing belief’ Suns will target this All-American PG in NBA Draft
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
