The Phoenix Suns are reportedly entertaining interest from teams regarding 2020 first-round selection Jalen Smith.
The Phoenix Suns are looking to make it back to the NBA Finals next year after they fell in six games to the Milwaukee Bucks. The team accomplished their top goal of the offseason, and that was re-signing veteran point guard Chris Paul to a massive contract. But based off latest reports, the team is far from done making moves.
According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Suns are gauging interest from rival teams in their 10th overall pick from the 2020 NBA Draft, Jalen Smith. Fischer notes that the Suns are exploring various options due to the fact that they “still have an open roster spot and part of the mid-level exception to play with.”
Suns exploring trading 2020 first-round pick Jalen Smith
Smith was a standout at Maryland, where he averaged 13.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 51.6 percent from the floor. He declared for the draft in 2020 and ended up being selected by Phoenix much higher than anyone expected.
The rookie did not play much with the Suns in his first season due to an ankle sprain and being placed in the league’s health and safety protocols. In fact, Smith logged six games of playing time in the G League with the Agua Caliente Clippers.
Through 27 regular-season games in Phoenix, the big man put up an average of 2.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.8 minutes per game.
While the Suns did use a high draft pick on Smith, he is currently buried on the team’s depth chart. On ESPN.com, Smith is listed as the fourth-option at the power forward and center positions. Perhaps being traded to another team that can guarantee extended playing time would do wonders for Smith, and it would help get Phoenix an asset in return.
Again, nothing is confirmed as of this writing, but the Suns are keeping their options open.