Suns not picking up option on Jalen Smith
Suns coach Monty Williams thought Jalen Smith’s energy “was great” in Saturday night’s win over Cleveland. So did Devin Booker.
“Man, he came in there, got a few offensive rebounds,” Booker said. “Was in the right spot on the rolls when they were blitzing (Chris Paul) and made a couple of plays. That’s called being ready for your moment.”
So Smith saw quality action for the first time in what is his second, and perhaps, last season with the Suns.
Shams Charania, NBA insider for The Athletic and Stadium, reported Monday that Phoenix isn’t picking up Smith’s third-year rookie option, thus making him an unrestricted free agent after this season.
“You just control what you can control,” Smith said after Monday’s practice. “Just come in and hoop. That’s my job is to come in and hoop. All the outside stuff will handle itself.”
This is a continuation of recent Phoenix contract decisions as the Suns didn’t reach an agreement with starting center Deandre Ayton on a rookie extension as he wanted a five-year max worth $172 million, but signed Mikal Bridges to a four-year rookie extension for $90 million and gave Landry Shamet, who they acquired in a draft-day trade this summer, a four-year, $43million rookie extension.
The 6-10 Smith, who hardly played his rookie year last season, is averaging 4.5 points and two rebounds in his two games this season after posting four points, five boards, a block, a steal and a turnover in nine minutes against the Cavs.
“His energy was great,” Williams said after the Cleveland game. “When you haven’t played in that span of time, it’s hard to get a rhythm. I thought his energy was really good.”
With Ayton leaving Saturday’s game in the third quarter with a right leg contusion, Smith helped Phoenix fill that void. Williams noted some of Smith’s mistakes, but thought the forward “played within himself ” and suggested Smith may find more opportunities against bigger teams.
“Stix came in and played great,” said Paul, who advised Smith to watch the game film. “His energy was amazing. He was sort just thrown into the fire. Just keep learning. There’s nothing better than playing and learning.”
Smith was appreciative of the support he received from Booker, Paul and Williams.
“It’s amazing,” Smith said. “That’s my teammates, my family. Basketball is one big family here. Just knowing that they’re recognizing me and seeing how much effort I’m putting in and how much time and energy I’m putting in to get better to get on the court is amazing and knowing they’re recognzing it.”
The 6-10 Smith averaged just two points and 1.4 rebounds in just 27 games his rookie season after Phoenix drafted him out of Maryland with the 10th overall pick in the 2020 draft. NBA Draft experts expected the Suns to draft a point guard such as Tyrese Haliburton, who made first-team All-Rookie with Sacramento.
With the NBA not having its annual summer league in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, Smith didn’t have a chance to participate in action that has been a springboard for rookies entering the league.
The 2020 draft was in November with the 2020-21 season starting up in December.
Smith suffered an ankle injury early his rookie year, then had a bout with COVID-19 and hardly played for a team that reached the NBA Finals.
However, Smith’s name circulated in trade rumors in the offseason.
He saw action in the preseason, but didn’t play in the first two regular-season games before seeing mop-up duty in a blowout loss at Portland.
Smith then saw his first quality minutes Saturday.