Jalen Smith news, highlights and other discussion

[cberry78]

Can we do some "trick" in the summer to get him back?

I am thinking that we can offer him just a one year deal for $4.6M and then we can have a non-official agreement with him and his agent for 2023 giving him something like $60/4 years.

It just an idea if he continues playing great for us. Has happened something like that before?

Yeah pretty sure that was the plan with Joe Smith and the Timberwolves that led to Mchale getting fired and sanctions to the team. That was a pretty big no-no.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Smith_(basketball)#Timberwolves_salary_cap_scandal

[phx#7]

Can we do some "trick" in the summer to get him back?

I am thinking that we can offer him just a one year deal for $4.6M and then we can have a non-official agreement with him and his agent for 2023 giving him something like $60/4 years.

It just an idea if he continues playing great for us. Has happened something like that before?

Joe Smith approves this idea.

Jalen is gone either by the trade deadline or after this year.

Really seems questionable not guaranteeing the first option on a first round pick. Considering how all the other deals line up it feels like this was a move to lower a potential luxury tax hit.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Honestly the whole smith saga is confusing. From why they had him that high on their board to why you decide he can't play after a rookie year where he was both hurt and out with covid. Like if you liked a guy enough to take him 10 what changed so much in a year he didn't really play? Just a weird situation and one we might never know the full story.

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[jcsunsfan]

Phoenix Suns (@Suns) Tweeted:
THE DUNK

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Read on Twitter

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Suns Bench Mob Score:

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Read on Twitter

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Sucks to be the guy in the blue jacket that missed it live because he was on his phone. He will tell everyone he actually saw it live, but we know better.

[RunDogGun]

Can we do some "trick" in the summer to get him back?

I am thinking that we can offer him just a one year deal for $4.6M and then we can have a non-official agreement with him and his agent for 2023 giving him something like $60/4 years.

It just an idea if he continues playing great for us. Has happened something like that before?

Joe Smith approves this idea.

Jalen is gone either by the trade deadline or after this year.

Really seems questionable not guaranteeing the first option on a first round pick. Considering how all the other deals line up it feels like this was a move to lower a potential luxury tax hit.

Unfortunately, we blew this deal. I just think he will get better as he gets more minutes. So now the only thing we can do is trade him before the deadline for someone on a decent contract that is similar, or play him hard and get as many wins out of him this season, and watch him leave for more money and/or a starting spot if he plays really well. But the only problem is because we didn't secure his rookie contract, any team we trade him to will be in the same boat as us, where they can't sign him for more than $4.6 million.

Overall, I am happy Jalen is getting minutes and is producing, which is why I wanted us to draft him, but he will be gone after this season. If he continues to play well, he will get an offer higher than $4.6 mil from a team. The question would then be would he be willing to leave millions on the table to stay a Sun and a bench player if the 5 spot is his best position. I just don't see why he would.

Heard Christian Wood is pissed in Houston.

[bwgood77]

Can we do some "trick" in the summer to get him back?

I am thinking that we can offer him just a one year deal for $4.6M and then we can have a non-official agreement with him and his agent for 2023 giving him something like $60/4 years.

It just an idea if he continues playing great for us. Has happened something like that before?

Yeah, and teams have lost draft picks because of it. You can't offer FA's deals in advance. Besides, I am sure next year we can still only offer what he would have made with his option since he would still be under his rookie deal with us, which is better because a 4/$60 sound like way too much too early anyway.

If Marks is right that no other team can offer more than the team option for next year either, then I think that really helps us in re-signing him. I am unsure that is correct though as I thought other teams could offer him more and we were at a disadvantage there.

[bwgood77]

Honestly the whole smith saga is confusing. From why they had him that high on their board to why you decide he can't play after a rookie year where he was both hurt and out with covid. Like if you liked a guy enough to take him 10 what changed so much in a year he didn't really play? Just a weird situation and one we might never know the full story.

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Yeah, he didn't get a proper chance. He got down with injury/COVID and not playing and it hurt, which likely did impact his play, but if they believed in him I get it in some respect, mostly because I know we will be in the tax.

[bwgood77]

Can we do some "trick" in the summer to get him back?

I am thinking that we can offer him just a one year deal for $4.6M and then we can have a non-official agreement with him and his agent for 2023 giving him something like $60/4 years.

It just an idea if he continues playing great for us. Has happened something like that before?

Joe Smith approves this idea.

Jalen is gone either by the trade deadline or after this year.

Really seems questionable not guaranteeing the first option on a first round pick. Considering how all the other deals line up it feels like this was a move to lower a potential luxury tax hit.

Unfortunately, we blew this deal. I just think he will get better as he gets more minutes. So now the only thing we can do is trade him before the deadline for someone on a decent contract that is similar, or play him hard and get as many wins out of him this season, and watch him leave for more money and/or a starting spot if he plays really well. But the only problem is because we didn't secure his rookie contract, any team we trade him to will be in the same boat as us, where they can't sign him for more than $4.6 million.

Overall, I am happy Jalen is getting minutes and is producing, which is why I wanted us to draft him, but he will be gone after this season. If he continues to play well, he will get an offer higher than $4.6 mil from a team. The question would then be would he be willing to leave millions on the table to stay a Sun and a bench player if the 5 spot is his best position. I just don't see why he would.

Heard Christian Wood is pissed in Houston.

Yeah, I still don't see the trade value being that another team would be in the same boat as us..no restriction or option rights, just paying him the same as other teams could.

And if it was due to the tax (which I believe was the primary reason), I don't think we will trade him during the year for any contract that doesn't expire or it doesn't fix the tax issue. Now we know he can contribute, so I think he's worth keeping anyway, barring a no brainer deal which doesn't seem likely.

[RunDogGun]

Can we do some "trick" in the summer to get him back?

I am thinking that we can offer him just a one year deal for $4.6M and then we can have a non-official agreement with him and his agent for 2023 giving him something like $60/4 years.

It just an idea if he continues playing great for us. Has happened something like that before?

Yeah, and teams have lost draft picks because of it. You can't offer FA's deals in advance. Besides, I am sure next year we can still only offer what he would have made with his option since he would still be under his rookie deal with us, which is better because a 4/$60 sound like way too much too early anyway.

If Marks is right that no other team can offer more than the team option for next year either, then I think that really helps us in re-signing him. I am unsure that is correct though as I thought other teams could offer him more and we were at a disadvantage there.

From what I read, I think its only the team he finishes the season with, that is on that restriction of salary. Strange situation, and it would be interesting to hear the logic of not picking up his option, while still not having DA locked up with an extension. It really kills any trade deal involving Stix this season, which many had him and Saric together as a package.

[bwgood77]

Can we do some "trick" in the summer to get him back?

I am thinking that we can offer him just a one year deal for $4.6M and then we can have a non-official agreement with him and his agent for 2023 giving him something like $60/4 years.

It just an idea if he continues playing great for us. Has happened something like that before?

Yeah, and teams have lost draft picks because of it. You can't offer FA's deals in advance. Besides, I am sure next year we can still only offer what he would have made with his option since he would still be under his rookie deal with us, which is better because a 4/$60 sound like way too much too early anyway.

If Marks is right that no other team can offer more than the team option for next year either, then I think that really helps us in re-signing him. I am unsure that is correct though as I thought other teams could offer him more and we were at a disadvantage there.

From what I read, I think its only the team he finishes the season with, that is on that restriction of salary. Strange situation, and it would be interesting to hear the logic of not picking up his option, while still not having DA locked up with an extension. It really kills any trade deal involving Stix this season, which many had him and Saric together as a package.

Yeah, as I've always said, his trade value is much better if the trading team had option rights without anyone else having them. Not entirely sure why people feel otherwise on that front.

I'd rather his trade value be lower though as I'd prefer keeping him and hoping we can re-sign him.

[RunDogGun]

Joe Smith approves this idea.

Jalen is gone either by the trade deadline or after this year.

Really seems questionable not guaranteeing the first option on a first round pick. Considering how all the other deals line up it feels like this was a move to lower a potential luxury tax hit.

Unfortunately, we blew this deal. I just think he will get better as he gets more minutes. So now the only thing we can do is trade him before the deadline for someone on a decent contract that is similar, or play him hard and get as many wins out of him this season, and watch him leave for more money and/or a starting spot if he plays really well. But the only problem is because we didn't secure his rookie contract, any team we trade him to will be in the same boat as us, where they can't sign him for more than $4.6 million.

Overall, I am happy Jalen is getting minutes and is producing, which is why I wanted us to draft him, but he will be gone after this season. If he continues to play well, he will get an offer higher than $4.6 mil from a team. The question would then be would he be willing to leave millions on the table to stay a Sun and a bench player if the 5 spot is his best position. I just don't see why he would.

Heard Christian Wood is pissed in Houston.

Yeah, I still don't see the trade value being that another team would be in the same boat as us..no restriction or option rights, just paying him the same as other teams could.

And if it was due to the tax (which I believe was the primary reason), I don't think we will trade him during the year for any contract that doesn't expire or it doesn't fix the tax issue. Now we know he can contribute, so I think he's worth keeping anyway, barring a no brainer deal which doesn't seem likely.

The only deal that would make sense is if we were trading Stix to a team where he could possibly start. He would take the salary hit for one season, but with a better playing time situation and/or starting spot, could give him much more money the following season. We can't offer him the starting spot here if he is going to play the 5.
But what team would want to give up assets now, for a guy they can sign in the offseason? And what team would offer Stix a starting spot, or a significantly larger role? I just don't see any team doing that now.

So you are probably right, where we just sit on him until the offseason, and hope the situation here is better than any other team can offer. Suns blew this contract though.

[Saberestar]

Can we do some "trick" in the summer to get him back?

I am thinking that we can offer him just a one year deal for $4.6M and then we can have a non-official agreement with him and his agent for 2023 giving him something like $60/4 years.

It just an idea if he continues playing great for us. Has happened something like that before?

Yeah, and teams have lost draft picks because of it. You can't offer FA's deals in advance. Besides, I am sure next year we can still only offer what he would have made with his option since he would still be under his rookie deal with us, which is better because a 4/$60 sound like way too much too early anyway.

If Marks is right that no other team can offer more than the team option for next year either, then I think that really helps us in re-signing him. I am unsure that is correct though as I thought other teams could offer him more and we were at a disadvantage there.

I think you misunderstood Marks. He said that the Suns or any team trading for him this season can only pay him $4.6M next year. The rest of the league can pay him much more than that.

Yeah, we can't do any trick (my idea is horrible, I know) to offer him a nice contract so I think he will be gone. Teams will offer him real money, he is 21 years old and he keeps improving.

But we need to enjoy the present time and he can be a factor THIS season fighting for the championship.

[bwgood77]

Can we do some "trick" in the summer to get him back?

I am thinking that we can offer him just a one year deal for $4.6M and then we can have a non-official agreement with him and his agent for 2023 giving him something like $60/4 years.

It just an idea if he continues playing great for us. Has happened something like that before?

Yeah, and teams have lost draft picks because of it. You can't offer FA's deals in advance. Besides, I am sure next year we can still only offer what he would have made with his option since he would still be under his rookie deal with us, which is better because a 4/$60 sound like way too much too early anyway.

If Marks is right that no other team can offer more than the team option for next year either, then I think that really helps us in re-signing him. I am unsure that is correct though as I thought other teams could offer him more and we were at a disadvantage there.

I think you misunderstood Marks. He said that the Suns or any team trading for him this season can only pay him $4.6M next year. The rest of the league can pay him much more than that.

Yeah, we can't do any trick (my idea is horrible, I know) to offer him a nice contract so I think he will be gone. Teams will offer him real money, he is 21 years old and he keeps improving.

But we need to enjoy the present time and he can be a factor THIS season fighting for the championship.

Oh, ok, I misread. I don't think he'd get much more based on a few games and Ayton should be back if not next game, the one after, and JaVale soon after that, which would likely reduce him to spot minutes again.

[RunDogGun]

Yeah, and teams have lost draft picks because of it. You can't offer FA's deals in advance. Besides, I am sure next year we can still only offer what he would have made with his option since he would still be under his rookie deal with us, which is better because a 4/$60 sound like way too much too early anyway.

If Marks is right that no other team can offer more than the team option for next year either, then I think that really helps us in re-signing him. I am unsure that is correct though as I thought other teams could offer him more and we were at a disadvantage there.

From what I read, I think its only the team he finishes the season with, that is on that restriction of salary. Strange situation, and it would be interesting to hear the logic of not picking up his option, while still not having DA locked up with an extension. It really kills any trade deal involving Stix this season, which many had him and Saric together as a package.

Yeah, as I've always said, his trade value is much better if the trading team had option rights without anyone else having them. Not entirely sure why people feel otherwise on that front.

I'd rather his trade value be lower though as I'd prefer keeping him and hoping we can re-sign him.

I don't think we can control his trade value at this point. That Charlotte game with two highlights and his current four game stats, will get him noticed across the league. High motor young big, who boards and has range to the three, can get a solid contract on many teams in the league.

[RunDogGun]

Can we do some "trick" in the summer to get him back?

I am thinking that we can offer him just a one year deal for $4.6M and then we can have a non-official agreement with him and his agent for 2023 giving him something like $60/4 years.

It just an idea if he continues playing great for us. Has happened something like that before?

Yeah, and teams have lost draft picks because of it. You can't offer FA's deals in advance. Besides, I am sure next year we can still only offer what he would have made with his option since he would still be under his rookie deal with us, which is better because a 4/$60 sound like way too much too early anyway.

If Marks is right that no other team can offer more than the team option for next year either, then I think that really helps us in re-signing him. I am unsure that is correct though as I thought other teams could offer him more and we were at a disadvantage there.

I think you misunderstood Marks. He said that the Suns or any team trading for him this season can only pay him $4.6M next year. The rest of the league can pay him much more than that.

Yeah, we can't do any trick (my idea is horrible, I know) to offer him a nice contract so I think he will be gone. Teams will offer him real money, he is 21 years old and he keeps improving.

But we need to enjoy the present time and he can be a factor THIS season fighting for the championship.

And then the only thing we could hope for would be the situation here in PHX. Is playing for Monty, Paul, Booker and our squad and being on a team in the discussion for a chip enough to wait a year for a better pay day? Can we offer him a contract where we complete the one year of $4.6 mil, and maybe a second player option?

I just hope that we don't push Jalen back to getting a few minutes a game when DA and McGee return, knowing what Stix can do with minutes with starters. The only thing that I see working for us, is if he gets a more significant role, minutes with Paul, and we try and make up for not picking up his third year.

Or are we just getting caught up in the hype, and concerned about crap that won't mean much this summer?

[bigfoot]

Not sure why everyone is up in arms over a third-string center. He can't play the modern power forward position. He couldn't beat out Kaminsky earlier in the season. He's had similar stats to Ayton, McGee, and Frank when playing similar minutes.

We have a long-term starting center already in Ayton. McGee, Kaminsky, and/or Saric would offer much more than Smith next year. The guy would never have cracked the rotation without COVID plus injuries. Couple that with the Point God effect and that fact the Suns are only 2-2 with him playing significant minutes.

The sky is not falling. I'm more worried about the Suns' ability to pay Cam Johnson.

[bwgood77]

Not sure why everyone is up in arms over a third-string center. He can't play the modern power forward position. He couldn't beat out Kaminsky earlier in the season. He's had similar stats to Ayton, McGee, and Frank when playing similar minutes.

We have a long-term starting center already in Ayton. McGee, Kaminsky, and/or Saric would offer much more than Smith next year. The guy would never have cracked the rotation without COVID plus injuries. Couple that with the Point God effect and that fact the Suns are only 2-2 with him playing significant minutes.

The sky is not falling. I'm more worried about the Suns' ability to pay Cam Johnson.

There is a good chance Smith would offer more than Kaminsky or even an injured Saric coming back. He is far more athletic, a far better rebounder and probably a better defender all ready, particularly around the rim.

You are judging him after his first 2-3 games of playing a lot of minutes so he is bound to get a lot better.

[lilfishi22]

I've been impressed in the minutes he's gotten this season but we're getting a little ahead of ourselves. I know Sabre was just throwing out the 60/4 but even putting out those kinds of numbers seem incredibly premature especially after a handful of good games.

The $4.6m he was due next season still feels like a considerable premium for a guy with very little experience and quite honestly, his stats (esp scoring) is likely to have been inflated by playing in a good offense and next to CP3. Any team without an elite passing PG would be wary about throwing relatively big offers to Smith given his only real and reliable skill set right now is rebounding. We also have to see what the rotation will be like once the bigs, including Frank, is healthy again. My point is that I do think retaining him isn't out of the question.

[thamadkant]

Honestly the whole smith saga is confusing. From why they had him that high on their board to why you decide he can't play after a rookie year where he was both hurt and out with covid. Like if you liked a guy enough to take him 10 what changed so much in a year he didn't really play? Just a weird situation and one we might never know the full story.

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simple. McGee was signed for vet minimum for a year. Sarver and Jones couldnt justify Stix getting 5 million and not playing. Long term he's better than McGee for the Suns. Stix shooting form has potential to be reliable and his 3pt shot has potential... he seems to be rushing those shots when he realizes not many can block his 3pt shot he would improve...think Brook Lopez and Ibaka.

Its a situation thing.

But my stance and my hope.... is that Stix eventually replaces McGee next season and maybe sign Biyombo for cheap on veteran's mininum... keep Saric, extend Ayton and Johnson.... trade Shamet (lol) for someone who is more consistent off the bench, maybe a LaVert who can create for himself and has aggression.

[Frank Lee]

With a healthy squad, Smith sees no minutes. Essentially, he is now taking Shanks place.... which he could do again next yr.
But frankly, even next yr his minutes will be spot only. He may move up the big man pecking order if one of McGee or The Smack (I’ve already penciled him in) exit, and he could leapfrog fragile Saric. We’ll deal with the particulars in the off season. This yr is the only one that matters when you are on CP time. Not going to be bothered about all the whys and what if’s concerning his non extension. He’s not gone yet, and the fact that he is contributing is good right now.

Further more, if McGee walks, it becomes much easier to justify the full nut to Jalen... but just for comparison, RoLo signed for similar dough. One thing is, whoever we sign will want to be here for more than just money.