Suns decline Jalen Smith option

[Don7]

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[righterwriter]

Is that Will Smith's son?

[DroseReturnChi]

this is shocking. phx clearly doesnt want any development.

[Harry Garris]

Seems a bit early to give up on a young and talented big man. Bigs often take a few years to get their feet under them and become productive players, and there's often a lot of reward for teams that are willing to have patience and wait it out. Christian Wood for example.

[murphyslamz]

He seemed like reach on draft day. They could have had Haliburton, Anthony, Achiuwa, Stewart, Maxey, or Bey. Oh well, they made the finals last season so I cant knock em too much

[dirkforpres]

Robert Sarver strikes again

[Jadoogar]

Devin Vessell, Haliburton, Cole Anthony, Kira Lewis, Aaron Nesmith, Isaiah Stewart, Poku, Josh Green, Saddiq Bey and Precious Achuiwa were the next 10 picks

This was such a bad pick right from the beginning. Why would you draft a backup center with a top 10 pick?

[draftnightsuit]

So a top 10 pick who has shown lots of potential when given the chance to play, and can still be kept on a rookie deal… and you decline his option?

Sarver is intentionally sabotaging this team.

[UcanUwill]

Seems a bit early to give up on a young and talented big man. Bigs often take a few years to get their feet under them and become productive players, and there's often a lot of reward for teams that are willing to have patience and wait it out. Christian Wood for example.

They arent giving up, seems like they are just cheap. Why even own NBA team if you do not want to spend, its not an investment.

[Pelon chingon]

Right decision. Players who dont show signs of improvement likely never will.

[Ballerhogger]

this is shocking. phx clearly doesnt want any development.

Probably going pay ayton

[draftnightsuit]

Devin Vessell, Haliburton, Cole Anthony, Kira Lewis, Aaron Nesmith, Isaiah Stewart, Poku, Josh Green, Saddiq Bey and Precious Achuiwa were the next 10 picks

This was such a bad pick right from the beginning. Why would you draft a backup center with a top 10 pick?

I think you might be missing the point. It doesn’t matter who they drafted. Even if the Suns picked any of those other players, they would be parked on the benched and have their option declined. Then people would question why they didn’t draft someone else.

[Ballerhogger]

He seemed like reach on draft day. They could have had Haliburton, Anthony, Achiuwa, Stewart, Maxey, or Bey. Oh well, they made the finals last season so I cant knock em too much

They could have had ant man??? Wait what

[mg]

Sarver just paid CP3 and Bridges. They still need to pay Ayton. It's definitely a money decision.

[bwgood77]

Devin Vessell, Haliburton, Cole Anthony, Kira Lewis, Aaron Nesmith, Isaiah Stewart, Poku, Josh Green, Saddiq Bey and Precious Achuiwa were the next 10 picks

This was such a bad pick right from the beginning. Why would you draft a backup center with a top 10 pick?

This as a dumb pick, primarily with Haliburton on the board. I think they liked Bane too and maybe Bey. I know they liked Nesmith. Many of us like Vassell.

Anyway, still dumb to decline the option. He is a solid rebounder, shot blocker and can hit the 3.

They have even spoke highly of him.

Especially dumb after giving Shamet 4/$43.

But I suppose they worry about the tax.

They seem to have an aversion to wanting to pay bigs.

[DroseReturnChi]

Seems a bit early to give up on a young and talented big man. Bigs often take a few years to get their feet under them and become productive players, and there's often a lot of reward for teams that are willing to have patience and wait it out. Christian Wood for example.

They arent giving up, seems like they are just cheap. Why even own NBA team if you do not want to spend, its not an investment.

seems like both. man i hate cheap teams. as much as jalen was a bust he is insurance if ayton goes down.

[DaFan334]

Sarver just paid CP3 and Bridges. They still need to pay Ayton. It's definitely a money decision.

He would have still been on a rookie contract. That shouldn't be enough money to move the needle that much.

[Richard4444]

He was supposed to be a stretch PF. I thought he would be a good late first-round option. He was a reach in the 10th spot. I suppose he is too heavy to be a PF in the new NBA.

Suns need to dump some salary to avoid luxury. I am not sure he is really bad. But he is for sure too much raw for a title contender.

I knew he was in the trade block. I suppose The Suns did not find any interesting trade before declining his option. His 5M salary is too much for a raw player who never sees the floor. Now, the risk is smaller because if he stinks, the new team will not have to invest next season's cap space.

It would be interesting for the team and the player if some team trades for him now in a salary dump move. It can be a good reclamation project.

[Jadoogar]

Devin Vessell, Haliburton, Cole Anthony, Kira Lewis, Aaron Nesmith, Isaiah Stewart, Poku, Josh Green, Saddiq Bey and Precious Achuiwa were the next 10 picks

This was such a bad pick right from the beginning. Why would you draft a backup center with a top 10 pick?

I think you might be missing the point. It doesn’t matter who they drafted. Even if the Suns picked any of those other players, they would be parked on the benched and have their option declined. Then people would question why they didn’t draft someone else.

i disagree. They were clearly set at center with Ayton, Smith was never going to get an opportunity right away. Wings and guards naturally have more options because there are most spots for them to play.

[bstein14]

He's shown much more than Killian Hayes, who was drafted 3 spots higher and got his 3rd year $5.5 million option picked up.