Jalen Smith news, highlights and other discussion

[Ghost of Kleine]

Cage (@ridiculouscage) Tweeted:
stix poster in beautiful slow motion https://t.co/LvBhgqvXuE

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[Saberestar]

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.

Well, my idea was offering $60M/4years AFTER next season if he accomplish some requirements and team/indivual stats but it's illegal.

For next season that would be a huge overpay, I agree on that...but $24M/3 years would be fair IMO and a good amount of teams can offer him around that.

[lilfishi22]

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[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.

Well, my idea was offering $60M/4years AFTER next season if he accomplish some requirements and team/indivual stats but it's illegal.

For next season that would be a huge overpay, I agree on that...but $24M/3 years would be fair IMO and a good amount of teams can offer him around that.

That's more than what we could offer ($4.6m) and also a massive overpay. That's almost non-tax payer MLE money. For that money, you should be getting a guy who's been in the league for some time and is a proven contributor. No matter how much you like him, there just hasn't been enough evidence to show he's worth that.

[Saberestar]

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.

Well, my idea was offering $60M/4years AFTER next season if he accomplish some requirements and team/indivual stats but it's illegal.

For next season that would be a huge overpay, I agree on that...but $24M/3 years would be fair IMO and a good amount of teams can offer him around that.

That's more than what we could offer ($4.6m) and also a massive overpay. That's almost non-tax payer MLE money. For that money, you should be getting a guy who's been in the league for some time and is a proven contributor. No matter how much you like him, there just hasn't been enough evidence to show he's worth that.

Yeah, I know, that is why I think he will be gone after this season.

Teams like the Pistons, the Rockets or the Thunder would prefer to pay that money to a 22yo PF/C with potential rather than to a veteran.

[Saberestar]

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.

McGee has a $5M contract.

[lilfishi22]

Well, my idea was offering $60M/4years AFTER next season if he accomplish some requirements and team/indivual stats but it's illegal.

For next season that would be a huge overpay, I agree on that...but $24M/3 years would be fair IMO and a good amount of teams can offer him around that.

That's more than what we could offer ($4.6m) and also a massive overpay. That's almost non-tax payer MLE money. For that money, you should be getting a guy who's been in the league for some time and is a proven contributor. No matter how much you like him, there just hasn't been enough evidence to show he's worth that.

Yeah, I know, that is why I think he will be gone after this season.

Teams like the Pistons, the Rockets or the Thunder would prefer to pay that money to a 22yo PF/C with potential rather than to a veteran.

Maybe but I doubt it. He still hasn't proven anything, certainly not enough for another team to take an $8m a year gamble on him.

Let's just remember for one hot second that he's played four above average games so far. Four. Promising four games but we're talking four games. Happy to revisit after he's played a bunch more above average games but until then, I feel like we're getting way ahead of ourselves.

[Saberestar]

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?

Everything can happen. He can play bad the next few games and go back to the bench for the rest of the season...or he can establish himself as a rotation player an play minutes night in and night out.

We will see , but these last four nice consecutive games are a nice proof of his true potential as a player.

[RunDogGun]

Everything can happen. He can play bad the next few games and go back to the bench for the rest of the season...or he can establish himself as a rotation player an play minutes night in and night out.

We will see , but these last four nice consecutive games are a nice proof of his true potential as a player.

It will also depend on how Monty uses Stix and who plays with him at point.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Well, my idea was offering $60M/4years AFTER next season if he accomplish some requirements and team/indivual stats but it's illegal.

For next season that would be a huge overpay, I agree on that...but $24M/3 years would be fair IMO and a good amount of teams can offer him around that.

That's more than what we could offer ($4.6m) and also a massive overpay. That's almost non-tax payer MLE money. For that money, you should be getting a guy who's been in the league for some time and is a proven contributor. No matter how much you like him, there just hasn't been enough evidence to show he's worth that.

Yeah, I know, that is why I think he will be gone after this season.

Teams like the Pistons, the Rockets or the Thunder would prefer to pay that money to a 22yo PF/C with potential rather than to a veteran.

You both make very salient points.
Personally I have his market value IF he maintains thos modicum of production in the 5-7 range. Now that may seem like a lot to most here given the small sample size so far. However, I'm in agreement with Sabrestar here in that there'll be teams willing to overpay a bit for double/ double potential and versatility in a big. In each free agency there's always one or two teams that do this for whatever reason, be it their not being a free agent destination, GM taking an interest in skillset and potential, or just liking the premise of fit.

Also, this coming free agency looks to be somewhat shallow again. Whose ( what other bigs/ talent) is he really competing against? For any teams doing research on Smith, they can actually track similar production all the way back to his college days at Maryland. So the parallels for continuing consistency are there IF ONLY playing time is offered. His shooting currently sucks, but his mechanics are really good, and his playing time regardless of Covid scenario is STILL playing against other teams starters and nearly averaging a double / double without much build up ( in game experience). It won't be that difficult for some teams to envision or project or convince themselves of very solid outcomes if the opportunity is actually available in a different environment from ours. These factors should put him solidly in that 5-7 range reasonably.

[RunDogGun]

Maybe but I doubt it. He still hasn't proven anything, certainly not enough for another team to take an $8m a year gamble on him.

Let's just remember for one hot second that he's played four above average games so far. Four. Promising four games but we're talking four games. Happy to revisit after he's played a bunch more above average games but until then, I feel like we're getting way ahead of ourselves.

Maybe we are, but looking at the games where he has received 20-29 mins (5 games, 2 starts) he is averaging 14/10. That is averaging 25 mins/gm, so that fits easily in the bench minute role. Granted, I doubt other teams were concerned or scouted him that much. If that changes, and teams put him higher of concern, the defense he faces will be tougher. I personally feel he will only get better, or at least stay similar to those five games if given around 20-23 mins/gm. The more he gets to play with Paul the better.

[cberry78]

I just really want to know how he looks when he's not the "best" big on the floor for the Suns. I want to see how he looks playing with DA, McGee, or Jae.....right now he's putting up 15/10 as really the only big on the floor - I still see him as more of a 4 than a 5.

A lineup of CP3/Book/(Mikal or Cam)/Smith/DA is what I really want to see.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I just really want to know how he looks when he's not the "best" big on the floor for the Suns. I want to see how he looks playing with DA, McGee, or Jae.....right now he's putting up 15/10 as really the only big on the floor - I still see him as more of a 4 than a 5.

A lineup of CP3/Book/(Mikal or Cam)/Smith/DA is what I really want to see.

I agree that I want to see him on the floor in that capacity as well! I just hope that Williams has the willingness to actually give him minutes now that he's shown productivity and a modicum of consistency and promise for the role that he was drafted by Jones. Honestly I rather have more depth and versatility in our frontcourt than less with both Saric and Ksminsky likely out for the entire season!

[RunDogGun]

I just really want to know how he looks when he's not the "best" big on the floor for the Suns. I want to see how he looks playing with DA, McGee, or Jae.....right now he's putting up 15/10 as really the only big on the floor - I still see him as more of a 4 than a 5.

A lineup of CP3/Book/(Mikal or Cam)/Smith/DA is what I really want to see.

He just hasn't been given the minutes to show that. The Boston game a few weeks ago where we won is really the only other game besides the last four, now five, where Jalen has played more than 20 minutes. In that game he shot 3 for 8, but also went 1-6 from three. I am not sure why he took so many threes or remember how those shots looked, but he did have 9 boards, 1 ast, 1 steal, 2 blocks in 21 minutes. DA didn't play, but McGee started as well as Crowder.

Overall, Jalen is definitely benefitting from playing with the starting unit, and lets face it, CamJo, opens the middle with his shooting, which gives both Book and CP3 room to move and make plays happen for guys like Stix. I hope he keeps doing well, and I hope we can keep him.

[Fo-Real]

Love how this kid rose up with Ayton, McGee and Crowder out. But I hate to point out that he super elevated his value JUST before Bismack Biyambo appeared out of the darkness to destroy rims!! Hate to see the kid traded but Ayton, McGee and Bismack is a CRAZY 3 man center rotation, I hope he can settle in at Pf.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

If there's a team that is willing to give up value for Jalen - a team with a spot for him at C - we should seriously consider it. He's useful insurance, but ultimately a luxury given our depth at C.

To have any chance at re-signing him, we'll have to promise him the backup C spot - which we could, in theory. But my guess is he'd look elsewhere, for a roster that gives him a path to being a starter.

In all likelihood he won't play when it matters and we'll lose him for nothing this summer. Obviously, we should have picked up his option. If no one's willing to offer anything in trade (and if anyone's interested, it's hard to imagine they'd offer much) then we'll have completely (rather than mostly) wasted a solid draft pick.

[thamadkant]

If Suns are keen on Biyombo on a multi-year contract and unsure McGee will come back (he has drawn interest from teams for sure), then Stix is the proper player to retain because his developing 3pt shot and PF potential is still there and suits Suns needs when they need to go big against certain teams (Bucks).

[Mulhollanddrive]

I'm happy with McGee and Biyombo coming back while we're in win now mode, if Ayton gets early fouls and it's game 7 against Gobert, Jokic or Davis, we need playable size, it would be unfair to Smith when we have experienced bodies as options.

[Slim Charless]

If Suns are keen on Biyombo on a multi-year contract and unsure McGee will come back (he has drawn interest from teams for sure), then Stix is the proper player to retain because his developing 3pt shot and PF potential is still there and suits Suns needs when they need to go big against certain teams (Bucks).

I think this is a lot of faith in Sarver to pay for Stix when the whole reason we voided his last year is due to Sarver's cheapness.

I'm don't think he pays to keep Stix and I think that he doesn't want to pay Ayton (but probably will) and will let Cam Johnson walk if it comes down to it.

[King4Day]

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I was at the game against the Hawks. My first, and only, Hawks game.
I do plan on going to see them play this year though. Already took off for work so I can make the drive.

On a side note, it's pretty crazy how great quality the 2nd video is. 50 years from now, people will be talking about legends of today, and will still be able to watch them, crystal clear.