10. Phoenix Suns, Jalen Smith
Grade: D+
The Phoenix Suns proved everyone wrong a year ago, selecting Cam Johnson earlier in the draft than anyone expected, even his teammate Coby White.
Cam was a reach but he turned out well and was a solid enough role player that he looks to be in their wing/big rotation for years to come.
I’m assuming that’s the same thought process with the Jalen Smith pick – draft the backup big man of the future and the Suns will have their 48 minutes of centre play consolidated with DeAndre Ayton and Smith. Or, are they playing into the Ayton fantasy that he can play a bit of power forward?
Either way, it seems like a misuse of assets to pick him with the tenth pick when the highest I had seen him go in mock drafts was 17th and lowest around the 25 area.
So even though the Suns have just done it before, drafted a role player with their high pick and it worked out, if this pick works out, they’ve just guaranteed themselves a backup for the future, potentially leaving starters on the board from positions in need with the next two picks.
Puzzling.