NBA: A way-too-early reassessment of the top 10 picks in the 2020 draft
Pick No. 10 (PHX): Jalen Smith, PF/C
Phoenix has risen from the ashes (super obvious but how could I resist) of the NBA cellar to become genuine playoff competitors. They gave up very little in the grand scheme of things for Chris Paul. They have saddled onto their new point guard to an 11-8 record, good for fifth in the West. CP3 and Devin Booker make up one of the nastiest backcourt duos in the league.
Mikal Bridges looks like baby Kawhi on defense and has exploded on offense at times this year. Deandre Ayton doesn’t look as good as I thought he would with Chris Paul at the helm of the offense but he is still a positive contributor to the team.
Smith has only played five games so far so it is not entirely fair to critique him or his play. Even with that, I don’t really get the pick here? I mean, Smith profiles as a good paint defender and a good shooter, making him the perfect prototypical small-ball center. But between Deandre Ayton and Cameron Johnson, the Suns have answers there. Booker, Bridges, and Johnson are all 24. Ayton is 22. The Suns should have focused on getting a potential heir to CP3’s spot (he’s 35) or trading the pick for an immediate contributor.
Verdict: Smith could still become an incredible small-ball center or fit really well next to Ayton in the long run. Should that happen, you can disregard this cute little article I wrote. I just believe that PHX did not utilize this pick the way they should and could have in this very important season for the franchise.
Next. NBA Trade Rumors: 9 under-the-radar candidates that could help contenders. dark
That’s it. The main takeaway I guess is that half the teams in the top 10 should be kicking themselves for not taking Tyrese Haliburton. That and everyone outside of the top 3 is still a massive question mark in terms of what they bring to the table. If I made too much fun of your favorite team, they probably deserved it. Thanks for reading, homies!