Jalen Smith – Phoenix Suns

Another young talent that the Pelicans could pursue that is on the trade block this year is Phoenix Suns’ big man Jalen Smith. The Suns drafted Smith 10th overall last season, but he does not appear to be in their long-term plans anymore after the team declined his 2022-23 team option prior to the start of this season. 

Now essentially being in the final year of his contract, Jalen Smith is only owed $4.4M this season and can be acquired for a very small price. Much like Bol Bol, if the Pelicans can get him for like a second-round pick, then they might as well take a swing on a young player like Smith, but there is no immediate need to go after him. 

At the NBA-level, Jalen Smith has shown no improvements over the last year or so and does not play to his size. Standing 6’10”, Smith tends to get bullied around in the paint and can be very clumsy with the ball at times. 

Assuming he is not a lost cause, maybe the Pelicans would be able to find something in Jalen Smith that the Phoenix Suns were unable to, but this is just not worth the risk of investment. 

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Of the players the Pelicans would have to give up to acquire Jalen Smith, all of them are young talents in this team’s development system, so why would they want to give one of them up for what looks to be a young project in Smith? 

There are really no good moves for the Pelicans right now pertaining to the trade deadline and the best decision they can make is to leverage some of their veterans for draft picks and young players. 

Verdict: Pass