NBA Draft 2020: Biggest steals and reaches from 1st round selections
By Joe Casey
Reach: Jalen Smith (Maryland) selected #10 by the Suns
The second reach of the draft occurred six picks later when the Phoenix Suns selected Jalen Smith 10th overall. Smith was a major player at Maryland and was one of the main reasons for their success over the two years he was apart of the program. Smith took a major leap from his freshman to sophomore year averaging a double-double over 31 games.
As the best big man on the board after Wiseman, Okongwu and Williams were selected the Suns made a sensible insurance pick to back up franchise cornerstone DeAndre Ayton. Smith should bring consistency and a steady hand off the bench allowing Ayton to gain necessary rest throughout the accelerated season.
With the possible departure of current backup big man Aaron Baynes, Smith will come into the team with an already defined role which should aid in his growth and allow him to gain essential development minutes immediately.
Even though Smith seems to be a perfect bench fit and could be considered the best big available the reason that he is a reach is because of the other players on the board.
Recently adding Chris Paul helps the Suns starting lineup immediately and should help make them a playoff contender in the upcoming season. What Chris Paul did not bring to the team was the depth at the guard position.
According to the Phoenix depth chart, Jevon Carter and Elie Okobo currently are considered the second unit guards on the team. It arguably should have been more important for Phoenix to address the guard position rather than taking a back up center with the 10th pick.
Looking at the board, both Tyrese Haliburton and Devin Vassell were still available during the Suns’ selection. Both of these players could have solidified the guard position and helped alleviate the pressure on Devin Booker and Chris Paul in the upcoming season.
Smith will still be able to help the Suns and should be a perfect bench complement for DeAndre Ayton yet, this pick could frustrate the franchise for years to come as both Haliburton and Vassell have the tools to become stars. Phoenix could have looked to fill the backup center position with a veteran mentor while selecting a young guard to pair with Booker after Chris Paul retires.
The decision to select Smith will help the team alleviate DeAndre Ayton’s minutes and looks to be a long term solution to the backup center position, even still the organization could be frustrated with their pick for years to come.