Jalen Smith's Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Suns Roster

The Phoenix Suns selected Maryland star Jalen Smith with the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Jalen Smith

Position: PF/C

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 225

Pro Comparison: Myles Turner

Scouting Report: Stretch 5 rim-protectors are rare, and Jalen Smith fits the description. He's poised to join the club of valued bigs who average at least one three-pointer and block per game. He improved his body and shot tremendously after his freshman season, and now he looks ready to improve an NBA lineup's spacing and interior defense.

Suns Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Chris Paul, PG: $41.4M (2022)

Devin Booker, SG: $31.7M (2024)

Deandre Ayton, C: $9.2M (2022)

Frank Kaminsky, PF: $4.8M (2021)

Cameron Johnson, SF: $4.1M (2023)

Mikal Bridges, SF: $4M (2022)

Cheick Diallo, PF: $1.7M (2021)

Elie Okobo, PG: $1.4M (2022)

Abdel Nader, SF: $1.4M (2021)

Jalen Smith, C: Rookie scale contract (2024)

Free Agents

Aron Baynes, C: UFA

Cheick Diallo, PF: Team option

Dario Saric, PF: RFA

Frank Kaminsky, PF: Team option

Jevon Carter, PG: RFA

Tariq Owens, PF: RFA

Cameron Payne, PG: Club option

A member of the Big Ten's All-Freshman team in 2019, Smith took his game up a level in 2019-20. He averaged 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while hitting 36.8 percent of his three-point opportunities, earning first-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive team nods.

Smith's improvement as a shooter helped raise his ceiling at the next level.

In his first year with the Terrapins, he was a 26.8 three-point shooter on 71 attempts. Not only did he take more shots (87) as a sophomore but also increased his efficiency to a noticeable degree.

Smith was listed as a forward for Maryland, but his size (6'10", 225 pounds) will allow him to shift between power forward and center.

Traditional centers have fallen out of vogue. The Detroit Pistons received pennies on the dollar when they traded Andre Drummond, a two-time All-Star to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Longtime veterans such as Brook Lopez and Marc Gasol have adapted their games to fit the current emphasis on spacing the floor, helping to give birth to the stretch 5.

Smith obviously has plenty of room to grow from the perimeter, but maintaining at least a mid-30 percent clip would be good enough to make opposing defenses respect the threat he poses.

Add that together with his ability to protect the rim, and the Baltimore native possesses two skills that make him effective in the right role. The combination is perfectly suited for the modern game.

Smith's inability to defend well away from the basket will limit his usage, particularly in pivotal moments. Opponents can take advantage of him in the pick and roll, a weakness that isn't uncommon for even more experienced big men in the NBA.

What Smith lacks in a high ceiling he makes up for with a solid baseline. At worst, he should emerge as a rotational center with situational value.

Adding Smith is an interesting move for the Suns considering they already have a franchise big man in Deandre Ayton, but Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer explained what Phoenix's rationale may have been with the move:

Ultimately, the rich are getting richer in Phoenix, who added Chris Paul via trade to run point and now have a talented big in Smith to round out the frontcourt rotation.