Jalen Smith

Smith's productivity took off last season following his Feb. 10 trade from Phoenix to Indiana. Prior to the move, the Maryland alum had shown flashes of upside -- most significantly, during a four-game stretch of starts around the turn of the new year during which he put up 17.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per contest -- but he moved in and out of the rotation and averaged under 14 minutes in the games during which he saw the court. The shift to the Pacers resulted in substantially more opportunity for Smith, as he averaged nearly 25 minutes per contest and produced 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 three-pointers and 1.0 blocks with a 53.1/37.3/76.0 shooting split. Those numbers gave him fantasy viability, and he could be on the radar as a late-round target in drafts this season. Smith took less money to re-sign with Indiana, expecting he'll get a shot as the team's starting power forward. It's worth noting that Smith never took the court with center Myles Turner last season, as the latter didn't play after mid-January due to a foot injury. There remains a strong possibility that Turner -- heading into the final season of an $80 million, four-year extension -- will be traded, which would further open an opportunity for Smith to blossom.

Jalen Smith is fresh off an impressive Summer League, where he led all players in both overall rebounds (12.5) and offensive rebounds (5.0) and led the Suns in points per game (16.3). This year, Smith will be looking to break into the Suns' rotation as one of their big men who can back up Deandre Ayton as well as play the four. Last year, the 10th pick rookie didn't have much of an impact. He missed 12 of the team's first 14 games, first with an ankle injury and then with a positive COVID test, and was subsequently sent to the G League so he could continue to hone his game. Overall, Smith played in 27 games at the NBA level and averaged just 5.8 minutes, 2.0 points, and 1.4 rebounds per game. This year presents a big opportunity for Smith. Expectations are high, and the Suns need his size and defensive presence when Ayton is off the floor. If he can show similar rebounding ability and offensive skills to what he revealed in Summer League, Smith could have a solid role and greater impact this year, but probably still not fantasy-worthy.

Smith was drafted earlier than many had prognosticated, and he'll join an up-and-coming Suns team that has hopes of making the playoffs this year. The Maryland product averaged a double-double during his sophomore season at the collegiate level, posting 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 53.8 percent shooting with the Terrapins. He also has some upside as a three-point shooter, as evidenced by his hitting 36.8 percent of his 87 attempts last season. Smith will join a crowded center position for Phoenix behind Deandre Ayton, though it's possible the team will try to play the two together. Still, it doesn't seem like Smith will have a ton of fantasy relevance as a rookie and will probably only be worth in a look in the deepest of leagues.