NBA Trade Deadline Watch: Could Jalen Smith Be a Sneaky Fit for the Suns?
The NBA trade deadline is less than a week away, and the action is heating up. With free agency losing its luster in the era of supermax contracts and punitive luxury tax rules, this stretch of the calendar has become the moment for teams to reshape their futures-or double down on the present.
Two teams already making waves: the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls. Cleveland made headlines by swinging a bold deal that brought in James Harden and Keon Ellis, while sending out De’Andre Hunter and Darius Garland. That’s a major shakeup for a team that’s been trying to find the right mix around its core.
But the Bulls? They’ve taken a different route.
Instead of chasing another play-in appearance, Chicago seems to be finally pulling the plug on a roster that’s been stuck in neutral. They’ve shipped out Dario Šarić in a deal that brought back Jaden Ivey, and they moved Nikola Vučević’s expiring contract to land Anfernee Simons.
Those aren’t win-now moves-they’re bets on upside and future flexibility.
And here’s where things get interesting: with Vučević gone, the Bulls are suddenly without a traditional center. Sure, they’ve got Zach Collins (6’9”) and Jalen Smith (6’8”)-both capable of playing the five in stretches-but it’s clear Chicago’s not done yet. Whether they’re looking to add size or continue flipping assets for long-term value, they’re a team to watch.
That brings us to the Phoenix Suns.
Phoenix could be a natural trade partner here. While no deal is imminent, one hypothetical floated recently has sparked debate: a potential reunion with Jalen Smith.
Now, if you’re a Suns fan, the name probably triggers some memories-and not all of them pleasant. Smith was the 10th overall pick in a draft that saw Tyrese Haliburton go just two spots later.
He never found his footing in Phoenix, playing just 56 games before being sent to Indiana in his second season. At the time, it felt like a miss.
But since then? Smith has quietly developed into a solid rotational big.
No, he hasn’t become a star. But he’s not a G-Leaguer either.
He’s turned himself into a stretch four who can rebound and knock down threes at an above-average clip. In fact, his current three-point percentage is better than the league average of 36%, and his 6.9 rebounds per game would rank second on the Suns-only behind Mark Williams.
This isn’t about chasing a blockbuster. This is about the kind of move that good teams make around the edges.
Smith wouldn’t need the ball to contribute. He’d bring size, shooting, and depth to a frontcourt that’s still searching for answers behind Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkić.
And yes, the chemistry question matters. The Suns have finally found some rhythm after a rocky start to the season.
Any move has to be weighed against the risk of disrupting that. That’s why the idea of giving up someone like Royce O’Neale in a deal like this gives many fans pause.
O’Neale has been a glue guy-versatile, tough, a respected voice in the locker room. Losing him wouldn’t be easy. And for some fans, that’s a dealbreaker.
Others, though, see the upside. Jalen Smith is still just 23.
He’s not the same player who flamed out in Phoenix the first time. He’s stronger, more confident, and more consistent.
He’s not going to change the Suns' identity overnight-but he might quietly make them better in the margins. And in a loaded Western Conference, those margins matter.
There’s also the possibility of reworking the deal. What if Phoenix could land Smith without giving up O’Neale-perhaps by offering a different rotation piece and a second-round pick? That’s the kind of creative thinking front offices need this time of year.
The reaction among Suns fans has been mixed, to say the least. Some are intrigued by Smith’s growth and shooting.
Others still see the ghost of a failed draft pick. That’s understandable.
But the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Jalen Smith isn’t Giannis. He’s not even a guaranteed playoff rotation player.
But he is a young, athletic big who can stretch the floor and rebound. And for a team like Phoenix-one that’s all-in on contending right now-those kinds of players can make a difference.
Whether this trade happens or not, it’s a reminder of the delicate balance contenders must strike: improving the roster without upsetting the chemistry that’s finally starting to click. The Suns don’t need to swing for the fences.
But a smart, under-the-radar move? That might be exactly what gets them over the top.