A few hours before the opening of the free agency, Jalen Smith made his decision: he declines his $5.4 million player option. Translation: he is freeing himself from his contract with the Pacers and will therefore test the market this summer.
At 24 years old, the interior is coming off a season – the best of his career – averaging 9.9 points and 5.5 rebounds. All at 59% shooting (including 42% at 3-points) and 69% on free throws, in a replacement role limited to around 17 minutes of playing time.
His future is now likely to be written far from Indianapolis, because Pascal Siakam will extend as soon as the market opens and we will also have to decide on the Obi Toppin case. The leaders want to keep the same group, but everything will not be possible financially and it is the 10th choice of the 2020 Draft, out of the rotation in the playoffs, who risks paying the price.
Given his age and his efficiency in the game, Jalen Smith should not be short of suitors, provided he does not show himself to be too greedy on the salary…
| Jalen Smith | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | PHX | 27 | 6 | 44.0 | 23.5 | 71.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 2.0 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 51 | 18 | 50.3 | 32.8 | 76.5 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 9.2 |
| 2021-22 * | PHX | 29 | 13 | 46.0 | 23.1 | 76.9 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 4.8 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 6.0 |
| 2021-22 * | IND | 22 | 25 | 53.1 | 37.3 | 76.0 | 2.1 | 5.6 | 7.6 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 13.4 |
| 2022-23 | IND | 68 | 19 | 47.6 | 28.3 | 75.9 | 1.9 | 3.9 | 5.8 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 9.4 |
| 2023-24 | IND | 61 | 17 | 59.2 | 42.4 | 69.2 | 1.8 | 3.7 | 5.5 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 9.9 |
| Total | 207 | 17 | 51.7 | 33.5 | 74.0 | 1.7 | 3.5 | 5.2 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 8.5 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
