76ers

NBA Rumors: Jalen Smith, Suns, Paul Millsap, 76ers, Kings

January 23, 2022

Suns center/forward Jalen Smith said he is trying to stay focused despite the constant trade rumors surrounding his name.

“I just try to stay away from it as best as I can, just continue to control what I can control,” he said on PHNX Suns Podcast. “At the end of the day it’s outside noise, nothing happens until it actually happens. Everyday I just come here and do my job, and trying to get better each and every day.”

Smith, 21, is 6-foot-10 and is making significantly more of a contribution this season, his second in the NBA. The No. 10 overall pick in 2020, he is averaging 6.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in the first 22 games.

He appeared in just 27 games all of last season, leading to his name churning on the offseason rumor mill. He remains there today, with the Feb. 10 deadline fast approaching.

The Celtics are one team that’s believed to have at least a passing interest in Smith.

Around the NBA

Both Suns guard Cameron Payne and forward Jae Crowder left Saturday’s win over the Pacers with wrist injuries, as relayed by Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “I was mad because it was similar plays,” point guard Chris Paul told reporters. “To see Cam down down in the first half, then to see Jae go down, it’s tough, man. We’ve got a tight-knit group over here and we know how hard guys work. Just always tough to see that.” Updates on both players are expected later Sunday.
In case you missed it, the Nets and Paul Millsap have agreed to try to find a trade for the veteran forward. Chris Crouse of FortyEight Minutes suggested three potential destinations for Millsap, with one being the Warriors.
Meanwhile, the 76ers continue to look to deal guard/forward Ben Simmons, but that could remain a difficult task ahead of the deadline, per reports. With that in mind, Michael Klaskey-Blomain of CBS Sports wrote about three trades the Sixers could make that don’t involve Simmons.
In case you missed it, Part II: The Kings are among the teams that reportedly remain interested in a Simmons deal. They also have been repeatedly linked to Pacers power forward Domantas Sabonis. But from the sounds of things, they have made it clear they are unwilling to part with guards De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton. The rest of the roster, however, is available.