The quick turnaround for the Phoenix Suns this offseason begins with the NBA Draft on Thursday, but from there it won’t be long before some of the team’s younger players hit the court.
The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas will return after the COVID-19 pandemic caused a hiatus before the 2020-21 season, and a Suns team with a likely rising salary figure this year and beyond surely will prioritize the week-plus to develop or uncover backend roster talent.
Phoenix opens play Aug. 8 against the Los Angeles Lakers and have three more locked in games on the docket before tournament play, all against Western Conference foes.
The Suns will likely use their time in Las Vegas to get 2020 first-round pick Jalen Smith some run after the 10th overall selection in 2020 played in only 27 NBA games and 156 minutes his rookie season.
Smith scored 53 points and went 22-of-50 (44%) from the field while grabbing 37 boards and blocking five shots in total.
The 6-foot-10, 215-pound player out of Maryland became a rare lottery pick to be sent to the G League as a rookie. He appeared in six games for the Agua Caliente Clippers in the G League bubble and averaged 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds on 39% shooting.
He could potentially be joined on the Suns’ Summer League roster by guard Ty-Shon Alexander, who as a rookie this past season played for Phoenix on a two-way contract, as well as any draftees. The Suns hold the 29th pick heading into Thursday’s selections.
Summer League games will run from Aug. 8 through Aug. 17, and each team will play at least five games — four to determine seeding and at least one tournament-style game.
All of the games will air on ESPN or NBA TV. They will also stream on the ESPN app.
Fans who want to attend games in Las Vegas can purchase tickets at NBA.com/events.
Suns’ NBA Summer League schedule released for 2021
Aug. 8: Lakers vs. Suns – 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2) Thomas & Mack Center
Aug. 9: Suns vs. Jazz – 7 p.m. (NBA TV) Thomas & Mack Center
Aug. 12: Suns vs. Nuggets – 7 p.m. (NBA TV) Thomas & Mack Center
Aug. 14: Trail Blazers vs. Suns – 6 p.m. (NBA TV) COX Pavilion