After making the 2021 NBA Finals, the Phoenix Suns appear very much in win-now mode. And in their mind, improving now doesn’t appear to be a great option at the No. 29 pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft, as the team has agreed to send the pick and guard Jevon Carter to the Brooklyn Nets for guard Landry Shamet, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Brooklyn used the No. 29 selection on North Carolina center Day’Ron Sharpe.
The 24-year-old Shamet was a first-round pick (26th overall) of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018 and has developed into one of the league’s best reserve three-point shooters.
He hit 38.7% of his threes in 61 games for Brooklyn last year, taking 5.5 shots out of his 7.5 attempts per game from long range.
Shamet averaged 9.3 points and 1.6 assists per game and could be a piece to pair next to either Devin Booker or Chris Paul off the bench. While he is not a true on-ball point guard, he is capable of handling the ball to some degree and making good decisions, which is reflected in a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio over his four-year career.
His acquisition by the Suns restocks the depth chart with Carter — who was left out of the playoff rotation — now headed to the Nets.
Phoenix also faces losing backup point guard Cameron Payne, plus Langston Galloway and E’Twaun Moore in free agency.
Shamet has one year and $3.8 million remaining on his deal before he becomes a restricted free agent. He is able to sign an extension on that starting Aug. 6, during the free agency signing period.
Phoenix sent away Carter’s contract that will pay out $3.7 million this year and $3.9 million next.
While Carter became a defensive spark plus off the bench and consistent three-point shooter, he was limited by not being able to threaten defenses as a ball handler.
The Suns do not own another pick in the 2021 draft, meaning their day could end up being quiet unless there is an opportunity to move back into the action Thursday night.
Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station for all things Suns before and during the draft, which begins at 5 p.m.