Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech Basketball: Possible Landing Sports For Zhaire Smith

By Matthew Conner

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Zhaire Smith
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Zhaire Smith /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 2: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns carries the ball against the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden on December 2, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Suns 116-111. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 2: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns carries the ball against the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden on December 2, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Suns 116-111. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and as such, the focus of their draft coverage has been on who they will take with that selection.  It won’t be Zhaire Smith.

But that doesn’t mean he couldn’t still end up in Phoenix.  The Suns also have pick No. 16 in the first round and many believe Zhaire Smith could be there for them at that time.

Smith, worked out for the Suns just four days ago and many mock drafts have had Smith landing in Phoenix.  It is easy to see why the Suns would be interested.

The Suns were the worst defensive team in the NBA last year giving up over 110 points per game. Additionally, they ranked 27th in steals, 23rd in defensive rebounding percentage and 21st in blocks.  In other words, Zhaire Smith excels in quite a few areas of deficiency for the Suns.

Additionally, the Suns would not need Smith to be an instant offensive force. The Suns’ top five scorers from last year were guards/forwards led by  Devin Booker’s 24.9 points per game and T.J. Warren’s 19.6.

That means Zhaire Smith would be able to play alongside prolific offensive talent allowing him to concentrate on playing defense.   While he would be expected to contribute offensively, he would be able to do so while not being the focus of the opposition’s defense.

Using his athleticism and strength, Smith could easily take advantage of one-on-one matchups against other team’s weakest perimeter defenders.  Plus, the Suns will likely be adding an elite offensive big man like DaAndre Ayton with the first pick further easing any offensive load to be placed on Smith.

The Suns are a young team playing in the wide open Western Conference.  They need a perimeter defender like Zhaire Smith to help combat the firepower that exists in the west.

If Phoenix takes Smith, he would instantly be tasked with checking players like Steph Curry, James Harden and Russel Westbrook.  That would be a baptism by fire but it would also be fascinating to watch for Texas Tech basketball fans.

Home/Texas Tech Red Raiders News