Since it's not as though I know Jalen Smith (or any other NBA player), certainly this is sheer speculation. But I would guess that Jalen Smith probably doesn't have DeAndre Ayton's maturity issues. Why not? Because when I read through Smith's biography, just one thing flashed out: military parentage. His father was a "Navy chief" [chief petty officer?]. I am supposing that a kid whose dad served in the military knows enough about discipline not to stay up all night playing his video games the night of a game. This, in addition to actually known fact that, as was being discussed, Smith took less money than he could have earned. And the Suns threw this away.
Carlisle said he went to meet with Stix parents and said they said they didn't want Stix skip steps. WTF? He a grown man in the NBA now why you talking to his parents?
But if you look at Stix previous moves that aligns with Stix choosing Maryland over Duke (who does that), his freshman year of college after a All Team frosh year & a great NCAA Tournament skipping submitting his name in the draft if only to get feedback (who does that). All the media blasted the decision saying it was stupid all while his college coach said his parents wanted him to stay 3 years because he wasn't mature enough & graduate. It just showed the amount of self awareness Stix had probably because he can handle the truth that probably told to him by his military dad.
It was the weirdest thing unlike the norm going on at the time with the FBI basketball pay scandal & now NIL bidding wars.
I thought ********* either they rich, crazy or highly disciplined from sacrifice the family made to support the dad who retired from the military. They were used to waiting & patiently working towards a goal.
So his decision didn't shock me as all. As the Pacers saw he was different & that's why he never complained about the Suns & the Suns too (including Jones, CP3, Green & even Monty said he was always working). May not be ready to take a spot but worked becsuse of his own doing but because he pops example & demand (per Stix mouth and interviews i read from his parents). Also thought that's why Jones was refusing trade requests for 2 years he knew what he had for the future. So Carlisle probably loved it more his parents didn't want Stix skipping steps.