I had to do a double-take when I first discovered this, but as far as I can tell... it’s true. Since the year 2009, only three players selected in the lottery have seen their third-year player option declined. Jalen Smith is one of those three. Can you guess the other two?
Let’s start with Kendall Marshall who the Suns selected 13th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. Next up on this infamous list? None other than Earl Clark who the Phoenix Suns took with the 14th overall in 2009.