Shams: Undrafted guard Jalen Lecque headed to Phoenix on a four-year deal

While Suns fans waited with baited breath to see if a pick in the 50s headed to Phoenix in a potential Josh Jackson deal, the Suns were instead on the phone with the representatives of Jalen Lecque, a high school guard who reclassified to the 2019 class this spring and went undrafted Thursday night.

Lecque was originally pondering reclassifying to the 2018 class but instead opted for a fifth year of high school at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire before declaring for the 2019 draft. According to Shams Charania, he will now sign a four-year contract with the Phoenix Suns for four years, two of which will be guaranteed.

At the draft combine back in May, Lecque was unremarkable in the two scrimmages but tested off the charts as an athlete. In the vertical leap, Lecque got up to 43 inches, the highest of any prospect at the event in Chicago. His quickness tests were slightly less impressive but Lecque still projects as one of the better backcourt athletes in the class. He just turned 19.

Signing him right away for two guaranteed years is surprising considering that the Suns just gave similar contract to Elie Okobo and De’Anthony Melton last year, who are both raw and play the same position as Lecque. According to Early Bird Rights, Lecque is projected to make $897,158 next season, the absolute minimum salary a player can earn in the NBA, generally only given to rookie second-round picks.

This likely spells the end of Okobo and/or Melton’s time in Phoenix as Lecque will likely fill the end-of-bench/G League role occupied by the two rookies guards this past season.