The Suns are signing free agent guard Jaden Shackelford to an Exhibit 10 contract, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
Phoenix’s new NBA G League affiliate, the Valley Suns, recently acquired Shackelford’s returning player rights in a trade with the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder’s affiliate.
Shackelford, 23, went undrafted out of Alabama in 2022. He has spent the past two seasons with the Blue, averaging 14.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG and 3.0 APG on .379/.356/.733 shooting in 50 Showcase Cup and regular season games in 2023/24 (29.0 MPG). The low field goal percentage requires some context: 77% of his shot attempts came from three-point range.
Shackelford will likely be waived before the season begins and head back to the NBAGL. If that comes to fruition, the Exhibit 10 language in his contract would entitle him to a bonus worth up to $77.5K (on top of his regular G League salary) if he spends at least 60 days with the Valley Suns.
The Suns have reportedly reached Exhibit 10 agreements with Boo Buie, Tyrese Samuel, and Mamadi Diakite in addition to Shackelford.