PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns’ 2024-25 roster currently sits at 14 players after the release of forwards Nassir Little and EJ Liddell today.
NBA insider Shams Charania was the first to report the two trades:
The Phoenix Suns will waive forwards Nassir Little and EJ Liddell, according to sources. By releasing both, the Suns open up a roster spot and create flexibility for sign-and-trades during the offseason. The Suns will extend the remaining three years and $22 million on Little’s contract. pic.twitter.com/UTsuimA2yX
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2024
Little, 24, was acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Deandre Ayton blockbuster just before training camp last year — and he’s had moments of success in Frank Vogel’s rotation.
Despite his good results, injuries and lack of consistency have cost him the opportunity to carve out a consistent role.
Little averaged just 3.4 points per game on 30 percent from three-point range in 45 games in Phoenix — a far cry from what he showed in Portland, even with his positive flashes.
He’s been frequently mentioned as a player who could be traded this offseason as well, so this news isn’t entirely shocking.
Liddell was acquired in the David Roddy trade with the Atlanta Hawks — the move that directly paved the way for PG Tyus Jones to sign a deal that could change the fortunes of the franchise this season.
As for the reasoning, Charania framed the report around the fact that Phoenix was rather rich in rookies Oso Ighodaro and Ryan Dunn as a motivating factor for the decision rather than opening up a roster spot for another minimal-impact veteran player.
“Phoenix management thinks highly of rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, and the releases open up new opportunities for both to contribute next season — as well as the potential for roster moves in the future. Few of them will enter free agency now,” Charania wrote.
That report is consistent with what was estimated at the time of the draft nearly two months ago – the Suns believe they found absolute bargains in both prospects – but don’t discount another sneaky addition to a “bargain bin.”
Jae Crowder, maybe?
