PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns are officially in training camp.

While no specific date has been set to open the preseason preparation process, camp is expected to begin towards the end of the month – which will lead directly into media day in early October.

While the roster appears to be generally in order, there is still one vacancy to be filled following the release of Nassir Little and EJ Liddell – these transfers have added an element of flexibility to fill out the 15-man squad whenever they decide to make the move.

While Little’s salary can no longer be used as trade bait, most players worth acquiring couldn’t be had for his salary – which is one of the primary trade parameters for second-string teams.

One name stands out from the rest in terms of potentially achievable business goals to round out the list:

Kelly Olynyk.

Olynyk is set to make $12.8 million in 2024-25 as a member of the Toronto Raptors after being traded at the trade deadline last season.

Olynyk would be an ideal presence for Mike Budenholzer’s offense – having shot 36.9 percent from three-point range over his career while being a solid passer and connector of the Suns’ offense in theory.

The cost for Olynyk? Jusuf Nurkic would be a necessity – and it would almost certainly require conscription pay as well.

Would the move be worth it?

It may not be as simple as that.

While Nurkic brings physicality, rebounding and toughness that Olynyk doesn’t, he hasn’t proven to be a consistent floor spacer at the latter’s level.

On the other hand, the Suns would have an even bigger hole in terms of a lack of true rim enforcers on the defensive side of the ball. The lack of a true screener would also put more pressure on the offense.

There are as many downsides to this potential move as there are upsides – only time will tell if a bold move like this is made before or during the season.

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