Suns Rumors: $21M Sacrifice Paves Way for 6’11 Giant to Join Phoenix with Yusuf Nurkić’s Future in Limbo

Is the Phoenix Suns Can the franchise’s management afford to spend more money on players? Not really, since the franchise has been over the second cap limit for months now, which leaves them facing hefty penalties under the new collective bargaining agreement guidelines. On top of the dilemma of not being able to acquire new players, they were also supposed to lose Yusuf Nurkic due to their inability to pay him for the next two seasons. In light of this, the franchise is now ready to change its approach to give themselves some breathing room and allow Nurkic to stay.

Earlier today, NBA journalist Shams Charania revealed that Phoenix has decided to part ways with Nassir Little (his contract was “stretch and waive” – ​​more on that later) and EJ Liddell. Not only does Little’s departure open up a roster spot, but it also prevents the franchise from paying him the $21 million it is owed him over the next three seasons.

An open roster spot allows the Suns to experiment with their latest acquisition: Oso Ighodaro. According to reports, particularly from Shams Charania, the franchise is very excited and “high” about the 6’2″ rookie. After all, in his senior year at Marquette, Ighodaro averaged 13.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 36 games. While the player wasn’t very efficient from three-point range, his shooting accuracy stood at 62.4 percent over four collegiate seasons, as well as 61.6 percent on free throws.

In light of these statistics, a collaboration between Oso Ighodaro and other stars like Kevin DurantDevin Booker and Jusuf Nurkic could be what puts the Suns back in championship contention.

The Phoenix Suns have a total salary cap allocation of $235.9 million for the 2024-25 NBA season. That’s the second-highest amount for the season, behind only the NBA’s $241.8 million. Minnesota Timberwolves. Spending about $221.8 on wagesKevin Durant and his teammates have gone way over the limit for the second apron. As a result, not only will they have to spend more than $197.3 million just for the tax, but they will also face restrictions on transactions and acquisitions.

Jusuf Nurkic has the fourth-highest salary on the team, with a $37 million salary over the next two seasons. While parting ways with him would save the Suns a lot of money, his 10.9 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists average last season made him a value pick.

Even if the franchise is going to let Nasir Little go, he is still on the books to be paid over $21 million. Luckily, the Suns are going to split that into not 3 but 7 years using the “Stretch and give up” contract. This will allow them to spend only $3.1 million, instead of $7 million, per year. Fortunately, the Suns were able to act quickly with the “Stretch and give up” option, such as not doing it before August 31 the delay would have forced them to pay Little in full!

The savings could be reinvested in Nurkic himself, which would prevent him from leaving anytime soon. However, despite this brief reprieve, he doesn’t appear too far from the chopping block. However, if the Suns want to sort out their financial situation before the end of the offseason, they may have to part ways with other names as well.

Besides Jusuf Nurkic, who else can be traded from the Phoenix Suns?

Jusuf Nurkic still has two years left on his contract, so the Suns could decide not to let him go and postpone the terrible goodbye for two years. For now, the franchise needs a little more breathing room, and a few players on the team can help get it. Despite Bol Bol’s prowess on the court, his position on the Suns roster isn’t entirely guaranteed.

While the player has shown exceptional performance as a rotation player, he has lacked defensive skills and averaged just 5.2 points in his final NBA season. With him set to make $2.08 million next season, his departure would allow him to receive some luxury tax relief, but not much.

Grayson Allen would be a mixed candidate in terms of trade. After all, despite signing a 4-year, $70 million contract, the player had a rather mediocre performance in the playoffs. At the same time, however, he suffered an ankle injury, while the player was the best three-point shooter in the NBA with a success rate of 46.1%.

Having signed a minimum-level contract, which prevents him from being traded until December 14, Monte Morris isn’t going anywhere right now. That would leave the Suns with Royce O’Neale. After all, the 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists he’s averaging may not justify the four-year, $42 million contract he recently signed.

While others aren’t out of danger, Phoenix Suns fans can take heart in the fact that Kevin Durant isn’t going away anytime soon. After all, in the words of Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein himself, “Everyone is really happy and I think we are going to have a very, very good year.”

As for Nurkic himself, it will be known in due course whether his previous performances would allow him to have a second season in the white, orange and purple of the Western Conference franchise.

Before you go, don’t forget to check out this cross between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.