THE Phoenix Suns The Red Sox have made a lot of roster moves this offseason, focusing on improving margins while adding depth around their Big Three of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. It’s a pretty impressive showing for a team that has been living beyond the second line of the apron for over a year. We know that money doesn’t seem to be an issue for owner Mat Ishbia. He wants to win, and he empowers those around him to make the basketball decisions to do so.
After 2024 Las Vegas Summer LeagueWhere David Roddy averaged a team-best 14.8 points, the third-year forward probably thought he had done enough to stay with the team. What he did was show just enough potential to attract Atlanta Hawks The Suns decided to trade one of their forwards, EJ Liddell, to Phoenix for him. Rumor had it that the Suns would waive Liddell, which was finalized yesterday.
The Suns also waived Nassir Little after thoroughly exploring trade options for the University of North Carolina product. With $22 million remaining on his three-year contract, the team opted to extend him and let him go, saving money in the process. They will now pay Little $3.1 million per year over the next seven seasons, reducing their luxury tax burden.
EJ Liddell? We barely knew you.
Like Little, the Suns also extended EJ Liddell’s contract. After releasing him, they will pay him $706,000 per season over the next three years.
In addition to waiving and extending Nassir Little, the Phoenix Suns also waived and extended EJ Liddell.
There is little planned for the next seven seasons, or just over $3.1 million per season.
Liddell is on the books for the next three seasons at $706,898 per season.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 28, 2024
The team remains in the second tier and still faces a hefty luxury tax bill, but by reducing both contracts it has at least managed to soften the financial blow. While it is far from escaping the taxman’s grasp, the moves reflect a calculated effort to reduce its long-term obligations and free up some flexibility.
