The Phoenix Suns are poised to have the highest payroll in NBA history, with a $421 million total for salaries and luxury tax in the 2024-25 season.
The Phoenix Suns have finalized what is expected to be the most costly roster in NBA history by re-signing Josh Okogie to a two-year, $16 million contract. This will bring their total salary bill to $198 million and luxury tax payments to $223 million for the 2024-25 season, amounting to a combined $421 million, as reported by ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
According to Marks, the Okogie deal is strategic, providing a player valued at $8 million annually who could later be used in a trade. With the Suns well above the second apron of the salary cap, they cannot combine multiple contracts into one trade.
Here’s a breakdown of the Suns’ contracts for the upcoming season:
– Kevin Durant: $51,179,021
– Bradley Beal: $50,203,930
– Devin Booker: $49,205,800
– Jusuf Nurkic: $18,125,000
– Grayson Allen: $15,625,000
– Royce O’Neale: $9,875,000
– Josh Okogie: $8,000,000
– Nassir Little: $6,750,000
– Bol Bol: $2,919,013
– David Roddy: $2,847,240
– Ryan Dunn: $2,530,800
– Mason Plumlee: $2,087,519
– Damion Lee: $2,087,519
– Monte Morris: $2,087,519
– Oso Ighodaro: $1,157,153
– Jalen Bridges: Two-Way
– Collin Gillespie: Two-Way
Naturally, the top three salaries account for a significant portion of the Suns’ financial commitments, putting them in a challenging financial position. Additionally, filling out a full 15-man roster has led to substantial spending by the team.
With the second apron in effect, the Suns face strict financial constraints this season. They won’t be able to absorb additional salary in trades or combine multiple salaries into a single trade, limiting their ability to enhance their roster.
The Suns’ best strategy may be to find similar contractual replacements for players like Okogie and Nurkic if they encounter difficulties at the start of the season.
Is the Cost of the Suns’ Roster Justified?
The title of the most expensive roster has frequently changed hands in recent years, with the Warriors and Clippers dominating the discussion over the past five seasons. However, both teams lost players earning over $40 million per season this summer, as Klay Thompson left the Warriors and Paul George exited the Clippers.
While many players on the Suns’ roster are earning salaries reflective of their league status, the Bradley Beal contract is a significant burden. His $50 million annual salary surpasses that of franchise cornerstone Devin Booker, making it a challenging expense. Additionally, Jusuf Nurkic’s $16 million per season is questionable, although his experience and winning qualities could prove beneficial.
The roster is certainly capable of making a playoff push and potentially securing a No. 6 seed or better, similar to last season. However, it’s debatable whether this team is equipped to win a title.
The absence of veteran defenders in their main lineup places considerable pressure on Royce O’Neale. Rookie Ryan Dunn, despite potentially being the best perimeter defender on the roster, is unlikely to be trusted with significant minutes right away.
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Josh Okogie’s contract appears inflated to increase his trade value, with the Suns likely looking to leverage the multiple second-round picks acquired through minor trades. While immediate upgrades may not be available, the Suns could benefit from Okogie if opportunities arise during the season.
Grayson Allen’s contract could become problematic if he experiences any shooting regression. He earned his deal with strong two-way play last season, shooting 46.1% from three on 5.9 attempts per game. However, any decline in his performance could make his contract less desirable, especially given that he was recently extended.
Overall, the roster’s cost seems disproportionate to the expectations placed on the team. While it’s unlikely the Suns will surpass the Thunder, Nuggets, Mavericks, or Wolves based on their current roster, it will be intriguing to see how the team performs and whether they can avoid a repeat of their 2023-24 season, which ended without a playoff win.
