Suns Make Multiple Roster Decisions Before Start of Season

With only a short time left until the new NBA season starts, the Phoenix Suns are opening up some flexibility for themselves. Pheonix has decided to waive forwards Nassir Little and EJ Liddell.

NBA insider Shams Charania broke the news on social media of the decision.

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Phoenix officials are high on rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro and the releases open increased opportunities for both to contribute next season – along with roster movement potential moving forward. Little now will enter free agency. https://t.co/QFOspRvFf1

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2024

After this move, the Suns have an open roster spot, potentially giving them the ability to sign players and make trades throughout the season. Phoenix expects to be one of the championship-contending teams in the Western Conference this season, so the added flexibility could come in handy down the line.

In order to waive Little, Phoenix has decided to use the stretch provision that the NBA allows. He had three years at around $21 million left on the books so the Suns will have his salary on the books for the next seven seasons.

Phoenix will pay Little $3 million per year until 2032 to not be on the team essentially. He was acquired by the Suns last year as a piece of the blockbuster three-team trade that sent star guard Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.

In 45 games with the Suns, the former first-round pick averaged 3.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 05. assists per game. He shot 30.0 percent from 3-point land so the Suns were willing to move on from him.

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Liddell was traded to the Suns this offseason after spending last season with the New Orleans Pelicans. He averaged 0.5 points and 0.6 rebounds per game over eight games with New Orleans.

Neither of these two players was likely going to make a massive impact on the Suns this season so the move shouldn’t hurt them roster-wise. Phoenix is looking to bounce back after a poor year in 2023-24 that saw them get swept out of the postseason in the first round.

The Suns are led by their three-headed monster attack of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Each gives Phoenix a different way to hurt the opposing team on offense and things should be a little easier this year after playing together for a season.

Phoenix brought in championship-winning head coach Mike Budenholzer to replace Frank Vogel. The organization hopes that the move will help open things up for the Suns on the court and they can realize their potential with the three stars on the team.

It’s now or never for the Suns and another failed season could see some big changes coming to Phoenix.

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