Waiver Moves Impact Phoenix Suns Roster Dynamics
In a notable shake-up, the Phoenix Suns have waived veteran forward Nassir Little and second-year guard EJ Liddell, opening up a crucial roster spot as they navigate complex financial waters. With a league-high payroll of $219 million, the Suns are operating under significant constraints, exceeding the second apron—a financial threshold that instills stringent limitations on team operations.
These limitations include prohibitions on aggregating salaries in trades, trading for more money than they send out, using any version of the mid-level exception, and signing players from the buyout market whose initial salary exceeded the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. These financial hurdles have placed the Suns in a tight spot as they aim to build a competitive roster within the confines of these restrictions.
Nassir Little's Time with the Suns
Nassir Little was brought into the Suns' fold as part of the blockbuster trade involving Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday. However, his stint with the team has come to an end after averaging a modest 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds over 45 games in his sole season. Little, who had three years and $21 million left on his contract, will now be paid $3 million annually by the Suns until 2032 under the stretch provision.
EJ Liddell's Brief Journey
Second-year guard EJ Liddell, originally a second-round pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2022, faced a challenging start to his NBA career. A torn ACL during the 2022 Summer League sidelined him for his entire rookie season. Liddell's path took him from the Pelicans to the Atlanta Hawks as part of the Dejounte Murray deal and then to the Suns in exchange for David Roddy. Despite playing only eight games for the Pelicans last season and spending significant time in the G League to regain his form, Liddell's tenure with the Suns was cut short with this recent waiver decision.
Financial Strategies and Future Moves
The Suns' decision to waive Little and Liddell underscores their management's willingness to make tough calls in pursuit of more flexible roster options. Earlier this summer, the Suns secured Tyus Jones on a minimum contract, indicating their strategy of adding value through cost-effective signings. With an open roster spot now available, the team has the opportunity to scout and sign emerging talent or veterans willing to accept minimum offers.
Moving forward, the Suns' management faces the challenge of navigating financial constraints while assembling a competitive squad. The open roster spot provides an avenue to explore strategic additions that can complement the team's core. Despite the limitations imposed by their payroll status, the Suns remain focused on maintaining their competitive edge in the NBA landscape.
The Phoenix Suns' latest roster adjustments reflect a broader trend in the NBA, where teams are continually balancing financial prudence with the pursuit of competitive excellence. As the team moves ahead, their ability to identify and integrate new talent within the constraints of an elevated payroll will be pivotal to their sustained success in the league.