The Phoenix Suns are the new superteam of the West. After a rough postseason performance, the Suns waived off veteran, Chris Paul and fired head coach, Monty Williams. The team made its last Finals appearance against the Bucks in 2021. Since then, they’ve been struggling to get past the second round. Though this year, after adding Kevin Durant to their roster, the team had hopes of contending for the title.
Things took a turn in the offseason as the Suns traded for Bradley Beal. Beal, who spent 11 seasons with the Wizards joined the Suns, as their roster is stacked again with three All-Stars. Though such huge names do come with a heavy price. Durant, Booker, and Beal are all on their max contracts.
Other than that, the Suns have quite some players under cap hold. Looking at this super team, the money is going through the roof for their three All-Stars. Phoenix is now looking pretty tight with their cap space.
The Phoenix Suns cannot sign outside free agents anymore
With about $191.5 million in their active roster cap, the Suns are fulfilled with their current roster of 16 itself. Though the team also has seven players in cap hold, which add up to $24.4 million. This makes their total cap worth $216 million. The franchise is paying about $130.4 million at max to its big three. Moreover, the Suns only have six players under contract for the 2023-24 season.
Putting all the numbers in place, the Suns have a negative cap space of -$79.9 million. The team cannot sign outside free agents, though they can re-sign their free agents using the mid-level or Bird exception. Recently, rumors about Kyrie Irving joining the Suns had fled all over social media. Whereas in the end, Irving went on to re-sign with the Mavs, as he would’ve only been offered the bare minimum from the Suns.
Out of all the players on the roster, four of them are making $30+ million this upcoming season. The expenses should be worth it in the end, as the Suns will be paying about $69 million in tax with no more free agents to be signed. Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton will have their contracts expire in 2026.
Putting player options aside, this super team has three seasons to prove its worth, or at best win a championship. Booker and Beal, two of the elite scorers have never won a championship. Whereas Durant hunts for his third ring. It will be interesting to see close the Suns can get to winning the championship this upcoming season.