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The Phoenix Suns are roughly two weeks out from entering a free agency period that will be predicated on player retention. The upcoming class isn't expected to be an exceptional one, while general manager Brian Gregory is continuing to shoot for internal growth and continuity around franchise player Devin Booker.
Phoenix has reportedly ushered in the attempt to fulfill this goal, as they are now able to talk to impending free agents Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin on new deals ahead of the opening of the process on June 30. Local insider John Gambadoro has already alluded to the fact that retaining the duo of guards is the Suns' most pressing priority - but just how far should the franchise bend to keep the impact players?
Phoenix's roster currently stands at 11 players, with impending decisions that are on the horizon - this includes the club option on Jamaree Bouyea's $2.6 million figure for the 2026-27 campaign, as well as the non-guaranteed tag of $3 million for forward Haywood Highsmith.
The Suns are also holding onto approximately $24 million in dead cap (carried by Bradley Beal's departure), which further complicates the cap situations for Gregory. Front office expert Bobby Marks projects that Gillespie will earn roughly $12 million per season on his new deal, while Goodwin will command between $6-8 million on his own deal. Mark Williams is an upcoming restricted free agent that might have an extended stay on the market.
While Phoenix undoubtedly has to prioritize keeping what worked during the 44-win 2025-26 campaign intact, they simply cannot go to any length to achieve this feat. G/F Dillon Brooks is possibly in line for a lucrative extension in his own right, while Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale are boasting a significant hold on the cap sheet as well.
Gregory and Phoenix can withstand being in the first apron territory but cannot bear to handle another season in the second apron. The flexibility that the Suns own at the moment is largely due to shedding Beal's and Kevin Durant's deals, but that doesn't guarantee much if this current front office doesn't play their cards correctly.
The most clear avenue to retaining flexibility is to utilize the 47th pick in next week's draft to obtain an NBA-ready talent that is on a more than reasonable deal, while moving either Allen or O'Neale has to be on the table as well.
The next several months have the potential to shape the future of the Suns much more sharply than one may expect - the onus is on Gregory to have another stellar offseason, and this begins with retaining the upcoming free agents without compromising the franchise's flexibility moving forward.
Join The SunsRoundtable
Head over to the SunsRoundtable page and hit the "Join" button under the featured story... it's completely FREE! You'll have the opportunity to engage with other Suns fans who live and breathe the team, share your thoughts on the organization, and more. If you're asked to sign up or download the Roundtable app... that's free too.
Kevin Hicks is a contributing writer to SunsRoundtable. He can be reached on X at khicks_21.
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Phoenix has reportedly ushered in the attempt to fulfill this goal, as they are now able to talk to impending free agents Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin on new deals ahead of the opening of the process on June 30. Local insider John Gambadoro has already alluded to the fact that retaining the duo of guards is the Suns' most pressing priority - but just how far should the franchise bend to keep the impact players?
Phoenix's roster currently stands at 11 players, with impending decisions that are on the horizon - this includes the club option on Jamaree Bouyea's $2.6 million figure for the 2026-27 campaign, as well as the non-guaranteed tag of $3 million for forward Haywood Highsmith.
The Suns are also holding onto approximately $24 million in dead cap (carried by Bradley Beal's departure), which further complicates the cap situations for Gregory. Front office expert Bobby Marks projects that Gillespie will earn roughly $12 million per season on his new deal, while Goodwin will command between $6-8 million on his own deal. Mark Williams is an upcoming restricted free agent that might have an extended stay on the market.
While Phoenix undoubtedly has to prioritize keeping what worked during the 44-win 2025-26 campaign intact, they simply cannot go to any length to achieve this feat. G/F Dillon Brooks is possibly in line for a lucrative extension in his own right, while Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale are boasting a significant hold on the cap sheet as well.
Gregory and Phoenix can withstand being in the first apron territory but cannot bear to handle another season in the second apron. The flexibility that the Suns own at the moment is largely due to shedding Beal's and Kevin Durant's deals, but that doesn't guarantee much if this current front office doesn't play their cards correctly.
The most clear avenue to retaining flexibility is to utilize the 47th pick in next week's draft to obtain an NBA-ready talent that is on a more than reasonable deal, while moving either Allen or O'Neale has to be on the table as well.
The next several months have the potential to shape the future of the Suns much more sharply than one may expect - the onus is on Gregory to have another stellar offseason, and this begins with retaining the upcoming free agents without compromising the franchise's flexibility moving forward.
Join The SunsRoundtable
Head over to the SunsRoundtable page and hit the "Join" button under the featured story... it's completely FREE! You'll have the opportunity to engage with other Suns fans who live and breathe the team, share your thoughts on the organization, and more. If you're asked to sign up or download the Roundtable app... that's free too.
Kevin Hicks is a contributing writer to SunsRoundtable. He can be reached on X at khicks_21.
Continue reading...
