PHOENIX — Phoenix Suns G/F Josh Okogie will reportedly opt out of his $2.95 million player option and become a free agent, according to HoopsHype’s Michael A. Scotto.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Sources: Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie is declining his $2.95 million player option and will enter unrestricted free agency, @hoopshype has learned. pic.twitter.com/lUMXeqOL58
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 28, 2024
Okogie appeared in 60 games last season, logging 11 starts early in the season, but did not see much playing time after suffering a lower abdominal at the beginning of March. There was an argument to be made that Okogie should have been the team’s fifth starter entering the season after showcasing an improved 3-point shot in the preseason and starting 26 games with Phoenix in the 2022-23 season, including all eight that Kevin Durant played in.
Okogie’s late-season benching was largely due to the fact that, although he was arguably the team’s best defender and hustle player, he only shot 30.9% from 3. In his second season with Phoenix, Okogie’s points per game average dropped from 7.2 to 4.6 in 16.0 minutes per game. He also averaged 2.6 rebounds (1.2 offensive).
In the Suns’ first-round sweep against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Okogie’s former team, coach Frank Vogel plugged Okogie in more than usual in Games 3 and 4 (23 minutes total) in a last-ditch effort to try to get something to work, despite him not seeing the floor much leading up to the playoffs. Okogie performed well, shooting 4-for-6 combined from the field in these two games, while being tasked with guarding Anthony Edwards.
Vogel was eventually fired and replaced by new coach Mike Budenholzer on May 11.
Okogie, 25, will be entering his seventh year in the NBA next season. He has a June 29 deadline to officially opt in or out of this option after signing a two-year veteran minimum contract with Phoenix last summer.
According to PHNX’s Gerald Bourguet, “Okogie opting out doesn’t mean he’s gone. Suns want to re-sign him for a little more than (a veteran minimum).”
The Suns have Okogie's Early Bird rights, which allows a team to re-sign a player for 175% of his previous salary or 105% of the league-average salary in the previous season, whichever is greater.
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) June 28, 2024
Four Suns players—Okogie, Eric Gordon, Drew Eubanks and Damion Lee—all have this same deadline tomorrow to decide on their player options.
Multiple reports suggest that Gordon will not be back in Phoenix next season. Forbes Sports’ Evan Sidery has reported that Lee will opt in, while ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said Eubanks will decline his option.
Right now, Phoenix projects to have a lot of defense off the bench, but limited scoring, so Okogie not returning could open a spot to add a serviceable player. The Suns has seven returning players under contract for next season: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkić, Nassir Little and David Roddy.
According to multiple reports, the Suns are hoping to bring back Royce O’Neale and Bol Bol, who are unrestricted free agents, although Bol might be tougher to re-sign (can only offer a veteran minimum deal).
Phoenix also drafted Virginia forward Ryan Dunn with the 28th pick and Marquette big man Oso Ighodaro with the 40th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft this week. The team then agreed to a two-way contract with Baylor forward Jalen Bridges.
If Lee, O’Neale and Bol are to return, this is how Phoenix’s roster looks currently (unconfirmed players in parentheses):
- PG: Bradley Beal, ?, ?
- SG: Devin Booker, (Damion Lee), David Roddy
- SF: Grayson Allen, (Royce O’Neale), Nassir Little
- PF: Kevin Durant, Ryan Dunn – R, (Bol Bol)
- C: Jusuf Nurkić, Oso Ighodaro – R, ?
- –
- Two-way: Jalen Bridges
As can be seen, not a lot of players outside the first unit, other than Lee, are known to be scorers or playmakers. If this is how Phoenix’s assumed roster looks heading into free agency on Sunday (June 30), the Suns would only have 2-3 spots to fill depending on Okogie and one could very well likely be a big man, meaning they have to find an avenue to get one or two scoring and/or playmaking guards. They could also try to make a trade as well to achieve this.
However, the Suns will be limited in the moves they can make in free agency and trades, as they have the highest payroll in the NBA next season projected to be $209 million before O’Neale makes his free agency decision.
Teams that are spending over $189.5 million are operating over the second-tax apron. In this threshold, Phoenix is unable to sign incoming free agents to anything other than veteran minimum contracts. In terms of trades, the Suns are not able to take in more salary than they send out, include cash in deals, aggregate contracts or use a preexisting trade exception.
https://t.co/udxc31w9FX pic.twitter.com/2gcOTqijy7
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 24, 2024
How do you feel about the current Suns’ roster and what else do you think they need to add?
Report confirms veteran guard will leave Suns, enter free agency
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
