PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns officially announced the signings of incoming free agents Mason Plumlee and Monte Morris today.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Free agents who agree to a veteran-minimum contract can officially be signed before the standard allowed date of July 6. Morris and Plumlee are the only two reported free agent additions to Phoenix’s roster on standard contracts. The Suns also signed former Nuggets guard Collin Gillespie to a two-way contract.
According to the NBA transactions page, the Suns signed Plumlee and Morris two days ago on July 3. This same day, they also re-signed Damion Lee, but the team has yet to officially announce his signing yet.
Mason Plumlee
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the Suns had agreed to a deal with Plumlee on June 30, the opening day of free agency. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports the Suns will pay Plumlee a veteran-minimum contract worth $3.3 million next season.
From the team’s release on Plumlee:
“The Phoenix Suns today announced that the team has signed center Mason Plumlee. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Plumlee (6’-10”, 254 pounds) is an 11-year NBA veteran who played with the LA Clippers last season, averaging 5.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 46 games while shooting a career-best 70.7% from the free throw line. He holds career averages of 8.4 points on 59.4% from the field, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 786 games with the Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers and Brooklyn Nets. His 59.4% mark ranks as the eighth-best career field goal percentage in NBA history (min. 2,000 career field goals made). Plumlee has appeared in 71 playoff games across seven postseasons in his career.
“Representing the United States at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, Plumlee helped the national team to a perfect 9-0 record and gold-medal finish. A 2013-14 NBA All-Rookie First Team selection with Brooklyn after they picked him 22nd overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, Plumlee joined the NBA following a decorated four-year career at Duke University.”
#Suns officially announce signing of Mason Plumlee. Deal reported to be a one-year, veteran minimum contract worth $3.3 million https://t.co/hV7yNgD53H pic.twitter.com/osWlQxCmSJ
— Burn City Suns Talk ????️ (@BurnCitySuns) July 5, 2024
Last year’s backup center Drew Eubanks declined his player option with the Suns and is now signing with the Utah Jazz. Phoenix also drafted Marquette big man Oso Ighodaro as well. Jusuf Nurkić now figures to be the starter at the center position with Plumlee and Ighodaro backing him up.
Monte Morris
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the Suns agreed to a deal with Morris on July 2. According to PHNX’s Gerald Bourguet, Morris’ contract is for the veteran minimum and worth $2.8 million.
From the team’s release on Morris:
“The Phoenix Suns today announced that the team has signed guard Monte Morris. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Morris (6’-2”, 183 pounds) is a seven-year NBA veteran who has a career 5.04 assist-to-turnover ratio, which ranks as the second-best mark in NBA history among all players to record at least 1,000 career assists. He holds career averages of 10.0 points on 47.7% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range, 3.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 375 career games with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards and Denver Nuggets. Morris started in 135 of his 137 appearances from 2021-23, averaging 11.5 points on 48.2% shooting and 4.8 assists.
“The 29-year-old has played in 57 career playoff games across five postseasons, averaging 8.3 points and 3.1 assists in 20.0 minutes. Morris most recently played with the Timberwolves, contributing to the team’s run to the Western Conference Finals last season. Originally the 51st overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, he played collegiately at Iowa State University.
“Note: Morris’ first name is pronounced MON-tay.”
#Suns officially announce signing of Monte Morris https://t.co/IsVjATRM3e pic.twitter.com/seP3fzWgby
— Burn City Suns Talk ????️ (@BurnCitySuns) July 5, 2024
Morris is the only true point guard on the Suns’ roster and will likely see significant minutes off the bench in relief of Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
Plumlee and Morris were both on the Nuggets from 2017-20. They played in 177 games combined together (93-51 in the regular season and 16-17 in the playoffs), per Pro Ballers.
Notes/Updates on the Rest of the Suns’ Free Agency Deals
Phoenix has also officially announced the signings of its three rookies: Ryan Dunn (standard), Oso Ighodaro (standard) and Jalen Bridges (two-way).
In addition to Lee, the Suns are reported to be in agreement to re-sign Royce O’Neale (four years, $44 million) and Bol Bol (one year, $2.4 million). Neither of these two have officially re-signed yet, according to the NBA transactions page.
Once these two sign, the Suns will have 14 of their 15 standard roster spots filled.
See all of these updates and more on our Suns’ free agency tracker:
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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
