The Phoenix Suns are reportedly waiving forwards Nassir Little and E.J. Liddell, opening up a roster spot.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the news and said the Suns will stretch the remaining three years and $22 million on Little’s contract.
The Phoenix Suns are waiving forwards Nassir Little and EJ Liddell, per sources. By releasing both, the Suns open up a roster spot and create flexibility for signings and trades during the season. Suns will stretch the three years and $22 million remaining on Little’s deal. pic.twitter.com/UTsuimA2yX
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2024
Charania added: “Phoenix officials are high on rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro and the releases open increased opportunities for both to contribute next season – along with roster movement potential moving forward. Little now will enter free agency.”
Phoenix officials are high on rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro and the releases open increased opportunities for both to contribute next season – along with roster movement potential moving forward. Little now will enter free agency. https://t.co/QFOspRvFf1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2024
The Suns acquired Little from the Portland Trail Blazers along with Jusuf Nurkić and Grayson Allen (from the Milwaukee Bucks) in a three-team trade that sent Deandre Ayton to the Blazers on Sept. 27, 2023. The 24-year-old, 6-foot-6 wing only played in 45 games in his first season in Phoenix, averaging 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds and not seeing much meaningful minutes since December.
With the Suns stretching him, Phoenix and owner Mat Ishbia will owe him $3.1 million over the next seven years, adding to their already record-breaking payroll.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger reports the “Suns will save roughly $40 million in tax penalties over next two seasons based on current payroll. Phoenix had til August 31 to make this decision.”
$3.1 million cap charge in 2030-31 — aka the Demetrius Jackson Special — but Suns will save roughly $40 million in tax penalties over next two seasons based on current payroll. Phoenix had til August 31 to make this decision. https://t.co/29i4iA39VH
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) August 21, 2024
Phoenix acquired Liddell from the Atlanta Hawks on July 26 in exchange for David Roddy. The Suns then went out and signed Tyus Jones to a veteran minimum contract, bringing the roster total to 16 players with the two additions. However, the expectation was always that Liddell would be waived.
The 23-year-old Liddell, who was the 41st pick of the 2022 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, was due $2.1 million in the 2024-25 season and had a team option for the 2025-26 season worth $2.3 million.
Liddell, a 6-foot-6 Ohio State product, tore his ACL before his rookie season and spent the majority of this past season in the G League for the Pelicans. He was dealt to Atlanta in the Dejounte Murray trade earlier this offseason and averaged 7.8 points for the Hawks in the summer league. Last season, Liddell played in 26 games in the G League, averaging 17.7 points and 7.8 rebounds.
Now, Phoenix will look to fill its roster with another player. This is currently the Suns projected rotation minus the waived players:
- PG: Tyus Jones, Monte Morris
- SG: Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Damion Lee
- SF: Devin Booker, Royce O’Neale, Josh Okogie
- PF: Kevin Durant, Bol Bol, Ryan Dunn (R)
- C: Jusuf Nurkić, Mason Plumlee, Oso Ighodaro (R)
- Two-way: Collin Gillespie (PG), Jalen Bridges (R, SG/SF), TyTy Washington (PG)
R= Rookie
Who do you think the Suns should pursue with the open roster spot?
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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
