PHOENIX – Waiving and stretching former Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal’s contract seemed like the only life raft left for the team this offseason. Beal’s massive salary made him a negative asset, and with no draft picks to pair with the former All-Star, Phoenix had to stretch his nearly $100 million remaining salary over the next five years. However, the decision had only delayed the inevitable.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus ranked the top eight worst salary-cap situations in the NBA, and it was no surprise to see the Suns occupying the third spot on the list.
Apr 9, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia at halftime of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Pincus on Suns’ cap struggles over the next five years:
“Credit to the Suns for acknowledging that the roster had dead-ended, but Beal’s contract, which stretches $19.4 million a season through 2029-30, will limit flexibility for a long time. Phoenix could have taken a step further in a rebuild by trading Booker, but since the team owes all of its first-round picks to other teams (either outright or via swap) through 2031, bottoming out wasn’t viewed as a viable option.”
Feb 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is introduced during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The team will have $22 million in dead money with Beal and Nassir Little’s contract, which won’t bode well with guard Devin Booker’s massive two-year, $145 million extension. During this next five-year stretch, the Suns will have $7o to $90 million dedicated to Booker and dead money, which will account for essentially 50% of the team’s cap space.
For a franchise that doesn’t control its own draft picks during that span, it’s a recipe for disaster. Since Phoenix likely won’t trade Booker to recoup draft picks, it might be entering a purgatory period that will have very little for fans to look forward because of the team’s lack of flexibility to make moves/upgrades to the roster.
The Suns Over/Under Wins total for 2025-2026 should be a no-brainer
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
