PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns are back to having money problems this offseason, unless some major changes are in store. The franchise currently has 10 players under contract for the 2026-2027 season, with the 47th pick in the 2026 NBA draft making 11. Phoenix is $19 million away from the luxury tax and $27 million from the first apron. This becomes a problem when the team is trying to re-sign two starters from last year: Collin Gillespie and Mark Williams.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Unless of a miracle, the Suns likely won’t be able to sign the duo for under $27 million. However, general manager Brian Gregory could look to offload some salaries from the roster to fit both of Gillespie and Williams. The answer seems obvious, but finding out who is the odd man out becomes more difficult.
Apr 7, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (center) celebrates as Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) and Grayson Allen (8) walk back to the bench in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Could Phoenix clean house this offseason?
Jalen Green’s name has been thrown around this offseason, being the central piece for a hypothetical Memphis Grizzlies Ja Morant trade. That noise has died down in recent weeks, but Green still could be traded. The 24-year-old only played 32 games in his first season in the Valley and averaged the second-lowest points in his career. Shooting just 31.3% from 3, Green was one of the worst volume shooters in the NBA.
His age and athleticism would be the selling point in any trade talks, as the $36 million price tag the next two seasons could get ugly. With the lack of interest, the Suns are better just keeping Green and his big price tag, in hopes that a full healthy 2026-2027 could yield better results.
Apr 19, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) drives past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) in the second quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Moving down the list of salaries, Dillon Brooks is next at nearly $20 million. Given his production, that price is a steal for the franchise, but next season is the contract year for the 30-year-old. Brooks is at the highest trade value of his career. Phoenix could truly snag some impressive draft capital from a contending team and re-sign younger talent like Gillespie and Williams to rebuild towards future.
Regardless of the temptation, Brooks has quickly become a fan favorite and would be a hard sell to the fans on trading him. The obvious answer sits right below Brooks on the salary table of Grayson Allen. Similar to Green, Allen had his own injury problems playing in 51 games, the fewest since 2020-2021. The 30-year-old averaged a career high in points but nearly a career low in 3-point shooting at 34.9%.
Mar 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Grayson Allen (8) shoots in front of Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The eight-year pro is set to make $18 million next year a massive price tag for an older guard coming off career-low shooting. The age and being a complete negative defender should make the choice easy for the Suns to try and dump Allen towards a rebuilding team in return for draft capital.
The decision to trade Allen is easier when players like Royce O’Neale is on the roster. Despite being 33 years old, O’Neale is consistently healthy and a sharpshooting from beyond the arc, with back to back 40% shooting seasons. At 6’6, he adds much more defensive versality than Allen and functions best off ball next to star players like Devin Booker.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
