If there is one term to characterize the Phoenix Suns and their roster structure, it is top-heavy. They have three superstars in Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, while the league has shifted toward two stars with greater depth around them.
If there is one term to characterize the Phoenix Suns and their roster structure, it is top-heavy. They have three superstars in Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, while the league has shifted toward two stars with greater depth around them.
Despite this, a look at the Suns’ contracts makes it easy to be concerned about the franchise’s future after this season.
Not that all of their deals are horrible; in fact, the Suns will wish that a number of them lasted longer than they do – but getting them all to work together while remaining competitive is a difficult balancing act. As a result, compiling a list of all of the contracts (excluding two-way deals) on this squad from worst to best is not only difficult, but also necessary to determine where they are headed.
As long as they have three superstars, the players around them will always be on a specific contract type, but this has not been a problem thus far. Head coach Frank Vogel is doing an excellent job of making all of the parts fit. Strap in, though, because things may get ugly.
Bradley Beal: It’s a tough place to start, but there’s no doubt Beal has the worst contract on the team. He’s 30 years old, has missed nearly half of this season, and will make more than $50 million over the next three seasons. If he does not play, it will be difficult to replace him later on.
Jusuf Nurkic: Center. Jusuf Nurkic should not be here because he is having one of the best seasons of his career. He is also only owed $37 million over the next two seasons, following this one. If he remains well, putting him here is unwise. However, the Suns are one injury away from being saddled with this guy on a solid contract, and his healthy history to date must be considered.
Damion Lee: Despite earning little more than $2 million this season and next, Damion Lee’s contract is holding the Suns back because he has not played all season due to injury. With a player option on his contract, you can bet he’ll take it and return, preventing the Suns from signing another minimum player in Lee’s stead. A popular favorite, but consuming crucial space and funds for this team.
Bol Bol: A nightmare for a completely other cause, as Bol Bol is an unrestricted free agent this summer. How much should the Suns pay him to come back? Will they do that? Is he worth more to them than anyone else, considering that he’s starting to figure things out in The Valley in his fifth season? But if they pay him to come back, would he regress? Many questions, no answers.
