Believe it or not, December 15 is less than one week away. Why is that date important for the Phoenix Suns? Is welcoming the New York Knicks to the Footprint Center that big of a deal? No, it is the date on which the majority of the Phoenix Suns roster becomes available to trade.
This past off-season general manager James Jones completely revamped the team. He did so through blockbuster trades and expertly navigating the free agent market. 13 new faces are now on the team, with the majority of them coming via free agency.
December 15 is significant because, following their signing with the organization, those players were not initially eligible to be traded. From NBA.com: “A free agent who signs a standard NBA player contract (or a player who signs, or is converted to, a standard NBA player contract while under a Two-Way Contract) cannot be traded for three months following the date the contract is signed or until December 15 of the Salary Cap Year in which the contract is signed, whichever is later.”
This prevents teams from simply signing desired free agents and trading them like playing cards, protecting the player as well as other teams. December 15 is a day circled on the calendar because, if you were looking to manipulate your roster after identifying early-season weaknesses, the conversations can begin and the assets can be moved.
So who does this include? Who on the roster is now available for James Jones to move? And what are they making? Here is a little primer for you just so you’re aware, which includes their statistics to date.
Eric Gordon: $3.2 million
2023 Statistics: 20 GP (16 GS), 14.6 PPG (47.2 FG%/40.9 3PT%/81.3 FT%), 3.0 APG, 2.1 RPG
Josh Okogie: $2.8 million
2023 Statistics: 22 GP (10 GS), 6.1 PPG (40.4 FG%/23.4 3PT%/77.6 FT%), 1.1 APG, 1.8 RPG
Damion Lee: $2.5 million
2023 Statistics: Not applicable as Damion has been out with a meniscus injury since training camp.
Drew Eubanks: $2.35 million
2023 Statistics: 21 GP (0 GS), 6.7 PPG (58.8 FG%/100 3PT%/83.3 FT%), 1.4 APG, 4.5 RPG
Keita Bates-Diop: $2.35 million
2023 Statistics: 19 GP (8 GS), 5.7 PPG (40.9 FG%/27.8 3PT%/71.9 FT%), 0.9 APG, 3.3 RPG
Yuta Watanabe: $2.35 million
2023 Statistics: 16 GP (0 GS), 5.3 PPG (36.5 FG%/36.7 3PT%/69.2 FT%), 0.6 APG, 2.3 RPG
Bol Bol: $2.02 million
2023 Statistics: 4 GP (0 GS), 0.5 PPG (100 FG%/0 3PT%/0 FT%), 0 APG, 0.3 RPG
Jordan Goodwin: $2.02 million
2023 Statistics: 22 GP (0 GS), 6.4 PPG (40.0 FG%/35.0 3PT%/83.3 FT%), 2.2 APG, 3.9 RPG
Be sure to check up Dave King’s Suns Weekly column as it continually provides a snapshot of the current state of the Suns’ roster, how the cap sheet looks, and what options Phoenix has as it pertains to the tax apron.
Expect your Bright Side writers top provide their feedback and analysis on these players, as well as explore potential targets and roster needs, in the coming days!
