In a strategic move to maneuver through the financial complexities of their roster, the Phoenix Suns have waived veteran forward Nassir Little and second-year guard EJ Liddell. This decision opens up a valuable roster spot for the Suns, who are navigating the murky waters of a staggering $219 million payroll.
A Financial Tightrope
The Suns' financial landscape is precarious, to say the least. With a league-high payroll, the team is currently exceeding the NBA's "second apron" threshold. This creates a series of significant limitations impacting their flexibility. The Suns are unable to aggregate salaries in trades, acquire more money than they send out, use any version of the mid-level exception, or sign players from the buyout market whose initial salary exceeded the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
By waiving Nassir Little, the Suns have chosen to deploy the stretch provision. Little, who joined the team as part of the Damian Lillard-Jrue Holiday blockbuster trade, had three years and $21 million remaining on his contract. With the stretch provision, Little will receive $3 million annually from the Suns until 2032. His performance during his time with Phoenix included an average of 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds over 45 games.
A Post-Injury EJ Liddell
Second-year guard EJ Liddell's journey has been a challenging one. Originally a second-round pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2022, Liddell's rookie season was cut short by a torn ACL sustained during the Summer League. This injury sidelined him for the entire season. In an effort to regain his form and fitness, Liddell spent significant time in the G League. Following limited appearances with the Pelicans, Liddell was moved to the Hawks as part of the Dejounte Murray deal and subsequently sent to the Suns in exchange for David Roddy. Despite these transitions, Liddell appeared in only eight games for the Pelicans last season.
An Open Roster Spot
With the departures of Little and Liddell, the Suns now possess an open roster spot. This flexibility could prove crucial for a team in Phoenix's position, allowing them to scout and potentially sign emerging talent or seasoned veterans willing to accept minimum offers. Earlier this summer, the Suns demonstrated their ability to secure valuable players without significant financial expenditure by signing Tyus Jones to a minimum contract.
Management's Tough Decisions
The Suns' management has shown a willingness to make difficult decisions to balance their ambitions with financial reality. Waiving Little and Liddell, despite their potential, underscores the tightrope the organization must walk in managing their roster and salary cap.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the Suns leverage this newly available roster spot. Whether they opt to bring in a promising young talent or a seasoned veteran capable of contributing immediately, the decision will undoubtedly be influenced by their intricate financial situation.
The Suns remain a team to watch, not just for their on-court performance but also for their off-court maneuvers that shape their roster and financial health. Given their current constraints, every move they make will be pivotal in their quest for success in the highly competitive NBA landscape.