Valley of the Suns
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5 Phoenix Suns goals for free agency

By Dan Volpone

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 26: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 26: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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No long-term deals

The Suns must absolutely avoid long-term deals this summer, and that applies to more than just overpays. Even signing a player at proper value long-term would be a detrimental move to the future of the team.

The Suns have a unique opportunity in 2020, and they should do everything they can to capitalize on it. They have a chance to head into that summer with these players under contract, according to Spotrac and RealGM:

  • Devin Booker – 25 percent max (about $26 million)
  • T.J. Warren ($11,750,000)
  • Josh Jackson ($8,930,242)
  • Deandre Ayton ($8,277,300)
  • Mikal Bridges ($3,601,500)

That would leave the team with around $42.44 million in cap space for that summer, even if the cap doesn’t increase from the current $101 million. Anything is possible when a team is loaded with young assets and cap space. And hopefully they’ll be coming off a year when the young core proves to a top free agent that they can win in Phoenix.

The cap space will go down some after signing draft picks over the next two seasons, but it will likely stay above the 35 percent max, meaning the Suns can still sign any player in the league. And they can increase their cap space even more if they’re able to trade Warren.

Next: Five free agent PF’s to keep an eye on for the Phoenix Suns

There’s only one way the Phoenix Suns can mess up this great opportunity: signing players for longer than two years. While a $15 million contract over three years might seem like a small risk, it could cost the team its chance at a top player in the league.

If the Suns can meet these five goals in free agency, they should be in great shape going forward.

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