The Phoenix Suns spent their last few years working very aggressively with pen and paper. Eager to improve their roster at all costs, the Phoenix front office dished out big money contracts whenever they saw fit, making some tremendous deals, as well as some more regrettable ones.
Since the 2017-18 season, the Suns have spent slightly over $550 million dollars. That five year payroll does not exactly raise eyebrows like that of the Los Angeles Lakers or Brooklyn Nets, but it still adds up onto a receipt which nobody wants to collect.
That money stretches across two different eras for Phoenix as well. Just a few years ago, the Suns looked like lost dogs still recovering from Steve Nash withdrawal. More recently though, things changed for Phoenix thanks to their young core’s development and Chris Paul’s arrival, which together pushed the team all the way to the NBA Finals.
Responsible for all decisions made during both those periods stands current general manager James Jones, as well as his predecessor Ryan McDonough. Jones took over right before the 2018-19 season, making him the more direct “puppet master” behind the incredible Suns team before us today.
So spoiler alert here: Jones’s signings for the most part earn higher grades across this list.
Through all the good and the bad though, the Suns would likely not change a thing. It all lead to last year’s run for the ages that ended with them knocking on the door for a title.
But still, acknowledging the benefit of hindsight never hurt anybody. So looking back at each major signing over the last five years, their regrades go as follows.