The 3 most underpaid Phoenix Suns for next season

The Phoenix Suns have had an offseason to remember, with the addition of Bradley Beal seeming to catch the whole league off guard. To then follow that up with the signing of no less than eight players on minimum deals, was some fantastic business by owner Mat Ishbia.

While Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Deandre Ayton and Beal will rightly get most of the attention, the importance of filling out the roster with competent players cannot be overstated. The Suns did a masterful job of blending veterans who want to win a championship, with young players like Bol Bol who still have a lot to prove in the league.

In fact the organization has done so well here, that you can make a case that most of their players outside of the top four are already underpaid.

Taking Bol as an example, and after a season with the Orlando Magic in which he turned some heads, he is only making $2.1 million next season, on what is a one year deal. Given the intrigue that Bol provides, he surely could have gotten even a small bit more money to play elsewhere, while also having less of a fight on his hands to earn some minutes.

There are another six players now on this roster who are all making less than $3.5 million next season (and in the case of all bar one player, it is less than $3 million), and who also all have player options on their deals for similar money for 2024-25 as well. Clearly then this is a chance for them to play well, hopefully win a ring, and get paid elsewhere.

3. Eric Gordon

Beginning with the player who would have had no problem taking the minimum to join the Suns, and Eric Gordon is still underpaid. Having made roughly $176 million in 15 seasons in the league however, it is easy to see why the 34-year-old took less money to join this particular contender.

The role for Gordon is clearly defined here, and he will be a closer against certain opponents, particularly in the postseason. Entering the final stretch of his career, and Gordon is looking to maximize every opportunity that he can to win the championship that has so far evaded him.

Having spent seven seasons with the Houston Rockets, and the tail end of last year with the L.A. Clippers, Gordon is no stranger to playing for teams that have high expectations. It just so happens that the Suns were also able to give him the kind of role that a lot of others could not. So much so that Gordon may even be able to take some games off during the regular season.

The Suns have the postseason in mind with Gordon, whose high level of defensive play and ability to knock down an open look will be crucial for the team as they make a run. He shot a ridiculous 42 percent from 3-point range with the Clippers on five attempts per game in his short time there. If this doesn’t work out, Gordon can still make some money elsewhere as he winds down his career.

2. Keita Bates-Diop

There is absolutely no question that Keita Bates-Diop should be on this list. Unlike Gordon, the 27-year-old has never gotten paid either, and in his time in the league he has made somewhere between $5-$6 million. It is unlikely he was going to get a bag this summer, but Bates-Diop surely could have gotten more elsewhere after some stellar play for the San Antonio Spurs.

The type of player that Bates-Diop is will always be in demand as well, which makes the fact the Suns could get him even better. There’s a real case to be made that he will be the fifth starter for the team to begin the season, and his defensive abilities are going to mesh really well with the offensive stars this group has.

Last season, the Spurs had the worst defensive rating in the league, at 119.6. When Bates-Diop was on the court, that number shrank to 116.6. Still in the bottom seven in this category, but a marked improvement. It is foolish to expect any more from the player both because of the teammates he had in San Antonio, and because of who he is as a player.

Bates-Diop is an above average defender in one-on-one situations, and with better teammates and a more defined role with the Suns, he will become even better in a team setting as well. He absolutely could have made more money, perhaps even the mid-level for another franchise with cap space, and is surely going to use the opportunity to make himself more money in future.

1. Yuta Watanabe

The obvious answer here, it is frankly astonishing that the Suns somehow managed to get Yuta Watanabe this summer. So much so, that we spoke right here about what a dream selection he would be before free agency began. Watanabe ticks not only every box for the Suns, but would have for so many other teams as well.

At one point he led the league in corner 3-pointers made last season, and was a ridiculous 44.4 percent from deep on nearly three attempts per game for the Brooklyn Nets. Watanabe has already played with Durant before, but think about how many open looks he is going to get next to Booker and Beal. He could also unlock a nice little two-man game with center Ayton as well.

Although the shooting ability is the main reason the Suns and so many other teams wanted to sign Watanabe, his defensive abilities are slept on. Watanabe is a legitimate 6’8″, and while Gordon and Bates-Diop will be tasked with guarding elite wing scorers most of the time, what a luxury it is to have Watanabe available to spend some possessions covering a player too.

In fact Watanabe may fit in so well right away, that he becomes the fifth starter for the group, giving them a jumbo front three of Ayton, Durant and Watanabe. With Booker and Beal in the backcourt, that Suns starting five has a chance to be one of the greatest offensive groups the league has ever seen.

Even if Watanabe ultimately comes off the bench, he could become their sixth man sharpshooter, propping up the second unit with some much needed scoring and spacing. One of Booker, Durant and Beal will be on the court at all times, so they’ll each spend some time with that second group. What an incredible deal it was to get Watanabe for $2.3 million this coming season.