3 players who have played their last game for the Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns have added nine new players to their roster this offseason, and they are most likely not done yet. While Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal leaving the franchise were the most notable moves, the front office has done a nice job of moving into this new era around superstar Devin Booker by surrounding him with young guys with upside. We think Booker approves.

The buyout of 32-year-old Beal also brought with it the exciting reality that the Suns are no longer in the first or second apron either. This makes future trades easier, even if it did come at the cost of having Beal's salary on their cap sheet for the next half decade.

These three players no longer figure in Suns' plans.

With the addition of the likes of Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and even rookie Khaman Maluach - combined with it now being easier for the organization to make trades - there are three players on this roster who won't be by the time the 2025-26 regular season tips off. Best of all, the Suns could realistically get some players or picks of actual back for all three veterans.

3. Grayson Allen

The writing was on the wall early with this one, and all it took was one explosive Summer League performance from two-way rookie, Koby Brea. That might seem like a ridiculous reason to ditch a veteran in Allen, but there's more to it than that. The Suns no longer have the space to fit him into their long-term plans - and with two years remaining on his deal - the time to move him is now.

Booker, Green, Brea and even Brooks will all need minutes. Then there is Ryan Dunn - whose two-way abilities are massively important in The Valley - who will need more time as he looks to take a leap in year two. The Suns still don't have a point guard either - and while Collin Gillespie isn't the long-term solution, he's a backup who was kept around for a reason.

Allen hasn't been the same player since giving up his starting spot for floor general Tyus Jones last season, although it didn't work out for him in Phoenix either as he swiftly departed. In theory Beal's exit should make life easier for Allen - he took his spot two seasons ago and led the league in 3-point shooting in the process - but the roster has now moved on and gotten younger. Allen will be traded.

2. Nick Richards

An unfortunate end to a brief tenure with the franchise for center Nick Richards, and to date he's only played 36 times for the team. Trading for him at the deadline was done because the roster desperately needed size having finally gotten rid of Jusuf Nurkic - which in hindsight was actually the wrong call - and so the Suns reached for a backup in Richards to start for them.

He's certainly willing defensively and athletic, but the introduction of rookie Maluach changes the picture. He's the long-term hope at the position, with the Suns somewhat puzzlingly going back to Charlotte at the NBA Draft to also take their oft-injured starting big man in Mark Williams. With Oso Ighodaro also able to spend time at the five, that's a wrap for Richards in Phoenix.

Which is a shame because he appeared to have settled nicely and liked it there, but the reality is he can also fetch the front office something of value in return for his services. A first round pick seems optimistic, but either a young role player in need of a change of scenery or a known commodity off the bench seems like a fair trade. It was brief but fun while it lasted.

1. Royce O'Neale

The reason Royce O'Neale is also going to be moved has similarities to Allen - and at 32-years-old - you would think he wouldn't have much value around the league at this point. But if you watched how easily he fit with Booker and Durant last season - which we now know is not an easy task - then you'll know that a contender is going to come knocking for his services eventually.

Which is what the Suns were last season - in theory anyway - and why O'Neale made a ton of sense on that roster. That's no longer the case, and from the perspective of the Suns the chance to get something of value back from a rival that is panicking as they try to improve their roster is again higher than it would be when it comes to dealing with Allen.

There is a chance O'Neale begins the season with the Suns - he does feel like a deadline move waiting to happen - but making him available now could also appeal to other organizations. Much like Allen his path to playing time in Phoenix is limited, while securing him for a whole season if you're a fringe contender because of his 3-point shooting ability is appealing. O'Neale will be on the move.