With all of the massive free agency moves taking place across the NBA right now, you would be forgiven for missing Josh Okogie landing with the Utah Jazz on a two-year, $12 million deal.
The Nigerian international had an up-and-down time while with the Phoenix Suns, but there is no doubt that on the right night and alongside more offensive-minded teammates, he can thrive.
Okogie addition sets up future monster move in that should worry Suns
You would think the 27-year-old going to the Jazz would have no impact on the Suns, but unfortunately you would be wrong. The Okogie signing coming mere days after that organization executed a superb sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Lakers that saw them land a pair of first rounders and two first round pick swaps for center Walker Kessler.
Utah now boasting a ton of draft capital, alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ace Bailey and Darryn Peterson. In other words, they are primed to make a massive trade once they have figured out which of their veterans they will be keeping with their young core to go all in to try and win.
Free agent F/G Josh Okogie has agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Utah Jazz, sources tell ESPN. Okogie -- a wing defender who shot 38.5% from 3 last season in Houston -- considered several suitors before the Jazz received the commitment tonight from Okogie and his… pic.twitter.com/Bh9RN9KaHo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2026
Whenever that happens, and Markkanen plus four firsts gets you into basically any conversation in the league, the Suns sre going to be left in the dust.
They don't have the ability to make a move like this outside of trading Devin Booker, which won't be happening. Which only serves to highlight the importance of Okogie even more.
The Jazz either add him to a deal as salary filler (more important than ever in this era of first and second aprons), or else he is the perfect end of bench veteran for when Utah trades away their picks and some depth to get a superstar in the building.
We've seen enough of Okogie now to know that he is at his best as the eighth or ninth man on a playoff rotation. Slipping into the Royce O'Neale spot looks to be his ceiling at this point, and both the Jazz and future trade partners could do with having that on their roster.
The Suns looking even worse in light of all of this, having somehow given up an unprotected first in order to acquire Miles Bridges. This at a time when that level of pick was landing other franchises guys such as Jaylen Brown.
If the season started today the Suns could talk themselves into finishing about the Jazz in the regular season standings. The Okogie addition means that won't be the case for much longer.
Add us as a preferred source on Google