The 2024 NBA Draft was a fruitful experience for the Phoenix Suns. Despite many believing they might trade out of the draft altogether in favor of more proven veterans for another title push next season, the franchise instead selected no less than three players.
They engaged in a trade with the Denver Nuggets to make this happen - one that they absolutely won - and by the end of night two had taken Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, with the undrafted Jalen Bridges later signed on a two-way deal.
The addition of these three young and hungry players is a boost to the organization, but it also means other player's positions in The Valley are now under threat.
Perhaps that is why backup center Drew Eubanks surprisingly opted out of the final year of his deal, and instead hit unrestricted free agency. This despite not having the kind of season that guarantees more money or a longer contract elsewhere. It is telling that all three recruits are forwards/centers, and so Eubanks likely saw that the writing was on the wall.
It is not just the bigs on this roster who need to worry, as Dunn for example looks like a bigger version of rookie Mikal Bridges, and so room will need to be made to accommodate his defensive skills. It looks like it could be all change in Phoenix ahead of next season, and these five players should be worried about what it means for them moving forward.
5. Nassir Little
Beginning with the obvious, and the introduction of Dunn especially means it could be curtains for Nassir Little with the Suns. Coming over from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Deandre Ayton deal last season, it always felt like his contract was the main selling point of having him on this roster.
I need Nassir Little to change his number so Jalen Bridges can wear #25 (Mikal's Suns number). https://t.co/t9E228LFLA
— Ed Ongaigui (@Ongai) June 27, 2024
The Suns are firmly a second apron team, and the $7 million or so Little is making next season is a nice number to be able to trade down the line. Little managed just over 10 minutes a night in 45 appearances last season, and the 3.5 minutes he posted in the playoffs tells you all you need to know about his future with the Suns.
Unless he can convince coach Budenholzer that his possibly underrated offensive play warrants another look, it is hard to see him beating out rookies for minutes. Not because they're going to be better than Little - to begin with they most likely won't be - but because these guys raise the ceiling for the Suns. Something that would appear out of reach for Little at this point.