Suns ruthlessly ditch two players ahead of new season

The Phoenix Suns made a surprising move on Wednesday, deciding to cut ties with a pair of players who some thought might figure in their rotation next season. Not that we were included in that way of thinking, as already discussed here both didn't even figure in our bench unit for 2024-25.

Shams Charania of The Athletic initially broke the news, with the outcome being that the organization have cut ties with Nassir Little and E.J. Liddell. Right away X was awash with other fanbases suggesting their team take a flier on Little, so he'll probably get another chance in the league. For Liddell though, it is unclear what his next move is.

What this really shows fans is that owner Mat Ishbia is as ruthlessly committed to winning as ever.

It is unclear if there was a trade market - this route being taken by the Suns would suggest that there was not - but moving on from Little while stretching out his deal and paying him for the next seven seasons makes a lot of sense from a business perspective. As Valley of the Suns alumni Gerald Bourguet excellently explains here.

The Suns have lowered their tax penalty some with this - which given how deep into the second apron the franchise was going - is good news. Not one that fans will be too concerned about, after all the penalties or salaries aren't coming out of their pockets. What they want to see is a championship win.

Which the dismissal of Little and Liddell, the Suns have also opened up another roster spot, which could have much more important implications in their quest for a championship. As already mentioned, neither player was going to get a consistent role even off the bench, so clearing the decks now makes perfect sense.

It allows the organization to look at intriguing options such as Markelle Fultz with a minimum contract, a player who is still without a team having been allowed to leave by the Orlando Magic this summer. Even if another point guard isn't the solution after adding both Tyus Jones and Monte Morris, this move gives the Suns some more flexibility at a time when they need it most.

Liddell was traded to the Suns for David Roddy only a couple of months back, but the case of Little is an interesting one. In theory he has the kind of skill set offensively that could provide some spark off the bench, while his four-year, $28 million deal (with $22 million remaining) looked easily tradeable for a still only 24-year-old player.

Evidently the market just wasn't there, and injuries and inconsistencies are sure to be the reason why. This is an exciting moment for fans though - as while they had to watch the team add Isaiah Thomas and Thaddeus Young for the stretch run last season - cutting these two now means they can get a better player in the door before the season starts who could actually help.