The Phoenix Suns have no fewer than nine new faces through the doors already, and chances are they are not finished yet. With Grayson Allen, Nick Richards and even Royce O'Neale all rumored to be available, we could yet see more changes to a defensive-minded roster that is taking shape around Devin Booker.
Some of the rookies are clearly going to take time to get used to the NBA, but the front office appears to be shifting in a different direction anyway. One that has seen them grab a former EuroLeague MVP in Nigel Hayes-Davis, while also making great use of their two-way contracts. Second round draft pick Koby Brea having already gotten fans excited with his style of play.
Isaiah Livers the perfect addition on a two-way deal for Suns.
The addition of forward Isaiah Livers on a two-way contract has flown under the radar, and with good reasons. Mere days after the news was made official, Bradley Beal was officially bought out by the franchise. Livers also missed all of last season with a hip injury that required surgery, which is another reason it hasn't moved the needle for a lot of fans.
But that is why this was such a good choice, because it is the kind of buy low move that the Suns need to make as they seek to find value for the back end of their roster and beyond. Livers unfortunately does not fill the glaring need for a point guard, but he's still only 26-years-old and makes sense on the version of the roster that the front office are building.
Suns two-way forward Isaiah Livers says he's "inspired" by Collin Gillespie earning a full contract after last season 😤 pic.twitter.com/u4grWpxa6e
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) July 13, 2025
While not known as a defensive menace by any means, Livers will be able to take some minutes from Oso Ighodaro and Ryan Dunn over the course of a long season. Both look to have taken strides forward at Summer League - particuarly as leaders who want extra responsibility - but they have also both shown that like any young player they will struggle for consistency.
What better way to add depth than with a young and hungry player who missed all of last season and who has averaged 21.8 minutes per game across nearly 100 contests in the league. Livers was a member of the Detroit Pistons - the only team he has played for - at a time when they weren't very good.
But if anything that experience is going to help a younger Suns roster that might not even make the play-in, and fans have already embraced the shift in expectations. This is the perfect time and place for Livers to stake his claim in the league, and if anything he is overqualified for the role of two-way player. The Suns will profit from this over the course of a long season.