The Phoenix Suns remained active in trying to keep this core intact long-term on Wednesday, as they extended Dillon Brooks on a three-year, $73 million deal that should take him through the rest of his prime. This is not necessarily a home run move, as although the franchise had to bring back their emotional heartbeat, they look poised for regression next season.
One-third of NBA will have cap space next summer, Suns not one of them
Tied into this extension news for the Canadian international is the fact that, as things stand, up to one-third of the teams will have cap space of some kind to outright sign big names next summer. It won't surprise you to find out that the Suns are not one of those organizations.
While the contract Brooks has signed is easily moved, Phoenix really has locked itself into the group they've now put around 29-year-old Booker.
All indicators point towards Miles Bridges getting a re-up of his own at some point, while Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin (who still don't fix glaring issues) have already gotten new contracts. So too has center Mark Williams, while Rasheer Fleming, Koa Peat and Khaman Maluach figure to be part of the next generation in The Valley.
So no matter how badly next season goes, the Suns are going to sit on the sidelines while everybody from LeBron James to Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, and even Kevin Durant could hit the open market. Waiting to strike are franchises including the always active Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, and Chicago Bulls.
Jalen Green last hope Suns have of major improvement around Booker
They do have one potential out in the form of second overall pick Jalen Green, who could be a trade option. The idea of trading him is surely better than the rumored point guard experiment of last season.
But his trade value has never been lower, and an injury-hit first campaign in Phoenix did little to change that fact. If the Suns are banking on getting a haul back for him that could vault Booker back into another deep playoff run, they are currently sorely mistaken.
So while the franchise had to bring back Brooks, doing so ties them to this group when 12 months from now some huge names could be available to sign. The Suns won't be part of that process, as they will have Brooks and Bridges at home to play alongside Booker.
All of that goes without mentioning having Bradley Beal on your payroll until 2030.
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