With the NBA salary cap set, the Suns are ready for free agency
Jun 30, 2018, 5:31 PM | Updated: 7:39 pm
Phoenix Suns new head coach Igor Kokoskov, right, arrives with general manager Ryan McDonough to speak to the media Monday, May 14, 2018, in Phoenix. Kokoskov will oversee a vastly improved team after they compiled the worst record in the NBA last season. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
The 2018-19 NBA salary cap has been set at $101.869 million, slightly higher than projected.
The Phoenix Suns, who waived point guard Tyler Ulis and are expected to renounce the rights to center Alex Len and point guard Elfrid Payton, according to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro, will have a payroll of $89.9 million.
That will give the team about $11.9 million in cap space, according to Cleaning The Glass.
To create more room, the Suns can also waive center Alan Williams, shooting guard Davon Reed and point guard Shaquille Harrison.
Doing so would give them about $18.7 million total to spend this offseason.
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The team pushed back Reed’s guaranteed contract date to beyond the NBA Summer League. The decision on Williams is set for Friday.
Harrison will be owed $50,000 if he’s on the roster on August 1.
Even with the Suns opening almost $20 million in cap space, it likely wouldn’t be enough for a max-level player going onto his second contract. Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon is a restricted free agent who could command a max contract a little under $25 million.
Phoenix would likely have to also get out from under the contract of center Tyson Chandler or Jared Dudley. The Magic would still be able to match any offer the Suns make to Gordon.
A forward like Jabari Parker may be more in the Suns’ price range, but his injury history may halt Phoenix’s pursuit of the forward who has shown potential with the Milwaukee Bucks.
General manager Ryan McDonough has said he’s looking to sign a stretch-four and add depth at point guard. If the Suns waive Harrison and Ulis, they wouldn’t have a point guard on the roster who played a single minute in the NBA last season.
A high-profile option would be Marcus Smart, but he may be worth $12-14 million per year, according to ESPN.
Outside of Smart and Toronto Raptors’ Fred VanVleet, the Suns could go after an unrestricted free agent such as Rajon Rondo of the New Orleans Pelicans or try to trade for a player like the L.A. Clippers’ Patrick Beverley.
