EMPIRE OF THE SUNS

Report: Suns opt against making Aaron Holiday restricted free agent

Jun 29, 2022, 1:35 PM | Updated: 2:10 pm

The Phoenix Suns will not extend a qualifying offer to backup guard Aaron Holiday before NBA free agency begins, making him an unrestricted free agent and giving the team financial relief as it potentially goes into luxury tax territory for the first time in over a decade, reports HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Holiday could have been sent a $5.8 million qualifying offer for next season that would have allowed Phoenix to match any opposing team’s contract offer.

It’s unsurprising after Holiday fell out of favor — even among a backup guard group including Cam Payne, Landry Shamet and Elfrid Payton that struggled last season.

Holiday made six playoff appearances but never played more than six minutes.

The brother of fellow NBA players Jrue and Justin Holiday, Aaron was the No. 23 pick in the 2018 draft.

He spent his first three seasons with the Indiana Pacers before splitting last year with the Washington Wizards and Suns. Phoenix acquired him at the trade deadline using cash and bringing his salary on via a disabled player trade exception related to injured big man Dario Saric.

Holiday made 22 regular-season appearances for Phoenix and averaged 6.8 points and 3.4 assists with 44% three-point accuracy.

The Suns have reportedly extended a qualifying offer to starting center Deandre Ayton and could make Ish Wainright and Iffe Lundberg restricted free agents by sending qualifying offers their way.

Phoenix also has unrestricted free agents JaVale McGee, Bismack Biyombo and Payton entering the market that officially opens to negotiations on Thursday afternoon.

Empire of the Suns

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, drives around Phoenix Suns forward Torr...
Kevin Zimmerman

What’s at stake in each of the Suns’ remaining games?

Kevin Durant's potential return from an ankle injury after a reevaluation sits a week out for the Phoenix Suns.
18 hours ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket past Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns collapse in 4th quarter of road loss to Thunder

The Suns were in control for most of Sunday's game against the Thunder but bad turnovers eventually caught up to them.
3 days ago
Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns blocks a shot by Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during t...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns hold on vs. Magic to snap 3-game losing streak

Sometimes getting that win to end a skid is like pulling teeth, and it was like that for the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
6 days ago
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 14: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Jae Crowd...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns’ comeback loses steam late in loss to Bucks

The Phoenix Suns' margin for error just isn't much without Kevin Durant and they aren't playing well enough right now to win through it.
7 days ago
Jae Crowder #99 of the Milwaukee Bucks takes the court for player introductions prior to a game aga...
Kellan Olson

Jae Crowder receives some cheers, boos from Suns fans in Phoenix return

It was a mixed reception for Jae Crowder when he returned to Footprint Center for the first time since the Phoenix Suns traded him.
8 days ago
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (2) and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) walk down the co...
Kevin Zimmerman

Suns still have unsettled Western Conference tiebreakers

Ten of the Phoenix Suns' 14 remaining games are against teams jumbled in the Western Conference playoff race.
8 days ago
Report: Suns opt against making Aaron Holiday restricted free agent