The Phoenix Suns have made notable roster adjustments, waiving veteran forward Nassir Little and second-year guard EJ Liddell. This decision results in an open roster spot, providing the Suns with some flexibility for future signings.
Nassir Little's Short Stint
Acquired as part of the blockbuster trade surrounding Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, Nassir Little's time with Phoenix has come to an abrupt end. In his sole season with the Suns, Little averaged 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds over 45 games. Despite showing promise, his performance was not enough to secure a long-term position with the team. The Suns have decided to utilize the stretch provision in his waiver, a financial strategy that will spread out the remaining $21 million of his three-year contract, paying Little $3 million annually until 2032.
EJ Liddell’s Brief Tenure
Similarly, second-year guard EJ Liddell finds himself looking for a new team. Originally a second-round pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2022, Liddell’s career has been marred by injury. An ACL tear during the Summer League in 2022 sidelined him for his entire rookie season. Moving between teams, from the Pelicans to the Hawks in the Dejounte Murray deal, and then from the Hawks to the Suns in exchange for David Roddy, Liddell played merely eight games for the Pelicans last season. Most of his time was spent in the G League as he struggled to regain form and fitness.
Financial Implications
The catalyst for these decisions is the Suns' financial situation. With a league-high payroll of $219 million, the Suns are currently exceeding the "second apron," a critical financial threshold that carries significant limitations. These restrictions include the inability to aggregate salaries in trades, trade for more money than they send out, use any version of the mid-level exception, or sign buyout market players whose initial salary exceeded the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. By waiving Little and Liddell, the Suns are maneuvering around these financial constraints, although Little’s stretched salary will still impact their books until 2032.
Future Moves
Despite these financial hurdles, the Suns demonstrated their strategic acumen earlier this summer by securing Tyus Jones on a minimum contract, indicating their capability to attract talent even under monetary restrictions. The recently vacated roster spot offers the Suns an opportunity to scout and sign emerging talent or veterans willing to accept minimum offers. This space could be pivotal as the Suns look to bolster their lineup for the upcoming season.
The Suns' management is clearly not shying away from tough decisions, prioritizing long-term financial flexibility and team composition over short-term player retention. This approach underscores their commitment to building a competitive team capable of navigating the complex landscape of NBA contractual and financial regulations.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the Suns utilize their open roster spot and how the waived players will fare in finding new opportunities. With their current payroll and roster dynamics, the Suns remain a team to watch both on and off the court.