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Smith takes a pay cut

Josh Smith is finally becoming the team player that everyone wishes he had been all along.  J Smoove has restructured this contract for next year, only costing the team $1.5 million against the cap.  With the probable return of Kemba Walker at $12 million and likely return of Omer Asik, costing about $9.2 next season, the Suns will likely have 6 players and $30.3 million already spoken for.

Josh’s willingness to take the monster pay cut means the Suns can go all out in trying to re-sign Monta Ellis, who would cost another $11 million, putting the team’s cap around $41 million.  Markel Brown is expected to be in Purple and Orange also, but his contract is negligible.  James Ennis and Jason Terry want to return and Kyle O’Quinn will need to be moved in a Sign and Trade.  Even if the Suns don’t net a player return for O’Quinn, they would have 10 players under contract if this played out as written.  Chandler Parsons will likely be on the move, but you’ll have to read the upcoming article, which will discuss Parsons at length.

What does this mean for Phoenix?  Well, for starters, it means they can take on 1 to 2 larger contracts via free agency or possible trade.  There is a rumor gaining momentum that the Suns already have at least 1 trade in place for younger player, but his salary wouldn’t be close to putting the Suns near the minimum salary, so expect Phoenix to really be aggressive with those larger contract veterans come October.

What would the Suns need in free agency?  Well, for starters they would need a back up center.  Koufos will undoubtedly leave, as he believes he deserves to be a starter.  O’Quinn will be traded.  There is no other big man that could play center on the current roster.  The Suns are also in the market for another SF, wing type player and perhaps a good power forward to add depth to the roster.

Who would the Suns trade with?  Early indications are that the Suns have opened up lines of communication with both Philadelphia AND Minnesota, two teams that are looking for cap relief.  Who would the Suns be after though?  LMA?  Lowry? Evans? DeRozan?  No one knows, or no one is talking.