Thirteen players under contract. Two spots left. The Phoenix Suns, as of this moment, do not have a full roster. That means there’s room. Wiggle room. Breathing room. Yes, I realize this sounds like I’m walking you through kindergarten arithmetic, breaking down roster construction like it’s Snack Time with Mr. Numbers. And for that, I apologize.
It’s the question of the moment, isn’t it? What should the Suns do with those final two roster spots? Who’s out there worth the ink on a contract? Is there anyone
who genuinely moves the needle, not just a body to fill space, but someone who might claw their way into the rotation, make an impact, or at the very least push the guys ahead of them in practice?
Do they want that? Or is this about development? About allocating minutes to young players, rolling the dice on upside, and leaning into the long view?
These are all valid questions. Necessary ones, even. Because the Phoenix Suns aren’t just filling a depth chart, they’re trying to build something real. Something lasting. An identity. A culture. And that doesn’t happen overnight. You don’t just declare yourself gritty and expect it to stick. Toughness is earned. Mentality is molded. That kind of transformation takes time. Sometimes a season. Sometimes longer. But it always starts with intent.
Which brings us here. The market is thin. The names are familiar. The dreaded retread conversation rises from the ashes once again. But among that pile of maybe’s and what-if’s, there’s one name that still makes a little sense.
Josh Okogie.
#Hornets have waived Josh Okogie, league sources told The Observer. His $7.7 million salary for next season would have been guaranteed today after sides agreed to push back original date.
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) July 15, 2025
We’ve danced this dance before, and we’re all well aware of his flaws. Limited offensive ceiling, streaky shooting, an occasional “what are you doing?” moment.
But let’s not pretend we didn’t love what he brought. The hustle. The defensive bite. The chaos he created on the boards. The pace. The pride. When the Suns were searching for an edge, he gave them one.
And it’s not just us. Warrior fans would love an Okogie. Lakers fans, too. Every team needs a guy like that tucked away deep on the bench, a plug-and-play energy source, ready to go to war the second his number gets called.
So yeah, I can see the vision. I can see a world where Okogie returns and fits like a well-worn glove in what this new-look Suns team is trying to become.
The real question is: does Phoenix’s front office see it too?
Sure, you’re not tossing a chunk of the midlevel his way. Not after clawing back this precious flexibility. But a vet minimum deal? A low-risk, high-character signing who might actually help you win a game or two down the line? That’s the kind of decision that might not make headlines...but might make a difference.
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