The final roster cuts for the Phoenix Suns are coming soon, with the deadline set for Saturday to make any last moves. The team has already waived Tyrese Samuel and Damion Baugh, but decisions still remain
on Jared Butler and David Duke Jr. Right now, there are 16 players for 15 spots.
The battle between Jordan Goodwin, whose non-guaranteed deal doesn’t lock in until January 7 after being waived by the Lakers, and Jared Butler has been one of the more interesting storylines of the preseason. It’s possible the team could waive David Duke Jr. and keep Butler to round out the roster.
But according to Arizona Sports insider John Gambadoro, that’s not how he sees it playing out.
The reasoning is simple. If you sign Jared Butler, you have to add him to the roster, which means paying him roughly $2.6 million and tacking that onto the Suns’ cap total. While Phoenix isn’t close to hitting the first apron, they’re just $260,000 under the luxury tax. Adding Butler now would push them over that line, a move that doesn’t make much financial sense at this point in time unless you are in dire need.
By waiting, the Suns keep flexibility. They can evaluate their roster over the next few weeks, see where the cracks are, and address them when injuries or weaknesses inevitably show up. That’s the time to make an addition like Butler.
If he does get waived, though, expect another team to scoop him up quickly. He was one of the Suns’ standouts this preseason, averaging 15.5 points and five assists on 47/35/67 shooting splits.
At the end of the day, these final cuts aren’t about who deserves it most, but about timing, money, and margins. The Suns are playing a long game, one that values adaptability over impulse. Butler proved he belongs in this league, and whether it’s in Phoenix or somewhere else, he’ll land on his feet.
For now, the Suns’ front office will keep the ink dry and the options open, betting that the right move at the right moment will matter more than the quick one.
