Plenty of decisions lie ahead for the Phoenix Suns this offseason, and one of the biggest revolves around the center position. Mark Williams is set to become a restricted free agent, carrying a qualifying offer of $9.6 million. That leaves Phoenix with plenty to sort through when it comes to the future of the position.
One thing they don’t have to worry about, however, is Oso Ighodaro.
Ighodaro is slated to make $2.3 million next season, his third year in the NBA. Originally, his contract was partially
guaranteed. He was set to earn $500,000 guaranteed, with the remaining $1.8 million becoming guaranteed if he remained on the roster through January 10, 2027.
According to Bobby Marks, that guarantee has already kicked in.
Given what Oso meant to the team last season, that doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Honestly, the bigger surprise is that the guarantee already occurred, and it largely flew under the radar.
Oso was integral to executing Jordan Ott’s system. Yes, the jumper still needs work. That part is obvious. The way he facilitates, processes the game, and makes quick decisions with his high basketball IQ is incredibly valuable, especially in a system that asks a lot from its centers. When you consider he was selected 40th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, he feels like a steal at this point. And getting that kind of production and versatility for $2.3 million is an easy decision.
There are plenty of other decisions that still need to be made. It’s nice knowing this one has already been made for you.
There are still two players on the roster carrying non-guaranteed contracts for next season. Haywood Highsmith has $1 million guaranteed, though his full $3.8 million salary does not become guaranteed until January 10, 2027. The same is true for Jamaree Bouyea. That provides another layer of flexibility for Phoenix moving forward. It gives the organization time. Time to evaluate Highsmith. Time to evaluate Bouyea. Time to see how the roster comes together before making permanent financial commitments.
And considering the Suns are likely to spend the season navigating luxury tax and first apron hurdles, every ounce of flexibility matters.
In a summer that will be defined by difficult decisions and financial constraints, having a few easy ones matters. Oso Ighodaro has already proven he belongs, and the Suns now have cost certainty at a position where very little else is certain. As Phoenix continues trying to balance flexibility, development, and competitiveness, knowing you have a valuable rotation player locked in at a team-friendly number is one less thing keeping the front office up at night.
