ESPN NBA insider Bobby Marks believes the surprisingly competitive Phoenix Suns should be cautious about making any knee-jerky moves around the trade deadline, citing the current dynamic in the locker room.
“I kind of equate Phoenix as a guy who’s sitting at … if you like to play blackjack or poker, I guess, who’s on a little bit of a hot streak, and it’s kind of just the time to walk away from the table. Just kind of pick up your chips and just kind of be right content where you are.”
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Marks cited the big splashes Phoenix made in the past to acquire Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal as reasons the Suns should be wary.
“And I do think you do have to be careful because I think it’s one thing how you view a player on the court and how he can mesh with his teammates and stuff. But I think there’s a dynamic within that locker room,” Marks said.
Marks said there are still moves to be made for the Suns, which could include offloading Nick Richards’ expiring $5 million contract.
Richards recently has not been part of the Suns’ rotation. He’s averaged just 9.1 minutes per game this season and could be traded to help the Suns’ tax bill.
“We’ll see if they want to get under the luxury tax,” Marks said. “I think you can do that without impacting your roster.”
Could the Suns get under the luxury tax?
The Suns are very narrowly over the NBA luxury tax threshold and could make a move to save an extra $14 to $15 million, according to Marks.
“I know that’s probably not the first agenda and everything like that, but I do think that’s something that if you want to do, there’s a move out there to do,” Marks said.
The Suns’ current total team salary is approximately $188.1 million, just slightly above the $187.895 million tax line.
Since the Suns have been over the luxury tax in three of the past four seasons, they would be subject to repeater tax penalties if they don’t get under the line.
“Listen, if you’re that close, I don’t care if you’re the wealthiest owner in the NBA, an extra $14 to $15 million is something nice to have to use whether it be building out, maybe adding some more staff into your department or doing some other things with it here. So I do think that’s something that you could look at,” Marks said.
Marks said the Suns are in a really good spot to have some flexibility.
“It’s nice to aggregate contracts and take back more money and that’s something they haven’t been able to do the last couple of years,” Marks said.
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