At first glance, the Phoenix Suns’ reported decision to re-sign Josh Okogie didn’t seem like a particularly significant one on Thursday.
However, it was quite significant from a payroll perspective.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the Suns agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with Okogie on Thursday and noted the contract is non-guaranteed for the second season to give the front office more flexibility.
After that deal, ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted the Suns are now the first team in NBA history with a payroll of $400 million. That payroll is made up of $223 million in salaries and $198 million in the projected tax.
Marks explained some of the rationale behind the details of the Okogie contract:
From a basketball perspective, Okogie likely won’t make or break the Suns’ upcoming 2024-25 campaign.
After all, he is a secondary contributor at best who averaged 4.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 41.7 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from deep last season.
He, just like most of the players on the team, will be overshadowed by the duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
However, that supporting cast will have to play at a much higher level in 2024-25 if Phoenix wants to avoid becoming an expensive disappointment.
The Suns made plenty of headlines by bringing Durant, Booker and Bradley Beal together ahead of last season just to be swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. Durant and Booker averaged a combined 54.3 points per game in that series, but they didn’t receive nearly enough help to counter Anthony Edwards and Co.
Beal was the biggest disappointment from the supporting cast considering he fouled out of the final game and shot an ugly 4-of-13 from the field.
Ultimately, Phoenix will have to deal with the Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers and others in a loaded Western Conference. Having Durant and Booker on the floor will give it a chance against any opponent, but another early exit would surely set the team up to be something of a punchline.
Especially with that payroll.