Phoenix Suns next steps after Bradley Beal contract buyout

What are the Suns next moves?

The first order of business is to use the $5.68 Mid-Level Exception to sign a point guard in free agency. Despite NBA free agency beginning over two weeks ago, the options still available are stellar. The remaining free agents are all veteran playmaking guards that could bring some much needed experience to the roster.

Chris Paul has been rumored to make a return to the Valley. Next season will be the 40-year-old’s farewell tour and could reunite with good friend Devin Booker. The pair had great success together, making it the NBA Finals in 2021 and winning 64 games in 2022. Since then, both sides have hit a rough patch with team success. However, Paul is still one of the top floor generals in the league and could help enhance Booker’s play.

Another reunion could be with Cameron Payne. The 30-year-old was the sixth man during those Booker-Paul Suns team and brought a spark off the bench. Payne could return to Phoenix in a starting role and give the roster some reliable shooting, as he’s shot above 36% from 3 the past three seasons.

Longshots could be Russell Westbrook or Ben Simmons. The pair of former All-Stars could revive their career in the Valley, but likely want to resign with their teams from this past season. Cory Joseph started for the Orlando Magic this past season in the playoffs and provided toughness for a young team. Joseph could join Dillon Brooks in being the enforcers for this Suns team.

Once Gregory figures out how to use the MLE, then its time to trade Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale. The pair of shooting guards make a combined $28 million next season and should be used to find a bigger defensive wing in the trade market. Allen and O’Neale are both 6’4, and despite their stellar shooting, them being undersized hurt the team’s defense last season.

Wings that make around $28 million:

• Miami Heat Andrew Wiggins $28.2 million
• New Orleans Pelicans Trey Murphy $25 million
• Cleveland Cavaliers De’Andre Hunter $23.3 million
• Charlette Hornets Miles Bridges $25 million

Wiggins would be a dream for Phoenix. The 6’7 forward shot 37% from beyond the arc and averaged 18.0 points and 4.5 rebounds last season. The former All-Star is a premier defensive wing, which was showcased in the 2022 NBA Finals when he locked up Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum to win his first NBA Championship.

The Pelicans have stated that Murphy is for sale and is looking for a young player, veteran and picks. The Suns could throw a package of Allen, O’Neale, a couple of seconds and either one of their new rookies or Oso Ighodaro, who has been stellar in Summer League so far. Murphy is 25 years old and is coming off a career year, recording 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

Hunter seems like the odd man out in Cleveland, as the team is well over the second apron and will need to cut salary eventually. It is unclear if they’ll do it this offseason, but Gregory should be ready to call the Cavaliers on speed dial if Hunter is available. Hunter finished fourth in sixth man of the year voting and averaged 19.0 points before being traded to Cleveland.

It appears that the Suns and the Hornets have great trade chemistry, making multiple deals in the past few months. Why not continue it with Phoenix grabbing Bridges. The 27-year-old is another 20-point per game scorer, but his contract is interesting as it decreases for the 2026-2027 season, going from $25 million to $22 million. Bridges is a streaky shooter but can get you a bucket on any night.

Once Gregory figures out those two steps, the roster will be nearly complete. After the dust settles from the Kevin Durant trade and Beal Buyout, the Suns appear to be unscathed and ready to make a run next season.