Suns Make It Official: Chandler and Reath In, Three Camp…

By the Suns Nightly Desk · Saturday, September 26

Phoenix made roster moves this week: Kennedy Chandler and Duop Reath officially joined on September 26, a day after Phillip Wheeler joined and three others - Camper, Camden, Hoiberg - left the roster. Reath immediately carries a Day-To-Day tag for a right foot and leg issue, with an estimated return of October 1.

Suns Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Two new names. Kennedy Chandler and Duop Reath joined the Suns on September 26. That followed Phillip Wheeler joining a day earlier, on September 25, the same day three players left the roster: Camper, Camden, Hoiberg.

Reath's quick tag. Reath is already Day-To-Day with a right foot and leg issue, an estimated return of October 1. He picked up the label the same week his signing became official, before he has logged a single practice with the group.

Chandler's small sample. Chandler played just 11 games last season but averaged 15.0 points, 6.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds, shooting 39.5 percent from three. It is a short sample, but it is the best per-game scoring and passing rate on the current roster.

Three-day stay ends. Camper, Camden, Hoiberg had only joined Phoenix on September 22. Three days later, on September 25, none of them were still on the roster, a reminder of how much churn a camp roster absorbs before a single preseason game.

Payroll still heavy. Phoenix carries a $216.2 million payroll, above the first apron, built around Devin Booker's $57.1 million salary and Jalen Green's $36.3 million deal. None of this week's roster moves change that math.

Center group thin. Mark Williams remains out following shoulder surgery, so Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro still carry the bulk of camp center minutes, with Reath set to join that group once his foot clears in October.

Preseason still ahead. Phoenix opens the preseason October 5 at the Pistons, then plays at the Bulls October 7 and hosts the Spurs on ESPN2 October 10, before the regular season opens October 21 at Portland.

On deck Phoenix's preseason opens October 5 at the Pistons, with the regular-season opener set for October 21 at Portland. Whether Chandler and Reath crack the rotation by then is still open.

Is Duop Reath on the Suns' active roster?

Yes, Reath officially joined Phoenix on September 26, though he is listed Day-To-Day with a right foot and leg issue, with an estimated return of October 1.

When do the Suns play their first preseason game?

Phoenix opens the preseason on October 5 at the Pistons, ahead of a regular-season opener on October 21 at Portland.