Suns Trim the Roster, Payroll Math Still Bites

Fourteen bodies, not fifteen. The Suns waived Haywood Highsmith on October 17, then saw Kennedy Chandler and Phillip Wheeler leave the same week; Highsmith still carried $3.4 million this season before the move. The moves trim the roster to 14 heading into Wednesday's opener at Portland.

The bill hasn't moved. Payroll sits at $216.2 million, above the apron line that restricts trade tools and well past the $200.4 million luxury tax threshold. Booker's $57.1 million leads the sheet, then Green's $36.3 million, Bridges' $22.8 million, Brooks' $20.0 million and Beal's $19.4 million player option.

Ighodaro talks extension. Duane Rankin reported October 18 that Phoenix and Oso Ighodaro are discussing a contract extension, even as Ighodaro sits day-to-day with a hip and torso issue first listed October 17. No return date has been given.

Draft ledger stays complicated. Phoenix owes its 2027 first-round selection to Houston and has swapped away control of six more picks through 2029, including a 2029 second-round pick owed to New York. The 2030 first and second rounds carry swaps too.

Minutes spike when someone sits. Brooks has played 39 minutes a night over his last three outings, scoring 28.7 points, whenever a teammate is out. Ighodaro's minutes have climbed by 12 a night in that same stretch, and Green's are up by 13 — both still small samples.

Opener is five days out. Phoenix opens the real season October 21 at Portland, then hosts Golden State October 24 on NBA TV, visits Oklahoma City October 26 and welcomes Denver October 30 in an Emirates NBA Cup game.

Two injuries still open. Mark Williams remains out with a left shoulder and arm issue, targeted to be back by February 3. Luke Kennard is day-to-day with a left knee and leg issue first listed October 15, with no update since.