Suns Trim to 14, Apron Math Unchanged

Three Players Out. Phoenix waived Phillip Wheeler, Kennedy Chandler and Haywood Highsmith on Oct. 18, the first roster moves of the season. Highsmith was owed $3.4 million in the deal; cutting him leaves Jamaree Bouyea as the 14th man heading into the opener.

Apron Math Unchanged. Trimming three bodies didn't move the number: Phoenix carries $216.2 million in payroll, over the NBA's first apron and the $200.4 million tax line. Devin Booker's $57.1 million anchors it, with Jalen Green, Miles Bridges and Dillon Brooks each above $20 million.

Ighodaro Not Cleared. Oso Ighodaro went from a rest day-to-day tag on Oct. 14 to a hip issue on Oct. 17, and he is still not cleared. He's one of two frontcourt names Phoenix is watching with the opener three days out.

Kennard's Knee Lingers. Luke Kennard has carried a knee tag since Oct. 15, with no update since, despite scoring 20 points in the Oct. 10 win over San Antonio. Phoenix hasn't said whether he's available for the opener.

Preseason Closes 1-2. Phoenix blew a 13-point lead and lost 116-119 to Utah on Oct. 16, closing preseason at 1-2. Devin Booker finished with 16 points and 6 assists; Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green each scored 18.

Closing Five Untested. The group that played the final five minutes against Utah, Bouyea, Koa Peat, Koby Brea, Pat Spencer and Rasheer Fleming, has no regular-season minutes together. Whether Jordan Ott trusts that lineup when a real game is close is still unanswered.