Phoenix claimed Drew Timme off waivers and waived CJ Huntley and Koby Brea, the last shuffle before Wednesday's opener in Portland. Payroll now reads $213.8 million, still over the apron, and the starting center is still unnamed.
Timme arrives, two depart. Drew Timme, a 26-year-old forward with two years of experience, is the newest Sun, claimed off waivers per Hoops Rumors and RealGM. CJ Huntley was waived, a move John Gambadoro had first, and Koby Brea followed him out. Hoops Rumors also reports Duop Reath is being converted to a two-way contract.
The bill after the cuts. The payroll dropped from $216.2 million to $213.8 million, still above the $209.0 million first-apron line and the $200.4 million tax line. Devin Booker's $57.1 million leads, then Jalen Green at $36.3 million, Miles Bridges at $22.8 million, Dillon Brooks at $20.0 million, and Bradley Beal's $19.4 million still counts.
Center is still a secret. Arizona Sports' Kellan Olson wrote that the Suns remain secretive about naming a starting center. Mark Williams is sidelined with a left shoulder issue and is not projected back until February 3. That leaves Khaman Maluach, 20, Reath and Oso Ighodaro as the bodies in the middle, with no starter announced.
Two names to watch Wednesday. Ighodaro carries a hip issue and Luke Kennard a left knee issue, and both list October 21 as the earliest return. Kennard scored 20 in the preseason win over the Spurs on October 10. In the final tune-up, a 116-119 loss to the Jazz on October 16, Brooks scored 18 and Green matched him.
The number is 1.4. Last season's net rating was plus 1.4, a 114.2 offense against a 112.9 defense, good for 45-37. Booker averaged 26.1 points but shot 33.0 percent from three, and Olson's other column this week asked why he is not a better shooter. The star is paid like a scorer, not a sniper.
The open question. The 2027 first-round pick is owed to Houston, swaps run through 2030, and the 2029 second goes to New York. Valley of the Suns' Ben Leibowitz wrote that Phoenix may already regret not pushing for Ja Morant. If the opening month goes sideways, what trade path is actually left?
Who did the Suns claim off waivers?
Drew Timme, a 26-year-old forward, joined Phoenix on a waiver claim while CJ Huntley and Koby Brea were waived.
Who is hurt for the Suns' opener in Portland?
Mark Williams is out until a projected February 3 return. Oso Ighodaro, with a hip issue, and Luke Kennard, with a left knee issue, both list October 21 as their earliest return.
