The waiver moves are settled, and Drew Timme's place on the roster backs up the report that the Suns claimed him. The Ighodaro extension matters most of anything reported, it has not been announced, and the payroll leaves almost nothing for a bigger swing.
Ighodaro deal pending. Duane Rankin reported Oct. 18 that the Suns and Oso Ighodaro were discussing an extension, rated 38 confidence. A second report that day said they agreed to three years and $29MM, rated 34. Both are still open, and the team has announced nothing. The talks look real, but nothing is signed. His oblique has him targeting the Oct. 30 Nuggets game.
Moves that are done. John Gambadoro reported the Haywood Highsmith waiver on Oct. 17 and the CJ Huntley waiver on Oct. 19, and both are confirmed. Koby Brea's waiver and Duop Reath's move to a two-way deal are confirmed too. All four moves point the same way: cheaper bodies and a thinner rotation behind the stars.
Timme on the roster. The report that Phoenix claimed Drew Timme off waivers on Oct. 19 rates only 35 confidence and is still marked open. The roster answers the practical question: Timme is listed at forward, No. 2, age 26. Here the roster says more than the confidence score does.
Low-grade noise. Three items rate 20 confidence. Brian Gregory's Oct. 3 comments on Ott, Booker, Bridges and Green were an interview, not a transaction. A report says the Suns picked up 2027/28 options on Ryan Dunn and Khaman Maluach. Dillon Brooks's Sept. 30 misdemeanor DUI charge has no reported resolution, and he is scoring 14.7 a night.
Cap sheet heat check. Payroll is $213.8M, over the apron and past the luxury tax threshold of $200.4M. Devin Booker at $57.1M and Jalen Green at $36.3M anchor it. Miles Bridges ($22.8M), Brooks ($20.0M) and Bradley Beal's $19.4M player option fill it out. Any trade means sending real salary out.
Few chips to spend. The 2027 first-rounder goes to Houston, the 2029 second goes to New York, and the 2028, 2029 and 2030 firsts are all swaps. Mark Williams is sidelined until a projected Feb. 3, 2027 return, so any help at center has to come cheap, and Phoenix has little left to send.
Did the Suns sign Oso Ighodaro to an extension?
An Oct. 18 report said Phoenix and Ighodaro agreed to a three-year, $29MM extension, but it is still open and the team has not announced it. Duane Rankin reported the same day that the two sides were discussing a deal.
Are the Suns over the luxury tax?
Yes. Phoenix's payroll is $213.8M, past the luxury tax threshold of $200.4M and over the apron, so there is very little room to add salary.
