The Phoenix Suns and guard Josh Okogie have agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract that will keep Okogie with the organization, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
The signing means the Suns have become the first team to spend $400 million in salaries and tax in NBA history, as relayed by Bobby Marks of ESPN.
“The Okogie signing is smart and gives Phoenix a $8 million trade asset to use during the season,” Marks wrote. “Because of the rules of the second apron, his salary cannot be aggregated with other players on the Phoenix roster. The contract had to be two years because he was signed with Early Bird Rights.”
The Suns were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs and are banking on improvement from within.
Okogie, 25, is 6-foot-4 and appeared in 60 games last season, averaging 4.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists, shooting 41.7% from the field and 30.9% on 3-pointers. He spent the first four seasons of his career with the Wolves before joining the Suns for the last two. He is considered one of the NBA’s staunchest on-ball defenders.
“Nice payday for Josh Okogie to effectively be turned into a living trade exception,” wrote Keith Smith of Spotrac. “The Suns needed to create some tradable salary and Okogie got paid nicely to be that guy.”
Rumors surrounded the Suns’ Big Three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal earlier this summer, but those were quickly shot down by owner Mat Ishbia and head of basketball operations James Jones. Especially as those rumors pertained to Durant.
“It’s the stuff that gets clicks and that everyone wants to talk about, but I think I said it specifically back on May 19 when I was asked are we trading Kevin Durant,” Jones told reporters, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “I said no then, I’ll say no now. I’ll continue to get asked.”
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
