Suns Officially Waive Two Players

In a pair of expected moves reported last week, the Phoenix Suns have officially waived forwards Nassir Little and E.J. Liddell, according to the NBA transactions log.

The moves create an additional roster spot and give Phoenix some added flexibility heading into training camp.

Liddell, 23, is 6-foot-7 and has appeared in a total of eight NBA games, all with the New Orleans Pelicans last season. He was acquired by the Suns in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, in exchange for forward David Roddy.

Little, 24, is 6-5 and was acquired by Phoenix from the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team trade (with the Milwaukee Bucks) last summer. Little appeared in 45 games last season, averaging 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds.

Basically, Phoenix is doing a lot of roster shuffling to try to make things work around Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker. It didn’t go so well last season. Part of that was injuries. Part was the fact the Suns didn’t have a true point guard.

They hope to have solved the latter by signing Tyus Jones. Now, they have a spot open to perhaps try to sign someone else or call up a player from the G League.

They also hired their second new coach in two seasons in Mike Budenholzer. He replaces Frank Vogel, who always seems to get the short end of the stick. It was Vogel, after all, who took the fall for a faulty roster with three stars who couldn’t stay on the court together because of injuries.

Anyway, Little and Liddell are now seeking new places to play and the Suns likely believe they themselves are in a better place.

“The Suns had 16 players on their standard roster. Now they have 14, one under the standard 15-man roster NBA teams must have right before the start of the regular season,” wrote Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.

“The Suns plan to stretch out the $22 million remaining on Little’s deal over three years, The Republic confirmed through sources.”