Josh Okogie’s Renewed Deal Puts Suns’ Payroll Tax Over $400 Million

With two viciously high salaries in Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Phoenix Suns’ critics have them questioning: “How does Phoenix make money work?” Thursday’s contract renewal of Josh Okogie pushed the Suns way over the second luxury tax apron. The move was understandable as Phoenix is desperate for defense since they already possess an abundance of offensive scoring.

Phoenix owes its roster over $223 million this season while the luxury tax is double that amount.

The Suns went 49-33 last season with a roster getting up in age – Durant will be 36 in September, Beal is 31 while Devin Booker will be 28 this October. Phoenix was swept in the first round by the Timberwolves, signaling to ownership that they need to improve to compete in the Western Conference.

Owner Mat Ishbia took the playoff exit to heart as he signed the core three to a combined $150.6 million. However, problems arose when the second apron cut the organization off from traditional ways of roster polishing.

For example, the Suns can’t trade for more money than they ship out. The second apron doesn’t restrict teams from signing their free agents, resulting in the Suns taking advantage to retain role players. Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and Okogie will cost Phoenix almost $33 million. The Suns had no choice but to resign these players since in the case these three players left in free agency, Phoenix wouldn’t have the means to replace these players as the second apron restricts them from making signings.