Prospective buyout targets that the Phoenix Suns might consider

In exchange for Royce O’Neale and David Roddy, the Phoenix Suns sent out four players, leaving them with two free roster places.

Given that the NBA trade deadline has passed, they will now need to fill the final two positions with bought-out players. The four players that the Suns traded were Yuta Watanabe and Chimezie Metu (Memphis), and Keita Bates-Diop and Jordan Goodwin (Brooklyn).

The one thing to keep in mind for the Suns is that the non-taxpayer mid-level exception for this season prohibits them from signing a player who is valued at more than $12.4 million. There are strict limitations on what Phoenix can and cannot do because they are operating inside the second luxury tax apron, and this is one of them.

Having said that, the Suns are unable to sign players such as Spencer Dinwiddie, who was dealt from the Nets today and later bought out by the Raptors. Dinwiddie has a $54 million, three-year contract.

Even though they probably won’t make the rotation, the two players the Suns will sign could still be solid fits. Although PJ Tucker was thought to be a strong match in Phoenix, it now seems likely that he will remain with the Clippers.

The Suns might realistically target the following players for those places right now (this list will be updated as additional players are bought out; these players haven’t all been bought out yet):

Danuel House Jr.
After being dealt by the 76ers to the Pistons today, Detroit released Danuel House Jr. House is reportedly being considered by a number of parties, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

The 30-year-old, 6-foot-6, played for the Suns during his inaugural NBA season in 2017–18. He played with the Rockets for three and a half years following this season, and then for the Jazz for the final half of 2021–2022.

House decided to stay with the 76ers this offseason by exercising his $4.3 million player option. In 34 games this season with Philadelphia, he played 15 minutes a night on average and scored 4.2 points a game.

Over the course of 294 regular season games, House has averaged 3.0 rebounds and 7.3 points on 43% shooting during his career. Although he probably wouldn’t crack the rotation, he would provide the Suns with a strong defensive skill set.

Young Thaddeus
Thaddeus Young, who has been linked to the Suns for years, is supposedly being released by the Nets following his trade from the Raptors today. Young is in the second year of a $16 million, two-year contract.

Currently a 35-year-old 6-foot-8 player, this is his 16th NBA season. Despite not averaging double digit points in 12 straight seasons since the 2020–21 campaign, he is still a valuable supporting actor.

In 23 games this season for Toronto, Young averaged 5.0 points and 3.3 rebounds.

In 1,162 regular season games over his career, 726 of which he started, Young averaged 12.2 points on 50% shooting and 5.7 rebounds.

Young, who is not a 3-point shooter, would provide the Suns with some long defense and experience.

Jack Otto Porter Jr.
The Utah Jazz acquired Otto Porter Jr. in exchange for Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji. Although Porter Jr. hasn’t been acquired yet, it very well might be. Over the last two seasons, the 30-year-old, who stands 6-foot-8, has only appeared in 23 games overall. But he might be the perfect replacement for what Phoenix isn’t getting rid of. Keita Bates-Diop

In his tenth season in the NBA, Porter Jr. has a lifetime 3-point percentage of 40%. He made a significant contribution to the Warriors’ NBA Finals victory in 2021. Throughout his career, Porter Jr. has averaged 10.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game in 527 regular season games.

Porter Jr. is in the second year of a $12.3, two-year contract.

Oladipo Victor
The Grizzlies allegedly waived Victor Oladipo today. Due to a left patellar tendon repair that he sustained during the Heat’s playoff run the previous season, Oladipo has been incredibly prone to injuries and has not played in any games this season.

Oladipo averaged 10.7 points, 3.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 42 games with the Heat the previous season. That was the first season since the 2017–18 season that he has played in 40 or more games due to some serious knee problems.

Oladipo averaged a career-high 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and a league-best 2.4 steals during the 2017–18 campaign. He was named All-NBA Third Team, first team All-Defense, and the league’s Most Improved Player.

In his nine NBA seasons, the two-time All-Star has never finished below 10 points per game on average. However, he is out indefinitely, so it is difficult to assess how well he would fit in with the Suns or even if he could play.

Oladipo’s contract is expiring, and he will earn $9.45 million this season, so signing him makes financial sense for the Suns.

Hayes, Killian
After the Pistons released Killian Hayes today, he is perhaps the youngest option available on the buyout market. After his camp requested a change of scenery a few days ago, the 2020 No. 7 overall pick has not impressed in his four seasons in Detroit, and it appears that the Pistons were unable to locate a trade partner for him.

The 22-year-old played in 42 games this season, starting 31 of them, and finishing with an average of 6.9 points and 4.9 assists in 24 minutes a contest.

Hayes would be a project but might be the Suns’ defensive-minded backup point guard. In 210 games over the course of his four-year career, he has averaged 8.1 points, 5.2 assists, and 1.2 steals. But throughout his career, Hayes has only shot 38.2% from the field and 27.7% from 3-point range.

Hayes is now in the final year of a four-year, $24 million rookie contract.