Bleacher Report Picks Suns Best, Worst Contracts
In this story:
The Phoenix Suns are about to head into the luxury tax for the first time in over a decade thanks to their monstrous payroll.
At least four players earn $20 million annually or more: Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton.
Each team has "good" and "bad" contracts, as nobody has quite perfected the puzzle of piecing together the perfect salary cap.
However, there are some deals that are eye-popping on both sides of the coin.
Here's what Bleacher Report said on Phoenix's best and worst contracts this season:
Best Value Contract: Mikal Bridges (four years, $90 million)
"Mikal Bridges isn't just a three-and-D player. He might be the prototype right now," said B/R.
"He just made his first All-Defense team, and he's hit 38.5 percent from three over the last three seasons.
"Over the same stretch, the Phoenix Suns are plus-7.4 points per 100 possessions with Bridges on the floor and plus-0.4 with him off.
"Having someone who you can rely on to bother the opposition's best wing or guard is a big deal. Having a high-end floor spacer is another. Having both in one player can lead to the kind of dominant regular seasons the Suns have had recently."
Worst Value Contract: Deandre Ayton (four years, $132.9 million)
"Deandre Ayton is another player who certainly isn't here because he's bad. The No. 1 pick in 2018 could certainly live up to this contract," said B/R.
"It's just that this kind of money for centers that aren't Jokic or Embiid is inherently risky.
"Elite creators like Chris Paul can raise the level of most bigs. Last season, the numbers of Ayton, JaVale McGee and Bismack Biyombo were strikingly similar when each shared the floor with CP3.
"So, if Phoenix can get a decent chunk of what Ayton provides for a fraction of the cost, why max him out?
"His upside is certainly higher than that of the other centers on Phoenix's roster, but there's no guarantee he hits it."
Thank you for making Inside The Suns your destination for Phoenix Suns news. Please be sure to give us a like on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and follow us on Twitter @InsideTheSunsSI for news, updates, analysis and more!
Top Phoenix Suns News
Here's Why the Phoenix Suns Didn't Land Bojan
Chris Paul Reacts to Roger Federer's Retirement
Suns Announce Signing of Two Players
Jae Crowder Deletes Cryptic Tweet
Bill Simmons: Suns are Top NBA Franchise, Will Sell for Nearly $5 Billion
Two Suns Fall in Bottom Half of ESPN Player Rankings
