Report: Suns Jae Crowder, Dario Saric Potential Trade Candidates
When it comes to the payroll of the Phoenix Suns, some might consider it a luxury.
After the re-signing of center Deandre Ayton, the Suns are set to dive into the NBA's luxury tax for just the fifth time in franchise history (the tax bill will be counted at the end of next season, so nothing is official quite yet).
With 14 players under contract, the Suns' starting five alone tally up roughly $124.3 million in salary for the 2022-23 season.
In a league where the Golden State Warriors can claim themselves as reigning champions (with the league's highest ever luxury tax at $170 million), piecing together a lineup of star players capable of winning has proven to come with a cost.
However, given the success Phoenix has seen in recent years, it was almost a requirement for the Suns to ensure their best players stuck around for good.
Cam Johnson Eligible for Extension
The financial decisions for the team isn't quite over, though. Forward Cam Johnson became eligible for a contract extension that could potentially net him around $15 million annually.
In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer, he broke down potential candidates to receive a second contract this offseason after the San Antonio Spurs inked their 2019 first-round pick Keldon Johnson to a four-year, $80 million extension.
"The completed extension in San Antonio could impact Cameron Johnson's conversations with the Phoenix Suns as well. Deals for Davis Bertans, Duncan Robinson and Joe Harris would also represent friendly contract comparisons for Johnson's next deal. Furthermore, there's an argument to be made that Phoenix's standout wing is more than just a shooter and can bring off-the-dribble playmaking and additional defensive chops at a legitimate 6'8"," said Fischer.
Johnson's pending rise in salary makes players such as Jae Crowder and Dario Saric expendable, according to Fischer's sources.
Jae Crowder, Dario Saric Trade Candidates
"With that, the next deal Johnson commands could surpass $15 million in average annual value, presenting a further crunch on the Suns' salary cap after Phoenix matched Deandre Ayton's four-year, $133 million offer sheet from Indiana. The Suns' accounting has gotten quite expensive, and league personnel still categorize Jae Crowder and Dario Saric as trade candidates entering this season to clear necessary wiggle room on Phoenix's books," said Fischer.
Both Crowder and Saric enter the final year of their respective contracts in Phoenix. Saric, who will be 29-years-old, commands a $9.24 million price tag while Crowder (who just turned 32) comes with a $10.183 million salary next season.
Johnson just turned 26-years-old and still has years of his prime left to offer. In his 16 starts during the 2021-22 season, most of those came in place of Crowder at power forward. Phoenix carried a 9-7 record in those games, though that isn't indicative of Johnson's abilities.
He averaged 16.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in those starts while shooting 49.2% from the floor, including 42% from three-point land. An extension for Johnson wouldn't kick in until the 2023-24 season.
Earlier in June, Fischer also reported the Suns were shopping Crowder. It appears not much has changed on that front.
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