2024-25: Which Suns Players Are Likely to Pick Up Their Player Options?

2024-25: Which Suns Players Are Likely to Pick Up Their Player Options?

The Phoenix Suns are going to enter the 2024-25 season looking much the same as they do right now. Franchise cornerstone Devin Booker isn’t going anywhere, while trading Kevin Durant doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense either.

Nice as it would be for the organization to explore the trade market for Bradley Beal, there wouldn’t be a lot of interest in his services out there. On top of that, he also has a no-trade clause in his contract which makes moving the soon to be 31-year-old anyway.

That’s because Eric Gordon, Josh Okogie, Damion Lee and Drew Eubanks all have player options on their deals heading into 2024-25. In the case of all four it will be the final year of their current contracts, which is why they may walk away from The Valley a year early to try and negotiate a longer contract and more money elsewhere.

Of the four, Gordon is the only individual who will be making over $3 million anyway, but that is not the right way of approaching this if you’re the Suns. They are in salary cap hell and need to make smart decisions with what little money they do have left on roster personnel. Will all four of these guys be back to help next season then? Let’s try and find out.

Eric Gordon’s case is an interesting one, because on the surface it makes a ton of sense for him to come back to Phoenix next season. He’s playing for what owner Mat Ishbia considers a contender, and at 35-years-old he is approaching the end of his career.

There’s no guarantee if he walked away from the last year of his deal he’d get picked up elsewhere, so coming back would seem the obvious choice for him. And yet… Gordon could likely get perhaps even more money to play somewhere else for even one season. Franchises like the San Antonio Spurs and on the rise Orlando Magic have more money they could give a veteran for a year of his services.
If he is searching for longer-term security, he may be able to get a two or three-year deal somewhere. Additionally, Gordon’s 2023-24 season was not without controversy. Although he fell into a rhythm in The Valley, he was unhappy with his situation early last season and was loud about it.
The bad news for the Suns with Gordon is that they would have a difficult time finding someone else on the minimum who can do what he does. That is, come off the bench with a lot of experience, hit some open shots, and even guard some bigger guys for short stints. Keep an eye on this place, as Gordon may still be on the move.