We’re still catching our breath from the whirlwind that was the 2025 NBA Draft. In the wake of the Kevin Durant trade, the Phoenix Suns are in the midst of reimagining their identity, reshaping their roster, and redefining their future.
New general manager Brian Gregory made that vision clear on draft night, wheeling and dealing with purpose. He laid a foundation. But as he noted in his introductory press conference, the blueprint for building a team doesn’t stop at the draft. It continues through free agency and the trade market.
Now that the picks have been made and the future has taken shape on paper, it’s time to turn the page, from potential to pursuit. Free agency is upon us.
As we do every year, this will be a living, breathing thread, constantly updated with news, signings, trades, and developments as they happen. While we’ll continue providing in-depth breakdowns on each Suns acquisition, this thread is your first-stop shop for every update as it drops.
Bookmark it. Refresh often. The next phase of the Suns’ rebuild begins now.
Monday, 6:24pm: Former Suns on the move
It doesn’t look like the Phoenix Suns are going to do much else, and honestly, I don’t think they really can. But it has been interesting to see where some of our former players are landing.
Tyus Jones is headed to the Orlando Magic on a one-year, $7 million deal. He might be the only guy who came to Phoenix on a prove-it deal and actually cashed in afterward.
Free agent guard Tyus Jones has agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal with the Orlando Magic, sources tell ESPN. Magic officials negotiated the deal with Jones’ agent Kevin Bradbury of LIFT Sports Management, which gives Jones a key role for the East contenders. pic.twitter.com/oR6gTHDyPK
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
And then there’s the oddly romantic connection between the Suns and the Hornets.
Mason Plumlee is now joining Charlotte. It would’ve been hilarious if they had kept Jusuf Nurkic. Then they’d have Nurkic and Plumlee, while we’d have Jalen Duren and Mark Williams. A full-on frontcourt partner swap. It’s like someone left a pineapple on the door…
Free agent center Mason Plumlee has agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN. The Hornets get some frontcourt depth, completing a contract with Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports for Plumlee’s 13th NBA season. pic.twitter.com/K2Pub1kR2x
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
Monday, 5:35pm: Suns sign Nigel Hayes-Davis
The Suns have added Nigel Hayes-Davis to the roster, marking his return to the NBA for the first time since the 2017–18 season. The 30-year-old 6’7” wing most recently played for Fenerbahçe in the EuroLeague. Yep, this is where we’re at. Final roster spot. A solid veteran presence with size and experience.
Fenerbahce’s Nigel Hayes-Davis – the 2025 Euroleague champion and finals MVP as well as Turkish Cup champion and MVP – has agreed to a fully guaranteed one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. The two-time Euroleague first-teamer returns to the States and NBA. pic.twitter.com/4f75izENgM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
Monday, 4:40pm: CP3 reaped by Gambo
When Arizona Sports insider John Gambadoro says something probably isn’t going to happen, you listen. His track record covering the Suns is nearly flawless. He’s earned the nickname “The Reaper” for a reason.
Today, he noted that with the Suns bringing back Collin Gillespie, a Chris Paul return is likely off the table. Instead, Phoenix may be shifting its focus to adding a wing. So at this point, I’d be genuinely surprised if Paul ends up back in the Valley. A reunion with the Clippers seems far more likely.
After the signing of Collin Gillespie, I doubt the Phoenix Suns would want Chris Paul too. I would expect the signing of a long athletic wing more likely. https://t.co/0I1vhYpk36
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) June 30, 2025
Monday, 4:07pm: A BIG trade…no…not for the Suns
Yes, it’s been a slow start to free agency, but that’s not all that surprising. The trade between the Rockets and Suns won’t become official until July 6, and that delay could be holding Phoenix back from making additional moves as they sort out what to do with Jalen Green and Bradley Beal.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about former Suns. Remember Cam Johnson? Of course you do. We loved him. And now, he’s been traded for Michael Porter Jr. and is headed to the Denver Nuggets. Denver had to attach an unprotected first-round pick just to get off the Porter contract, but that’s the price of doing business.
So Cam, once a beloved Valley Boy, will now suit up for the Nuggets. Hurts a little, doesn’t it?
BREAKING: The Denver Nuggets are trading Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cam Johnson, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/o6rdWhu3Rl
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
Monday, 3:20pm: I miss tampering
20 minutes gone. A couple of resignings with Memphis. Nothing yet for Phoenix. I miss the good ‘ole days.
Monday, 10:06am: Cody Martin will be a free agent
The Suns have decided not to retain Cody Martin, declining his $8.7 million team option for next season. The move provides the team with some financial relief, though they still remain under the weight of the second apron’s restrictions.
The Phoenix Suns will not be retaining Cody Martin. His contract was non-guaranteed until today. He will be a free agent.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) June 30, 2025
Monday, 9:29am: Welcome back, Collin Gillespie
Collin Gillespie cut his teeth on a two-way contract last season. After receiving a qualifying offer from the Suns, he’s now agreed to return on a guaranteed one-year deal. Given Phoenix’s limited financial flexibility, it’s safe to assume this is a veteran minimum contract.
Guard Collin Gillespie intends to sign a guaranteed one-year contract to return to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. Suns officials and agents James Dunleavy and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports worked toward the deal that rewards Gillespie after a strong season on a two-way. pic.twitter.com/vdDs0S0Pay
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
As things stand, assuming all rookies are signed to guaranteed deals, the Suns’ roster sits at 14 players with one spot to fill. Cody Martin’s contract hasn’t been guaranteed as of yet, and the Suns have until today to do so.
Monday, 8:34am: Nick Richards garnering interest
Nick Richards has now become duplicative, although not completely redundant, for the Phoenix Suns. They traded for oft-injured center Mark Williams. They drafted Khaman Maluach. So it seems that Richards is the odd man out. But at $5 million a year, he’s on a good deal.
Per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, teams are asking about him, however.
Richards has drawn trade interest from several teams, including the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told HoopsHype.
We’ll see what the Suns do…
Sunday, 12:05pm: A Chris Paul reunion isn’t out of the question
I’m pushing a cart through Fry’s, and my phone starts vibrating like it’s trying to crawl out of my pocket. I fish it out between the canned beans and the cold cuts, and there it is: a whisper wrapped in a tweet wrapped in a league source.
The Phoenix Suns, apparently, are flirting with a second engagement. With none other than Christopher Emmanuel Paul.
A possible CP3/PHC reunion. Per the Stein Line (https://t.co/YTmewLUGRr), it could happen.
“The Los Angeles Clippers, in addition to Phoenix, are another of Paul’s former teams that is said to be weighing a second engagement with the 12-time NBA All-Star, who turned 40 in May.… pic.twitter.com/jNDS1TasR0
— Bright Side of the Sun (@BrightSideSun) June 29, 2025
Yes, that Chris Paul. He’s no longer the Point God, but maybe the Point Sage, still capable of bending a game to his will for a stretch if the cosmos align.
And honestly? I’d love it. You’d love it. Because in a backcourt drowning in uncertainty and deferred responsibilities, CP3 is still the guy who brings order to chaos. A conductor in a symphony of isolation dribblers.
Of course, if he does return to Phoenix, we’ll have a front-row seat to the greatest cage match since Thunderdome: Chris Paul vs. Bradley Beal. One ball. Two high-paid veterans. Who walks away the alpha? Who makes the sacrifice play? Who blinks first? Who wears number 3?
Sunday, 11:08am: Suns are guaranteeing Nick Richards
Ricards is set to make $5 million next season, though his contract remains non-guaranteed. Phoenix had until today to decide whether to lock in that money or let it go. Their decision? It appears they’re keeping him…for now.
Whether he stays in the Valley long term is another story. His contract could be a useful piece in a trade, giving the Suns flexibility if something materializes. But if no deal comes, Richards is a cost-effective backup big, one who bolsters their frontcourt depth without breaking the bank.
As expected, the Suns are holding onto Nick Richards, league sources tell The Athletic. Richards’ $5 million salary is expected to guarantee today for the 2025-26 season.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) June 29, 2025
Sunday, 7:28am: Collin Gillespie gets a qualifying offer
Rumor has it Collin Gillespie will play a significant role in the Suns’ point guard plans next season. Just how significant remains to be seen; it’ll depend on how Phoenix navigates free agency. Still, extending him a two-way qualifying offer was expected.
Now we wait to see if he accepts it or tests the market.
This could be a moment for opposing teams to pounce, driving up his price not necessarily because they want him, but to pressure the Suns’ cap sheet. It could force Phoenix into a tough call: how much do they actually value Gillespie, and at what cost does that value tip out of balance?
The Phoenix Suns have picked up their $8.1M team 2025-26 team option for Vasilije Micic. This was necessary to complete the Mark Williams trade.
The Suns also tendered a two-way qualifying offer to Collin Gillespie. Gillespie will now be a restricted free agent on July 1.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 29, 2025
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