The Suns have officially signed three of their four 2018 draft picks, according to RealGM’s transactions log. First-round selections Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges have inked their rookie deals with Phoenix, while second-rounder George King has finalized a two-way contract.
Ayton, the first overall pick in the draft, projects to be the Suns’ center of the future, with the team never wavering on using the No. 1 pick to select him over Marvin Bagley III, Luka Doncic, and other top prospects in the 2018 class. As our list of rookie scale salaries shows, Ayton will be in line for a first-year salary of $8MM+ and will earn more than $40MM over the course of his four-year rookie contract.
Bridges, meanwhile, was acquired in a draft-night trade with the Sixers. Phoenix gave up Miami’s unprotected 2021 first-round pick to move up from No. 16 to No. 10 to secure Bridges, an indication of how much they like him. The former Villanova forward will receive a $3.55MM first-year salary and a four-year contract worth $17.63MM in total.
While Bridges’ and Ayton’s first NBA contracts were locked in from the moment they were drafted, that wasn’t the case for King, the 59th overall pick, since there’s no set rookie scale for second-round selections. The former Colorado forward will slot into one of the Suns’ two-way contract openings during his rookie year.
The only unsigned Phoenix draftee now is Elie Okobo, the 31st overall pick. However, the two sides reportedly reached an agreement on a four-year deal shortly after the draft, so it should become official soon after the moratorium ends.
Okobo signed already on 6/23
Ah, good catch, thanks. It’s not official yet, but you’re right that the deal is done. That one totally slipped my mind amidst all the news since then.
I think Phoenix will be the most improved team in the NBA next season.
I hope Suns don’t buy into the Ball family show, enough point guard drama. Perhaps Knoght and OKOBO are good enough for now, if upgrades are there later then wait but to dump TJ and sell low is not affordable unless it is for a solid option like D’Angelo Russel
Way out there idea but why don’t the Suns try to trade for Irving? A package of Jackson/Bridges, picks and Chandler for cap purposes is competitive and honestly could see the celtics shopping him later in the season when it becomes clear he is leaving. The Suns have the cap room next season to max Jimmy Butler and Irving and a lineup of Irving, Booker, Butler, Warren, Ayton could be a contender. Plus you could develop Jackson/Bridges as a 6th man and have Reed, Okobo, Chriss, and Bender for depth. They would be ready take over when the Warriors and rockets drop off.
PHX was not giving up so much for Irving before, with CLE.
Butler doesn’t fit your timeline and Warren is more of a 6th man than PF. That’s Jackson’s spot!
So you saying no to a very good PG like Ball, that has had an amazing rookie season, because you want a solid option, which you mention Russell… you just lost me man. I know which one I would want, & plays for the Lakers. Also I don’t see Russell fitting with Booker, as he isn’t a good passer, just another shoot first PG, Ball fits a lot better as he passes first, also plays D very well, another thing that Russell can’t/won’t do, so again I am very confused by your logic.