Free agent guard Darren Collison didn’t play in the NBA at all last season and has appeared in just three games since 2019, but he hasn’t given up on earning a spot on an opening-night roster this fall. According to Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report (Twitter link), Collison worked out last week for the Suns and had a “great showing.”
The Suns, who entered free agency with eight players under contract, have reached deals with seven free agents, so they project to have a full 15-man roster. However, Haynes says the club continues to be “aggressive” in seeking role players.
One way Phoenix could open up a roster spot is by waiving or trading Isaiah Todd, whose inclusion in the Bradley Beal trade seemed to be more about Washington moving off his guaranteed 2023/24 salary than the Suns specifically targeting him. Still, any form of salary dump will be costly for a Suns team that projects to be well over the tax line and doesn’t have any future draft picks left to trade.
Here are a few more notes related to free agency:
- The Warriors withdrew their qualifying offer to Ty Jerome, while the Nuggets did the same with Jack White, per RealGM’s transactions log. Reports on Saturday indicated that Jerome had reached a contract agreement with the Cavaliers and that White is poised to sign with the Thunder. With those qualifying offers no longer on the table, the two players are no longer restricted free agents, clearing the path for them to freely join their new teams as unrestricted FAs.
- Once coveted for its power to attract a top free agent, maximum-salary cap room no longer has the cachet it once did, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic, who notes that the Rockets were the only team this summer to use a significant chunk of cap space to sign a marquee free agent (Fred VanVleet) to a huge, multiyear deal. Most other teams with room have used it for trades, renegotiations, or smaller (and/or shorter-term) signings. As Hollinger observes, the new contract extension rules in the 2017 CBA have resulted in fewer stars reaching the open market, with 2019 standing out as the last big summer of free agent movement.
- Warriors guards Chris Paul and Stephen Curry are 38 and 35 years old, respectively, and have each dealt with injuries over the years. The addition of Cory Joseph, who agreed to a one-year deal with Golden State on Sunday, will help ensure that those veteran stars get the rest they need during the regular season, according to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area, who takes a closer look at what Joseph will bring to the team.
GSW is truly the old man and the 3 now.
3 old PG’s in Curry, Paul, and Joseph.
Nothing wrong with that. They’ll be a much improved team after getting rid of Poole.
The main problem is getting CP3 healthy, so he can play in the playoffs…
Playing only 20-25 minutes a game should help. Less wear on those ancient bones xD
Fans have to hope the young guys step up and play, though. Kuminga and Moody on the wings are going to be crucial this season,. The good news if you’re a GSW fan is that Curry’s injuries seem to be mostly different and not compounded by each other.
Exactly. 4 players. Can Kuminga and Moody finally play at high level? Can Wiggins and GP2 play like 2 yrs ago? Without these 4 players playing well, Warriors will be pretenders.
Who is going to replace his scoring ? Joseph? Paul ? You ?
They’ll probably spread out his touches amongst multiple players. Which should work just fine, as his efficiency wasn’t great.
Who is going to replace his scoring? Certainly Chris Paul will average 12 points a game and Joseph will average 8 points a game. Replacing Poole’s 20 points a game will be no problem at all. The gain is in the locker room and in the turnover reduction and the overall vibe and cohesiveness of the unit.
GS is trending downwards, nothing they did this off season changes my opinion.
Ditto
Down but not out. Never underestimate the heart of a champion. I believe they can make the playoffs this season and after that it’s anyone’s guess. Usually the team that stays the healthiest ends up on top.
I dont understand few of the fans’ obsession to hate Poole. Yes, he had a terrible yr last year. Yes, he was overpaid by the team. However, the fact is Poole was instrumental in helping the team win a title 2 yrs ago. There is no denying in that. Additionally, he was one of the best feel good success story in awhile. Late first rounder, G League, overcame adversity to make a name for himself, win a title, and earn a generational wealth. BTW, he was paid only $10M for the last 4 yrs. Yes, he had to go for various reasons. I was pissed because it seemed like he gave up on the team in the postseason. But let’s not forget he was one of our own. We all watched him grow and it was sad that it didnt work out. Let’s show him some appreciation and best luck wishes, and not obsession to hate.
He did not fit in. He did not like sacrificing himself or his game for the good of the team. That was the problem. He was a lone wolf in the pack.
And also, he didn’t play well alongside Steph. Without Steph on the floor, he averaged like 25 ppg. With Steph, his percentages fell crazily and he averaged like 18. For that contract, it wasn’t possible to keep that kind of roster issue.