With the rumblings over the last two years, it has been clear that NBA expansion has been a highly discussed topic, especially with the latest update from Shams Charania this week.
This has led many fanbases to discuss who they would keep from their respective teams. That is why in this article, we are going to explore who I would keep if I were in Brian Gregory’s shoes. Before we dive into that, though, we have to go over the rules for this expansion draft.
We have not seen one since the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) joined in 2004. The rules we’re using are from that time so that they may change before this expansion draft. As of now, these are the parameters we know and will follow for this exercise. Those rules are
- Every NBA team can protect up to eight players
- Each expansion team can then select one unprotected player from each franchise to fill their roster
- You can only lose one player from your team via the draft.
- If you lose a player you do not get compensation for losing them, but you get a trade excpetion to the value of his salary
Given the expansion is most likely two franchises, it would make sense that each team would lose one player from its squad. This would then allow both teams to fill their rosters with 15 players, while each team loses at most one player.
This would then make it interesting for both expansion teams to see how they would build their team. Would some go young and for potential, or would some go to be competitive first season and build a foundation?
That would all matter on who would be available, and for the Suns, that becomes a difficult situation.
Let’s review the roster and provide our best analysis. Here is the depth chart and how they are paid for the foreseeable future.
As we can see from earlier in the article, this expansion draft would not take place until 2028-2029. Given that most of these players will be free agents or potentially on new teams, it’s not practical to evaluate the salary cap on that timeline.
Therefore, for the sake of this exercise, we will analyze this as if the expansion draft were happening next year! So, with that being said, let’s get into it.
Who would the Suns protect?
Guaranteed Locks
- Devin Booker
- Collin Gillespie
- Dillon Brooks
- Khaman Maluach
- Rasheer Fleming
These five make sense for this team to keep, and they should prioritize them for the team’s future. Booker is the star and has remained confident in this team building around him as they push for a championship. He has not backed away from this team, so you do not back away from him.
Collin Gillespie has impressed with his play this year, proving to be the high-energy guard this team needs on the roster. Even with his recent slump, he has been way better than advertised in his short time in Phoenix, proving that hard work and effort overcome every obstacle if you put in the time.
Dillon Brooks has been the defensive x-factor, helping this team buy into its new identity and culture. One of the leaders and veterans on this team, his value is more than what he brings on the court every night as well.
Lastly, the two rookies, who definitely deserve the flowers and praise, too, with injuries coming in waves for the Suns, have been tasked with stepping up in roles and have exceeded in those instances. For Felming, he has shown he can be that 3&D wing this team has missed since trading away Mikal Bridges, and with Maluach, he continues to show strides in his development, too. Both continue to show that, over time, they will be valuable contributors to this new direction the Suns are taking.
Highly Considerable
6. Jalen Green
7. Grayson Allen
8. Oso Ighodaro
9. Ryan Dunn
10. Royce O’Neale
11. Jordan Goodwin
12. Mark Williams
If you told me a year ago the Suns would have this many players to choose from who would actually help, I’d laugh, but here we are. Crazy how one year can switch your opinion and direction on a topic, and the Suns did that with most of the NBA fans out there. That being said, there are positives to keeping each player, but one little hiccup that could keep you from deciding to.
Jalen Green may be the most surprising to be this low, since he is the second-highest player. That being said, though there have been some highs and lows with Green in this lineup to start, and even though it’s just the start of his tenure here, it is something you cannot ignore. The problems that have kept us efficient have carried over to Phoenix this year. Some could say you might want to lose that contract and be rewarded with a trade exception, but then the Suns would have to find someone willing to take on their trade exception for free. Therefore, I’d rather keep Green and see what he can be and what value he can bring, rather than bank on a trade exception to get that value.
Grayson Allen is an interesting one as well since he has provided so much for this team on both ends of the ball. I recommend keeping him in this direction for the team, and because of his contract as well. It is a very tradable one at around 16-18 million a year, allowing the Suns to use that if necessary. I’d rather keep a guy who fits and maybe use him as a trade piece down the line if guys don’t pan out, than give him up for nothing just because he is a veteran.
A similar thing could be said as well for Royce O’Neale, who has been another great veteran for this team. Personally, I thought this team would move off these veterans to play the younger guys, but they continue to prove that they still be effective in big roles. Therefore, my tune has changed on O’Neale and Allen, embracing the three-point shooting and hustle they bring every night. The only difference is that Royce is two years older than Grayson, and the Suns have some young wings they may rather prioritize. Therefore, he falls lower on the list but could still be seen as a valuable piece for this squad.
The sophomores Oso Ighodaro and Ryan Dunn are also in this category and deserve it so. Both have shown that they were solid in their rookie year and have had flashes in their second year. The only thing holding them back is that they do not seem to be as consistent as many would like. With Ighodaro, he has been great as a backup and filling in for Mark Williams with injury as of late. That said, he hasn’t done anything that screams he can be the starter for the foreseeable future or on a championship team. I think he is more suited as a top-tier backup, which is not bad but ultimately makes him a bit expendable depending on the Suns’ vision.
The same can be said for Ryan Dunn, who, in this wing room, has seen his opportunities shrink. With the omission of Haywood Highsmith and Amir Coffey, he has now lost his spot in the rotation and is looking at a way back in. That said, he is still 20 and has shown promise on defense and as a pest. I do not think the Suns would want to give up on a piece so young with such great intangibles that you cannot teach. Therefore, the debate on which wing would come into play depends on what you value, experience, or youth.
Mark Williams is another interesting story, as he has had both great highs and lows during his short tenure. With a player like him, he finds himself in this tier for the right reasons. If the big man search does not work with Mlauch or Ighodaro, then keeping him makes sense, but if one of them soars through the roof, a true discussion does come into play. His ability to stay healthy this season, though, has been a big x-factor in his success.
Last in this tier is Jordan Goodwin, who has been fantastic in his return to the Valley. His scrappiness has been embraced as a key factor in the defense. Added to his ability to shoot threes now, especially in this offense, which is heavily focused on it, makes him shine. That being said, he is a great player, but a true role player. Once the suns would be in some trouble without, but once they could find it on the market if they looked hard enough, I think he would be worth it, but only if the sun’s feel his presence cannot be replicated.
Long Shots to Keep
12. Jamaree Bouyea
13. Amir Coffey
14. Haywood Highsmith
Even though everyone on this roster could make sense to keep, there are some outliers. Unfortunately, that is where I think these players fall.
For Bouyea, it is simply the fact that he was the last one added to this roster. The former two-way player has shown he deserves an NBA contract, but a player to be kept is a different story. In a half-season in the NBA, I do not think he has shown enough, but look at the former two-way player who is kept above, Collin Gillespie. Anything is possible, and if Bouyea had another stellar season, he could be in that convo.
Similar to Bouyea, Coffey, and Highsmith find themselves here for the same reasons. Since they were the most recent additions, it would not make much sense for the Suns to keep them. Their roles could also be replaced if the Suns struck at the right time. Coffey was viewed outside the Bucks’ rotation before he got here; now he has a role.
With Highsmith, it is a bit different, since he was injured to start the year, but he still brings the hustle and effort this team appreciates. Similar to Bouyea, if he were to see another full year here (which he is signed for) and remain healthy the whole time, he could move up as well.
No player on this list deserves to be cut, and that’s a credit to the front office. They found an opportunity to get 15 players on this team who all play hard, work on both ends, and never give up. Something you could not say about past teams that would have fans rip their hair out is not happening with this team, which is just a pleasure to see.
With all that being known, here is my eight I’d keep:
- Devin Booker
- Collin Gillespie
- Dillon Brooks
- Rasheer Fleming
- Khaman Maluach
- Jalen Green
- Grayson Allen
- Oso Ighodaro
Who would you keep if you could? Let us know down below.
