The Phoenix Suns are not known as a franchise that will spend a lot of money to upgrade the roster. They have been trying to shake that label the last few NBA seasons as they have become contenders in the Western Conference. This offseason, that has already been put to the test and will continue to be.
Starting center Deandre Ayton agreed to a four-year, $133 million offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers as a restricted free agent. It was the biggest offer sheet ever signed and given how negotiations went since last offseason, there was a real question of whether the Suns would match or not.
Phoenix didn’t believe that Ayton was worth a max contract, but the Pacers had forced their hand. The Suns matched a few hours after the contract was agreed to, keeping the No. 1 overall pick from the 2018 NBA Draft in the desert.
However, they are far from done discussing extensions. Forward Cam Johnson is next up, as he is also eligible for one. His is the deal that could really push ownership over the edge, as the roster is about to get very expensive.
“With that, the next deal Johnson commands could surpass $15 million in average annual value, presenting a further crunch on the Suns’ salary cap after Phoenix matched Deandre Ayton’s four-year, $133 million offer sheet from Indiana.”
Given his age, as Johnson is already 26 years old, he could look to cash in on this extension. If he signs a four-year deal, he will next be hitting free agency at 30. Finding a lucrative long-term deal will be tougher at that point as it will run beyond his prime. For him to maximize his earnings, it will have to come on this contract as it will keep him locked in through what should be the best seasons of his career.
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Cam’s deal could easily surpass the four-year, $80 million deal that Keldon Johnson agreed to with the San Antonio Spurs. Teams will pay a premium for the kind of sharpshooting that Cam Johnson provides, but he does so much more than just spotting up around the 3-point line.
Because of his expanded skill set, he will likely be looking for more money than someone like Keldon Johnson, Duncan Robinson or Joe Harris signed for previously. The notoriously frugal Suns opened the checkbook for Ayton, will they do the same for Cam?
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