Bookmark it. Refresh often. The next phase of the Suns’ rebuild begins now.
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, 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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