Mason Plumlee leaves the LA Clippers to sign with the Phoenix Suns for an undisclosed figure on a one-year deal.
Mason Plumlee is out of the LA Clippers, as Adrian Wojnarowski announced that the center signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns. Woj didn’t disclose the details about the salary but added that the Suns are looking to add to their frontcourt depth with this signing.
Plumlee has proven to be a useful rotation piece in the Western Conference. While his performances with the Clippers were criticized, he did play his role well and provided size and depth to the roster alongside Ivica Zubac. But the Clippers didn’t prioritize bringing him back, and Plumlee chose to join the Suns, who are also in the hunt for a championship.
The Suns will be severely hamstrung in their pursuit of free agents, as they do not have a lot of cap space to operate. Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker make over $130 million this season, which leaves very little money for the Suns to construct a roster around them.
It is estimated that in 2025-26, the Suns will spend close to $525 million in player salaries. They must make a deep run in the playoffs in the next few years and compete for an NBA championship to justify the money they are spending. Suns GM James Jones will have to be very smart with the signings he makes to bolster the squad this year.
The Suns are going to build a team around their big three this year but will have to rely on players who will be willing to take major pay cuts, or players betting on themselves and taking the minimum to earn a future payday.
Suns Committed To Kevin Durant And Big Three
Suns owner Matt Ishbia spoke on the night of the 2024 NBA Draft amidst rumors that Kevin Durant could be traded by the Suns. He dismissed these rumors, claiming that the Suns are aiming to win an NBA championship, and they plan on doing so while keeping Kevin Durant on their roster.
“NBA Draft night is the best. Everyone talks about the drama and storylines, some are right and some are just wrong. My turn. Phoenix loves Kevin Durant and Kevin Durant loves Phoenix, and we are competing for a championship this year because we have the team to do it. Gotta love draft night! Go Suns.”
Kevin Durant’s move to the Suns has not worked out the way either side would have hoped. The Suns traded Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, and four first-round picks to the Nets to land Durant. And since then, the franchise hasn’t made it out of the second round of the playoffs, only winning one playoff series.
The Suns desperately need their big three to work out, as they mortgaged their future to land Durant and keep Bradley Beal. With them having no control over their future, a championship is needed to justify their decision to hedge their bets with a big three of Durant, Beal, and Booker.