January 25, 2022 The Phoenix Suns have signed general manager James Jones to a multiyear contract extension, he confirmed to The Undefeated. Landry Shamet is struggling. Thats where our joy comes from here, is that every day we get a chance to go out there and compete, and try to build the resiliency, the habits and the capacity to win a title. He went on to play for the Pacers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. During his time with the Pistons he revamped the teams roster, leading to a breakthrough season in 2015-16 when the Pistons went 44-38 (their first time finishing over .500 since 2007-08) and qualified for the 2016 NBA Playoffs (their first postseason appearance since 2009). He was a DNP-CD six times. [2] Jones's nicknames include "Champ", "J. His nickname is "Champ". Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MA/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. The Phoenix Suns have signed general manager James Jones to a multiyear contract extension, he confirmed to The Undefeated. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). newsletter, veto power over any trades that bring back a player making more than the league average of $10.9 million, reportedly brokered with Heat owner Micky Arison. Sign up for the It creates an awesome experience for everyone involved. When the ESPN report was published, Jones said in a statement: None of whats been said describes the Robert Sarver I know, respect and like it just doesnt.. Center of the Sun: The Rubio mentality, next-level Booker, and respect. We have been through so many different things with the CBA negotiations, so it was easy to talk to him about me wanting to be here. James should be really credited for the job he has done. The Phoenix Suns dropped from best odds to win the West to 3rd best, despite still being 2nd best to win the whole league. Facing the Golden State Warriors, the Cavaliers lost the series in six games. 8/26/21 Waived Ty-Shon Alexander (two-way). Suns-Nuggets preview, Pt.1: Can Deandre Ayton stifle Nikola Jokic again. With the surprising improvement in the bubble, Jones orchestrated another major trade in November 2020, this time trading Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, and a protected 2022 first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Abdel Nader and All-Star point guard Chris Paul. The query length is limited to 70 characters, Captain Jack Casino No Deposit Bonus Code, Basketball Insiders Senior Writer Eric Pincus, Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception $4,536,000 (JaVale McGee), Jeff Bower senior vice president of basketball operations, Trevor Bukstein assistant general manager, Bubba Burrage director of player personnel, Ryan Resch director of basketball strategy. [41] Jones played in 57 games, starting 2, for the Cavaliers during the 201415 season while averaging 4.4 points, 1.1 rebounds and 11.7 minutes a game. Suns vs. Nuggets Odds, Picks, & Predictions Game 1 NBA Playoffs Second Round, How to Watch Suns vs. Nuggets Game 1 | Free NBA Playoffs Live Stream, DeAaron Fox scored 20+ points in first six playoff games, tying Oscar Robertson for longest streak in Kings history, Warriors Draymond Green: Stephen Curry is the GOAT, How to Watch Grizzlies vs. Lakers Game 6 | Free NBA Playoffs Live Stream. By not basking in the spotlight now, he is sticking to his humble approach with the hopes of letting a potential championship do the talking for him. At the start of the 2019-20 season, Jones and Williams were the only African American general manager-head coach duo in the league. My responsibility is always motivating me to be better, Jones said in December 2019 to The Undefeated. When betting your capital is at risk. [2][18] The Trail Blazers finished the 200708 season with a 4141 record. Bower later dealt a package centered on Harris to acquire Blake Griffin, who this season led the Pistons back to the Playoffs as he returned to the NBA All-Star Game for the first time since 2015. Before the first day of the 2023-24 season Extension deadline for Jalen Smith. Eligibility restrictions apply. This bench truly carried them for a good chunk of the season as the starters were figuring things out. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, suspended outgoing team governor Robert Sarver still has some authority over what happens to the Suns while he is still the controlling partner. For a midseason salary-adding trade to really pan out, the Suns would have to arguably go on a longer postseason run to replace the luxury tax bill with playoff profits. Jones received nine first-place votes and 65 overall points, narrowly beating out . [47][48], On August 3, 2016, Jones re-signed with the Cavaliers. The Hornets made five postseason appearances during his time as general manager, highlighted by a franchise record 56 regular-season wins in 2007-08 and the first division title in team history before pushing the defending champion San Antonio Spurs to seven games in the Western Conference Semifinals. We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission at no extra cost to you. 8/6/21 Re-signed Chris Paul to a partially-guaranteed four-year $120 million contract. He dealt T.J. Warren and the 32nd overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in a three-team trade for cash. Projection for 2022-23 (cap $119 million): Up to $16 million in cap space, none with Mikal Bridges or Deandre Ayton. Deandre Ayton thrived against back-to-back league MVP Nikola Jokic in the second round two years ago. What? For Sarver and Garvin, if the deal falls through, the sales process will have to start all over again and they will be the ones not only paying that additional salary but also the associated luxury tax which include double or triple the cost of the extra salary. email. tweet. At the start of the 2019-20 season, Jones and Williams were the only Black general manager-head coach duo in the league. With a dozen quality running backs in this . Phoenix Suns Get No Love in Top 5 NBA Title Contender List. Odds and lines subject to change. Phoenix Suns general manager James Jones has long been one of the best at his position since taking over duties. In any case, the little moves have been just as important as the big ones when discussing the Phoenix Suns success. [8][2], Jones was traded by the Pacers to the Phoenix Suns on August 25, 2005, in exchange for a 2008 second-round draft pick. [9] He played in 75 games, starting 24, for the Suns during the 200506 season, averaging 9.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 23.6 minutes per game. 2013-14 Im happy for those guys. And Deandre Ayton, with Pauls leadership and push, began living up to his billing of a top pick. Jones has declined to be interviewed during the NBA playoffs because he prefers the focus be on his players. Jones was a four-year letterman in basketball at American High School in Hialeah, Florida. How the Suns lost Game 1, and what that means for the rest of the series, The odds are now well against the Phoenix Suns in this series, though a few tweaks and better effort could make a world of difference, Suns drop to 3rd best title odds as Warriors advance to second round. Onlinebetting.com recently released results of their study of all general managers across the four major sports here in the United States. Jones, who suggested in the fall that he hadnt witnessed the abusive behavior described in ESPNs report, told Spears that the investigation into Sarver didnt give me pause in accepting the extension offer from the team. Jones initially became the Suns interim co-GM alongside Trevor Bukstein following Ryan McDonoughs dismissal in 2018. Why would the outgoing owners care, if theyre about to sell the team? Traded a late first round pick for Chris Paul Since the All-Star Break, hes seen an uptick in minutes and more consistency in his role as a microwave floor-spacer off the bench. He won three NBA championships, two with the Heat and one with the Cavaliers. This gives us a reliable and versatile metric which can be used to evaluate the effective spending of a GM in any major sport.". The three-time NBA Champion is simply referred to. Beyond that take, though, was the real-time realization we saw the latest organizational overhaul in the summer of 2019 and it was exciting to at least see a sense of purpose behind it. Mike Budenholzers Job With Bucks In Jeopardy? Every move he makes will influence the new owners decisions this summer. Warren went on to average 26.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for Indiana in the NBA bubble last season. You can also use one of the numerous US online sportsbooks or one of the offshore betting sites or bet on the go with the best mobile sports betting apps. The Suns had a 19-63 record in 2018/19, but went 34-39 and then 51-21 in the leagues two COVID-shortened seasons, earning a spot in the NBA Finals in 2021 and earning Jones an Executive of the Year award. Not only has Dario revived his career in Phoenix, but hes reinvented himself as a stretch five that they can run the offense through. send. He is one of the main editors of Basketballinsiders. Phoenix Suns general manager James Jones has long been one of the best at his position since taking over duties. There may be mixed opinions on both of these guys, but make no mistake about it, theyve had their moments this year where theyve contributed to winning basketball. The Phoenix Suns dropped from best odds to win the West to 3rd best, despite still being 2nd best to win the whole league. Jones was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2003 NBA draft. 1/15/22 No-trade restriction lifts on Cameron Payne. Rumors Salary NBA 2K Past Salaries. So Im always in constant improvement mode., He added: One thing that I say a lot internally is that, sometimes experience can be the enemy of progress. Jones was also healthy but on the inactive list ten games. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads | EU Privacy Rights | Cookie Policy | Manage Preferences. He was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. Jones, who was the 49th overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers and had a 14-year playing career, said he continues to grow in his role. Reaching 10-15 spots worked with Johnson. James Jones knows a thing or two about that. Jones is a former Phoenix Sun and was originally named the General Manager in 2019 after being. James Jones signed a 1 year, $885,000 contract with the Green Bay Packers, including an average annual salary of $885,000. A daily roundup of Phoenix Suns news from Bright Side of the Sun, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Windhorst: Sarver has veto power on any trade for player making over league average salary, Monty and the Suns need to realize that Shamet aint it. [1] During his time at Miami, he majored in finance, was a member of the National Honor Society, and had a 3.41 grade point average. James just has no ego, Suns coach Monty Williams recently said. [2], In June 2007, Jones was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers along with the draft rights to Rudy Fernandez, the 24th pick in the 2007 NBA draft, in exchange for cash considerations. James Andrew Jones (born October 4, 1980) is an American professional basketball executive and former player. If they dont win games, they dont excel at a high level, the decisions that we make from personnel, the decisions that we make with our personnel, they dont turn out, they dont pan out. [1][2] He played in 33 games, averaging 3.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per game, during his freshman year in 1999. He was given sole control of the position on a permanent basis in 2019, just two years after his retirement as a player. [12] In late January 2008, Jones was leading the NBA in three-point percentage with a percentage slightly over 50%. Jones' final NBA game ever was Game 4 of that 2017 Finals series against the Warriors on June 9, 2017 where Cleveland would win the game 137 - 116 with Jones playing only the last 2 minutes of the game and recording no stats. Looking back, Jones described his honor as a team award and explained why he preferred to be low-key about it. ESPN Stats & Info: LeBron James and Stephen Curry have combined for 60,364 career regular season points, the 2nd-most by opposing players entering any playoff series in NBA history. Of course not! With Paul, the Suns earned the second-best regular-season record in the NBA (51-21) and the fifth-highest single-season winning percentage in franchise history (.708). Not like the LeBrons and the ADs [Anthony Davis] and the Devins [Devin Booker] dont deserve respect. Waived Players: Ty-Shon Alexander (two-way). 8/1/21 Chris Paul opted out of his final season. These are extreme examples, but weve experienced 18 years of Robert Sarver as controlling partner of the Suns ownership group. And just to be a part of that group, is special. I am confident todays announcement positions us strongly as we strive to shape the next great era of Phoenix Suns basketball., Im extremely appreciative of Robert and James for the opportunity to join the Suns organization, said Bower. Center of the Sun: The Rubio mentality, next-level Booker, and respect. When it started to get close, it was one of those deals where I was like, holy smokes, like, this could be really good, Williams said of the Paul trade. Its actually a great challenge for me because I look back to every player, every executive that came before me and try to learn from what they did and I tried to build on that package that they present.. Hes got three of em to prove it and its a sign of respect hes more than earned. Now there are seven such duos, including the Cleveland Cavaliers Koby Altman and J.B. Bickerstaff, the Houston Rockets Rafael Stone and Stephen Silas, the Detroit Pistons Troy Weaver and Dwane Casey, the Dallas Mavericks Nico Harrison and Jason Kidd, the New Orleans Pelicans Trajan Langdon and Willie Green, and the Philadelphia 76ers Elton Brand and Doc Rivers. So, for me personally, Im just thankful for my team.. The club has also added Jeff Bower as senior vice president of basketball operations and retained Trevor Bukstein as assistant general manager. "Calculating the financial performance of GMs across different sports is far more complicated. 8/6/21 Re-signed Cameron Payne to a partially-guaranteed three-year $19 million contract via Early Bird Rights. It was his first start since April 2, 2015. Our goal is to do the same thing. PHOENIX James Jones made a rare public appearance on the Phoenix Suns Arena floor before Game 2 of the NBA Finals to present star guard Devin Booker with the NBA Cares Community Assist Award. [2][34] He was a DNP-CD for 43 games and missed another game due to personal reasons. The NBA announced prior to Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals that Phoenix Suns general manager James Jones has been selected as the 2020-21 NBA Executive of the Year. Prior to becoming assistant general manager, Bukstein spent three seasons as the Suns director of basketball administration. Miami Gardens native James Jones was named General Manager of the Phoenix Suns in 2019 and is a leading candidate for 2021 NBA Executive of the Year. [5] He played in only 26 total minutes[6] over six games during his rookie campaign in 200304 and missed 66 games due to a variety of injuries. [31] In the 201112 season, an impressive playoff run by the Heat culminated in his first NBA championship, and the franchise's second as they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2012 NBA Finals, 4 games to 1. They may not get as many team-friendly deals next season, but youd figure they would expect to at least bring 2 or 3 of these five back excluding Dario. Jones brought in the majority of those players, not to mention Williams himself. All & all I think he has very much damaged the future of the team, upset his star (Ayton) just a bad GM if you ask me! 10/31/21 Team options on Cameron Johnson and Jalen Smith. The Suns have surrounded their stars with the perfect blend of complementary pieces. One of his first roster moves in 2019 was trading No. If outgoing salary is < $19,600,000 then incoming salary can be + $5,000,000. And so thats been my experience since Ive been here. To get Josh Jackson out of Phoenix, he attached a showing-signs-after-his-rookie-year DeAnthony Melton (that is now a crucial piece for the Memphis Grizzlies) and two second-round picks to Jackson for Memphis to send back salary filler (Kyle Korver) and Jevon Carter. Landry Shamet continues to be the first guy off the bench for the Suns. Second-rounders: Dwayne Collins (2010-60th), Cenk Akyol (2005-59th), Milos Vujanic (2002-36th), Ron Ellis (1992-49th), Non-Bird: Langston Galloway ($1,669,178), ETwaun Moore ($1,669,178). James Jones' expert execution as GM of Suns earns him well-deserved extension Jan 25, 2022, 6:45 PM Owner Robert Sarver and general manager James Jones of the Phoenix Suns look on. I do think he has botched the job, really. And so I dont see it as pressure. [2], Jones played in 38 games for the Heat during the 201213 season while averaging 1.6 points, 0.6 rebounds and 5.8 minutes. Because of this, the Suns are a work team, what they commonly refer to themselves as. The hard part is over. Suns general manager James Jones signs multiyear contract extension. That means General Manager James Jones has extra complications baked into any potential trades he wants to execute by February 9, including the need to get transactional approval from multiple places for any team-improving deadline deals. 6 overall pick Jarrett Culver to Minnesota for Dario Saric and No. Now, there's some evidence to support that. Williams and Chris Paul join Jones as the 1B and 1C to usher in that type of attitude and set a precedent for whats tolerated when youre a member of the Suns. Jones retired as a player after the 2016-17 season and was named the Suns vice president of basketball operations that summer. All of those are moves that displayed a clear net loss in value and would go on to receive the worst of the trade grades, deservedly so at that time. The minutes have declined a bit, as hes averaging a career-low 18.5 minutes per-game, but he is making the most of them as hes ranked 3rd in the NBA in net rating at an astounding 15.9. Langston Galloway is a perfect 17-for-17 from the free-throw line and shooting an eye-popping 45.1% from the three-point line. [44][45] He played in 48 games during the 201516 season while averaging 3.7 points, 1.0 rebounds and 9.6 minutes a game. I cant wait to see how it all turns out. 2016-17 With Jimmy Butler hobbled late by an ankle injury, Miami gets big performances from Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love to take the series opener in New York. 8/6/21 Renounced the rights to Cheick Diallo and Tariq Owens. [52] Jones played in 48 games, starting 2, for the Cavaliers during the 201617 season while averaging 2.8 points, 0.8 rebounds and 7.9 minutes a game.[34]. Odds and lines subject to change. Here's Every Phoenix Suns NBA 2K23 Rating, Suns Still Control Draft Assets Despite Competitive Roster, Suns' Dario Saric Impressing in EuroBasket, Devin Booker Likely Getting Signature Shoe. J." However, Jones has made a handful of key moves since taking the reins, including hiring Monty Williams as the clubs head coach. Bukstein will remain assistant general manager with the Suns, a position he has held since 2013. Lets wait and see how this Deandre Ayton situation unfolds. Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for Andscape. [2], On June 29, 2010, he was released to clear salary cap space worth $400,000. The option is worth a little over $14.1 million, but the Browns have time to re-work a longer-term contract for Wills and lower that number on their 2024 salary cap. SG:Devin Booker, Landry Shamet After a relatively quiet trading deadline for the Suns, James Jones still wears that cumbersome "interim co-general manager" tag with the team, alongside salary-cap and pro personnel guru . I have the utmost confidence in James as the leader of our basketball operations moving forward, and we are aligned in the ultimate goal of one day bringing an NBA championship to Phoenix.. Jones accepted the award, but declined to be interviewed during the entire NBA playoffs because he preferred the focus be on his players. This trade deadline they couldve done the same, and they once again did not. The Sarver/Garvin pairing hasnt written a luxury tax check in over 10 years. [1] He was also named the Class 6A Player of the Year and the Miami Herald Boys' Basketball Player of the Year. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1 overall pick have been mischaracterized. PHOENIX The Phoenix Suns announced today they have named James Jones as general manager. It did not work with Jalen Smith. Jones has to clear any significant trades interim governor Sam Garvin, outgoing governor Robert Sarver and potentially incoming governors, the Ishbia brothers. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. The Suns will need more than a Tesla motor to stop the two-time MVP. 10/19/21 First day of the 2021-22 regular season. He missed one game due to an intestinal virus and was a DNP-CD 35 times. Its really unreal when I think about it. Now there are five Black general manager-head coach duos in the NBA, including Clevelands Koby Altman and J.B. Bickerstaff, the Houston Rockets Rafael Stone and Stephen Silas, the Detroit Pistons Troy Weaver and Dwane Casey, and Dallas Mavericks newcomers Nico Harrison and Jason Kidd. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. That award, the franchise, the players, the coaches, the staff, what I call the entire Suns team, they made me look good. 9/14/21 No-aggregation restriction lifts on Landry Shamet. 7/19/21 Jalen Lecque trade exception ($898,310) expired. From Stephen Curry's 50-point wizardry to Kevon Looney's elite rebounding, these 5 things mattered most in Game 7. Theres only so many of those spots, only so many of those positions in the league, and to be able to fill those spots, and to be able to be a part of it, its special. Onlinebetting.com recently. [11], He appeared in 76 games, with 7 starts, for the team during the 200607 season, averaging 6.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 18.1 minutes a game. [1] He was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. And you dont do the things that we do in a vacuum. [69][2][40] The James Jones Legacy Foundation was founded in 2009. 2017-18 Jones joined the Suns as the vice president of basketball operations in 2017 before being named interim general manager and eventually the permanent general manager in 2019. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. 2015-16 James has demonstrated a remarkable ability to manage the day-to-day efforts of our front office while developing strong relationships with our players, coaches and those across our organization and league, said Suns managing partner Robert Sarver. In Paul, Jones gave Williams a future Hall of Fame point guard who he had previously worked with in New Orleans. A franchise with rich history at the center position, the Los Angeles Lakers went into the 2018-19 NBA season with JaVale McGee the only viable big man. He not only has to work on making the best on-court product he can, hes also got to start thinking about the desires of the new buyers. You know what I mean? This doesnt necessarily mean Sarver or Garvin would veto a trade that makes the Suns better. [40][43] The Cavaliers won the Eastern Conference championship for the second year in a row and went on to win the 2016 NBA championship, becoming the first team in history to win the championship after being down 31 in the Finals, as Jones won his third title in five years. He played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). [10] The NBA did not start recording individual turnovers until the 197778 season. [53] On October 8, 2018, Jones was named an interim general manager for the Phoenix Suns alongside assistant general manager Trevor Bukstein after firing the previous general manager, Ryan McDonough. We know how he operates. It is worth noting that of this group, only Dario Saric is under contract for next season. 2012-13. [23] He completed two four-point plays in a span of eleven seconds in a playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks on April 29, 2009. Void in ONT. Trainer: Brady Howe (senior director of player health and performance), David Crewe (director of medical services/head athletic trainer). They helped us get the program rolling. The selection of Johnson was viewed by draft experts at the time as a reach, but both he and Saric became regular rotation players in Phoenix, while Culver lasted just two seasons with the Wolves. Johnson has also become a valuable scorer off the bench. What? In those 7 games, hes putting up per-100 possessions numbers of 20.4 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, and 0.9 BPG on a .563 True Shooting Percentage. On taking the extension during the Sarver investigation, Jones added: This organization, business and basketball, its good. Dario Saric out with an ACL injury suffered 7/6/21. Remember, the owners have to pay the luxury tax out of their own pockets and share it with the other owners who didnt cross that luxury tax line. [2][72] He began hosting an annual basketball camp called JHoops Live in 2009. April 11, 2019 4:27 PM. In exchange for Paul and forward Abdel Nader, the Suns sent Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a 2022 first-round pick to the Thunder. What direction management goes will. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images), (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MA/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. [2] He started all seven of the team's playoff games that season. The question I ended with was how high it would take them. [15][2] Jones finished the 200708 season third in the league in three-point percentage with a percentage of 44.4%. Series preview: What to expect in Warriors-Lakers, 5 takeaways from Warriors' Game 7 victory, 5 takeaways from Heat's Game 1 win over Knicks. We all know from years past, Sarvers transaction approvals are often heavily influenced by his own personal perception of the players in question. Jones understands the weight that comes with being a Black NBA general manager. He gave the Suns some much-needed big man production when Dario Saric missed time and Damian Jones was unplayable. [2] He scored a career-high 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting while going 6-of 9-from three-point range on November 28, 2004, against the Seattle SuperSonics. He was also never on a team with a losing record. [65] Because of the Suns' dramatic improvement, Jones earned the 202021 NBA Executive of the Year Award. I have such a great team that I work with on the basketball side, but just as well equally, and sometimes even more on the business side. RotoWire considers the best player values in Yahoo fantasy leagues for Monday's 2-game slate of NBA playoff matchups. The former player has helped build Phoenix into a championship contender. Something went wrong. Theres a reason you see quotes every couple of months from All-Stars like Damian Lillard and Rudy Gobert gushing about the way the Suns get after it. The talent, the people here are amazing. That points towards them having the utmost confidence in the Payne train. Jones hired Williams, the former New Orleans Pelicans head coach, as the Suns new head coach on May 3, 2019. SF: Mikal Bridges, Abdel Nader Currently, there are 11 African American general managers in the league, as well as Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, who is Nigerian. 10/18/21 Extension deadline for Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges. Jones led the Heat in games played, three-point field goals made with 123, three-point field goals attempted with 287 and charges drawn with 29. Its no surprise he was the perfect person to do that after Jones nickname in the veteran stages of his playing career was Champ. The nickname was bestowed to Jones by LeBron James and company for Jones consistent, professional presence and work rate, the true conduct of a champion. In 2009-10, Bower served as New Orleans head coach for the final 73 games of the season, posting a 34-39 record. He once believed he could replace Amare Stoudemire with the collection of Hakim Warrick, Josh Childress and Hedo Turkoglu. James Jones, Suns general manager (Matt Layman/Arizona Sports) . Taking a risk, taking a swing for the fences to move the needle, etc. 8/10/21 Signed Elfrid Payton to a $2,239,544 minimum contract. He missed one game as a DNP-CD. Whether Ayton likes it or not, the Suns need his motor to be running hotter from here on out. This diversity means its hard to evaluate teams from different sports, particularly where some sports teams are encouraged and in fact required to pay a minimum amount to players (in the NFL teams must spend at least 95% of the salary cap), and in others they are incredibly frugal and try to spend as little as possible (take for example the Baltimore Orioles who will spend less than $50mil for their total payroll in 2022, less than 20% of the top spending MLB team, the Los Angeles Dodgers). Boy, were already in the clouds we never could have imagined reaching, huh?