Suns Plan to Create New G League Team; Would Be Final NBA Organization with Affiliate
The Phoenix Suns intend to start a new NBA G League affiliate that could begin play as early as the 2024-25 season.
"Bringing a G League team to the Valley has been a priority for us, and I am excited that we have begun the process and the wheels are in motion to have a team in Phoenix as early as the 2024-25 season," team governor Mat Ishbia said to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
"Not only will this allow us to develop young players within our winning culture, but also will serve as an opportunity to expand our reach and connect with even more basketball fans across the region."
The Suns are the only NBA franchise without a direct G League affiliate. The Portland Trail Blazers were in the same boat before they announced the Rip City Remix will join the league in 2023-24.
In April 2016, Phoenix purchased the Bakersfield Jam and rebranded them as the Northern Arizona Suns to ensure the franchise was represented in the NBA's developmental league. But then-owner Robert Sarver sold the Northern Arizona Suns to the Detroit Pistons in July 2020, and they were subsequently rebranded as the Motor City Cruise and moved to Detroit.
Getting back into the business of the G League further outlines how Ishbia is willing to invest in the Suns' short- and long-term futures.
With the acquisition of Bradley Beal, Phoenix is set to have a $186 million payroll for 2023-24. The cost of firing head coach Monty Williams was into eight figures.
Ishbia also pursued a broadcasting rights deal for the Suns and WNBA's Phoenix Mercury that will presumably lessen their television money but significantly widen their on-air reach. It's a bet that won't pay off for a while if it pays off at all.
From a practical standpoint, the timing couldn't be any better to gain an official G League affiliate.
As long as they continue pinning their championship hopes on Beal, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, the Suns will be limited by the new collective bargaining agreement in how they can fill out the roster. They currently have four players on max contracts and 10 others on minimum deals.
The G League will be a great place for Phoenix to develop some low-cost talent that complements the all-in team-building approach.
