Phoenix Suns Getting Inside 2009-09-18 News Phoenix Suns

The Suns will still start the season over the luxury tax threshold, but they are a lot closer to the magic number after executing buyouts for both players obtained in the Shaquille O'Neal trade. O'Neal, who would have been a $21 million hit against the cap, went to Cleveland before the June draft in exchange for center Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic, who were both paid to go away. Wallace had a $14 million contract for this season before accepting a $10 million buyout in July, while Pavlovic accepted a $1.25 million buyout of his $4.95 million deal -- $250,000 less than the guaranteed figure on his contract.

Looking at it one way, the Suns are paying two guys $11.25 million not to play. But add up the savings of both contracts and the fact that it would be doubled by the dollar-for-dollar tax, and the Suns save more than $18 million and, at sitting at just under $75 million in payroll, are in a position to duck under the tax (just under $70 million) during the season before a trading deadline move.

Those moves also allowed the Suns to sign Channing Frye, who they hope will be a great fit for the wide-open offense they plan to bring back this season, as a free agent. They were also able to pay Grant Hill enough to return to the Suns despite his being pursued by several teams -- some with more money to spend -- and keep Steve Nash happy.

Not bringing in a big man to replace Wallace leaves the door open for 2008 first-round pick Robin Lopez to play his way into the rotation -- or to put it another way, he'd better. Louis Amundson will also get more time and 2009 first-round pick Earl Clark from Louisville will also get a big early opportunity, again more out of necessity.