Did the Suns Just Build the First All–Shooting Guard Roster? Phoenix Spends 101% of Cap on One Position — and NBA Fans Are Baffled
PHOENIX, AZ — In one of the most eyebrow-raising off-season developments so far, the Phoenix Suns have managed to do something no NBA front office has ever done — they’ve spent over 100% of their salary cap on shooting guards alone.
Yes, you read that right.
According to CBS Sports, the projected salary cap for the 2025-26 NBA season sits at $154.6 million. But between just four players — all listed at the shooting guard position — the Suns have already committed an astonishing $157 million, or roughly 101% of their cap space, to one position group.
💸 The Four Contracts Breaking the Cap
Here’s the jaw-dropping breakdown:
Bradley Beal — $53.66 million
Devin Booker — $53.14 million
Jalen Green — $33.33 million
Grayson Allen — $16.87 million
In total: $157 million, all tied to players who operate in the same area of the court — the two-guard spot.
And that’s not all. According to NBA insider John Hollinger, seven of the ten players currently under contract for Phoenix are shooting guards.
🤔 What’s the Plan Here?
While the Suns’ roster is still far from finalized and moves are expected, this unusual roster construction has left fans and analysts scratching their heads.
“Unless the Suns plan to roll out an entire lineup of shooting guards, they’ve put themselves in a nearly impossible financial and roster-building position,” Hollinger noted.
Even in today’s positionless basketball era, building a balanced, competitive team requires diversity across skill sets and positions — something the Suns currently lack.
🏀 A Look at the Bigger Picture
The Suns’ situation isn’t entirely accidental. They’ve been aggressive in acquiring top-tier scoring talent, especially in the backcourt:
Bradley Beal, a multi-time All-Star, was added in a blockbuster trade last year.
Devin Booker, the franchise cornerstone, remains the team’s offensive focal point.
Jalen Green, acquired in a recent high-profile trade with Houston, brings electric scoring and youth.
Grayson Allen, a sharpshooting role player, rounds out the logjam at the two.
But with so much money tied up in a single position, questions loom about their ability to address glaring roster holes — namely at point guard, wing defense, and interior depth.
📉 The Cap Crunch is Real
The NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement penalizes teams that exceed salary cap thresholds, especially under the luxury tax and “second apron” restrictions. With 101% of their cap already committed to shooting guards, the Suns face steep financial consequences — and limited flexibility to improve their roster.
Without significant trades or roster reshuffling, the team risks entering the season with minimal depth, positional redundancy, and a bloated payroll.
🔮 What Comes Next?
The Suns’ front office insists this is just the start of a long offseason, and additional moves are on the horizon. But in the meantime, fans are left wondering:
✔ Are the Suns building a new “positionless” super team?
✔ Or are they caught in one of the most lopsided roster constructions in recent memory?
For now, the Suns hold the title for the most expensive shooting guard rotation in NBA history — but whether that translates to wins remains to be seen.
