Phoenix Suns

Can the Phoenix Suns sign a max free agent in 2028-29?

Season2026-272027-282028-292029-302030-31

Not through free agency. The Suns have no cap space for 2028-29 (projected), and outside free agents can only sign for the max using cap space.
Max, 0-6 yrs (25%)
$47.2M
Max, 7-9 yrs (30%)
$56.7M
Max, 10+ yrs (35%)
$66.1M
Cap space
-$42.2M

Max starting salaries run $47.2M to $66.1M depending on experience (projected), and the Suns' cap position is -$42.2M. The one path: renouncing all their free-agent holds would open $77.9M, enough for the $47.2M tier, at the cost of their Bird rights.

Without room, a max-level player can still arrive by trade (matching salary) or by the Suns re-signing their own free agent with Bird rights, which works over the cap.

This is a forward look at 2028-29: it counts the contracts, options, and cap holds already on the Suns books for that season. Signings, trades, and option decisions between now and then will move these numbers.

The rule behind this

A player's maximum starting salary is a percentage of the salary cap, set by his years of service: 25% with 0–6 years, 30% with 7–9, and 35% with 10 or more.

How do NBA max salaries work?What is cap space?What does renouncing a free agent mean?

More Suns questions

Do the Phoenix Suns have cap space in 2028-29?Are the Phoenix Suns in the luxury tax in 2028-29?Are the Phoenix Suns over the apron in 2028-29?Do the Phoenix Suns have the mid-level exception in 2028-29?Who are the Phoenix Suns free agents in 2028-29?What draft picks do the Phoenix Suns have?

Numbers come straight from the live Suns cap sheet, recomputed whenever the data updates.