The Phoenix Suns have looked amazing so far this preseason. Starting 3-1 with only one game left they look to end on a strong note. We have seen the emergence of this roster under coach Budenholzer and it has fans excited for the season start. With the preseason getting closer to an end, the Suns have to look at their Exhibit 10 deals and see who is going to make the roster. The Suns are waiving two players leaving one contract still up in the air. Moses Wood and Mamadi Diakite have been waived, leaving the roster with only 18 players. This also leaves one player on an Exhibit 10 not waived, Frank Kaminsky, as he may earn the final roster spot.
The Suns Waive Moses Wood & Mamadi Diakite
The Suns ultimately had to make some moves on the smaller end and decided to do them today. With the Suns waiving these players, it is not much of a surprise. Wood was brought in on an Exhibit 10 deal not too long ago. Wood had previously been on the Atlanta Hawks summer league and was a younger player they wanted to evaluate. He did not get much playing time as he only played 5 minutes across two games and just did not shine sadly.
Diakite on the other hand, has been moved plentiful this offseason. He was first involved in the New York blockbuster deal sending Mikal Bridges to play with his college buddies. He was moved out of Manhattan and went to Brooklyn. Not long after that though, he was moved to Memphis for Ziaire Williams. Not done but almost, he was then waived from Memphis and his G-league rights were then shipped to Phoenix. Once he arrived here he signed the exhibit 10. In three games for the Suns, he totaled 20 minutes finishing with 7 points and 5 rebounds. Diakite looked to secure the final roster spot but just did not stand out enough in the time he showcased his skills in Phoenix.
Where Will The Suns’ Waived Players End Up?
Now that these players have gotten waived, the ball is now in their court. With the Suns now having a G-League team the Valley Suns, these guys have some options. The first is they can go to the Valley Suns and get a signing bonus due to being on an exhibit 10. This ensures they would stay in Phoenix and could potentially work for a two-way spot in the future. Phoenix would also have to ensure being able to roster them, but with the Valley Suns performing trades left and right this I think is very likely.
For Wood and Diakite if they do not want to go this route they can always just go overseas. If that fails then try and compete for another roster spot on a different franchise. Personally, if the first option is available I’d take it and I don’t blame either if they do. Wood is still very young and even though Diakite has had some NBA minutes, playing for the Valley Suns could polish some skills to get him back to the NBA.
What this Means for Frank Kaminsky
With the Suns performing these moves, it leaves them with one exhibit 10 deal left. For Frank, he obviously is loved in Phoenix and could possibly land himself in that last roster spot. Jusuf Nurkic is still out with that middle finger injury and the Suns lack center depth. They did bring in veteran Mason Plumlee but he has not looked the best in the preseason. Oso Ighodaro is young and even though he has shown promise I don’t trust him in starting center minutes yet. Having Kaminsky as a last option may just fit and be perfect for this team’s final roster spot. With him not getting waived that definitely says they may keep him and it is something to keep an eye on. I would not be shocked if he is kept and used if Nurkic’s injury lingers into this season.
This is what coach Bud had to say on Frank Kaminsky staying in Phoenix after the cuts this afternoon.
“Having an open spot can add to our flexibility, adds to things you can do down the road and then there’s a player like Frank who can help you maybe win games and help us in a lot of different ways.” Mike Budenholzer.
How keeping Frank Kaminsky could help Suns.
Story 👇. #Suns https://t.co/hzmVlhvSIg pic.twitter.com/kqW87nk2ea
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 14, 2024
