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It was a question Oso Ighodaro didn’t have a definitive answer to two days prior, but it all came to fruition for the Phoenix Suns big man. On Sunday, Ighodaro and the Suns inked a $29 million extension that stretches over three years, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The deal itself is quality value with nearly $10 AAV, but the way Phoenix did it should be given more attention. They made sure to give the extension before the October 19 deadline.
Not to mention, the Suns waited until this extension to pick up Ighodaro’s $2.8 team option for the upcoming 2026-27 season. In total, he’ll be with the team for four seasons, barring any trades in the future.
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Going back to the deal itself, this gives the organization some needed and continued defensive legitimacy at the center spot. For the former Marquette big man, it provides clarity and trust from the franchise that they want him for the long haul.
Oso Ighodaro’s contract extension was on the Suns radar
There was a clear reason the extension took longer than expected. Previously, they picked up qualifying offers for Khaman Maluach and Ryan Dunn. Ighodaro was different because he was a second-round pick, so those rights weren’t present.
But his impact cannot be disregarded. He was a major part of Phoenix’s defensive identity, and the ideal rim-running and playmaking big man for first-year head coach Jordan Ott.
This new contract? It felt like it was only a matter of time. Last season, the third-year big man had plenty of opportunities and shine. Most notably, Ighodaro had an absurd +52 game for the Suns, something that his teammates weren’t all surprised about.
That’s only a microcosm of what he provides. Besides the statstical achievements, he’s an excellent screener, playing out of the short roll, and finding adequate spacing without being a shooter.
Ighodaro’s contract might be the first of a few dominos for Phoenix to fall with Dunn, Miles Bridges, and Jalen Green all eligible.
Either way, the center position is set, and the Suns have a key piece of that group for the next handful of years.
Related: Suns’ Oso Ighodaro agrees to $29 million contract extension before 2026-27 season
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