MATCH DETAILS- Fixture: Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets Date & Time: Monday, December 23, 2019, 9:00 PM ET (Tuesday, 2:00 AM GMT) Venue: Talking Stick Resort Arena [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talking_Stick_Resort_Arena], Phoenix, Arizona. PREVIEW- Having won five consecutive games at home, Denver Nuggets travelled to Los Angeles on Sunday to register an impressive win over the Lakers. With 20 wins in 28 games, the Nuggets are now second in the Western Conference. The 128-104 win must have lifted the spirits for the team from Colorado, and with it, they will travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to face a Suns team that is quite a few places below them in the Western Conference table. With a win-loss record of 11-18, the Suns are in the 11th in the Western Conference. The Suns will be coming into the game after a loss to Houston Rockets at home on Saturday. The Suns have now lost their last six games and won only two out of their last 10. In the Nuggets win over the Timberwolves, Denver was led on offense by Nikola Jokic. Jokic had a phenomenal game recording a triple-double, finishing with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. INJURY UPDATES & TEAM NEWS- Phoenix Suns- Injuries: Dario Saric (leg injury)- Probable, Frank Kaminsky (Knee)- Probable, Ricky Rubio (Illness)- Questionable, Deandre Ayton (Ankle)- Out Expected starting line-up: Elie Okobo, Devin Booker, Dario Saric, Kelly Oubre Jr., Aron Baynes Denver Nuggets- Injuries: No injuries Expected starting line-up: Jamal Murray, Dary Harris, Paul Millsap, Will Barton, Nikola Jokic [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/nikola-jokic/] PREDICTIONS- Kelly Oubre Jr. has been doing well for the Suns. He was their highest scorer in their previous loss with 26 points. As for the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic has been a consistent performer along with the likes of Jamal Murray. The Nuggets have been one of the best defensive teams in the league although they haven’t scored a great number of points. But they should be able to crack the Suns defence and should be able to win comfortably. 

Injury Updates, Team News, Match Preview & Predictions for the game between
Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets on December 23

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Saketh Kandadai, Author at EssentiallySports

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<h2 style="text-align: center">Who is Nikola Jokic?</h2>
28-year-old Nikola Jokic is a Serbian big man who plays for the <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/denver-nuggets/">Denver Nuggets</a>. The 41st pick in the 2014 Draft is a 2x NBA MVP and 2023 NBA Champion. The father of one is also a devout horse racer, owning over a dozen horses in his home country that compete in professional races.
<h2 style="text-align: center"> Nikola Jokic’s Early Life</h2>
Nikola Jokic was born on February 19, 1995, in Sombor, Serbia. The 'Joker' spent most of his early life in Serbia with his family. Nikola Jokic's father is Branislav Jokic, who is an agricultural engineer. Details about Jokic's mother are not public, so very little is known about her except that Nikola and his two older brothers were raised by their parents and their grandmother in a tiny apartment. The 2x NBA MVP started playing basketball with his brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja Jokic, at a very young age.

While Strahinja played professional basketball in Europe, Nemanja played college basketball in the US. Nikola developed a love for the game of basketball from a very young age, playing with his older brothers. After impressing many playing youth basketball, Jokic started playing in the Serbian professional league in 2012. He graduated high school, but he did not attend college.
<h2 style="text-align: center"> Nikola Jokic’s Wife and Children</h2>
Jokic has been in a long-term relationship with his high school sweetheart, Natalija Jokic. Natalija played volleyball for the Florida Seminoles in 2o13. When Nikola Jokic moved to Denver in 2015, she relocated to live with him. The two later tied the knot on October 24th, 2020, in Sombor, their hometown. The couple welcomed their daughter Ognjena Jokic, in September 2021.

[caption id="attachment_1818053" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1818053" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-06-13T034237Z_360969664_MT1USATODAY20881601_RTRMADP_3_NBA-FINALS-MIAMI-HEAT-AT-DENVER-NUGGETS.jpg" alt="Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets" width="1920" height="1250" /> Jun 12, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver awards the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award to Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) after the Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Championship against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy: Reuters[/caption]

The Jokics are a very closely knit and can be seen courtside during most home games. The 6x NBA All-Star is a family man and has multiple practices up his sleeve to drive home the importance of family. Notably, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-basketball-news-nikola-jokics-wholesome-ritual-in-the-presence-of-his-family-vs-celtics-makes-nba-fans-suggest-hes-winning-life/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jokic ties his wedding ring to his sneakers while playing</a> and also has an adorable hand gesture for his daughter who is courtside which relates to one of her favorite songs.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center"> Nikola Jokic’s Net Worth 2024</h2>
Nikola Jokic reportedly has a net worth of around $50 million. The Serbian signed a <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-active-basketball-news-tennis-news-novak-djokovic-falls-thirty-one-million-short-of-fellow-serbian-star-nikola-jokic-despite-being-atps-two-thousand-twenty-three-highest-earner-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">massive $272 million contract extension</a> with the Denver Nuggets in 2022. With this improved contract, Jokic will earn around $47 million for the current season. So far, the towering center has amassed over $190 million in NBA salary. He also reportedly earns around $750,000 per year from his endorsement deals with companies like Nike, Panini, and Western Union.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">Nikola Jokic's Career</h2>
Nikola Jokic initially started playing youth basketball with KK Vojvodina Srbijagas. As his performances improved, Jokic gained attention from some of the most popular teams in Serbia. Then in 2012, KK Mega Basket came calling and Jokic signed his first pro contract with the Belgrade-based team. However, he still mostly played for the junior team throughout the 2012-13 season to hone his skills. In the next season, Jokic received more game time from the senior team, grabbing the opportunity with both hands. In 2014, Nikola Jokic declared for the NBA draft.

The Denver Nuggets famously selected the 'Joker' as the 41st overall pick in the second round <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-active-basketball-news-nikola-jokic-draft-class-forty-players-and-a-taco-bell-commercial-overshadowed-two-time-mvps-big-night/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">during a commercial break for 'Taco Bell'</a>. The 6'11" center then returned to KK Mega Basket to continue his development. After another successful year in the Serbian League where he won the Adriatic League MVP Award, Jokic joined the Nuggets to pursue his NBA career in 2015. Jokic's versatility was evident right from the start in his rookie season.

He averaged 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in his first season, playing 80 games and starting 55. The Nuggets' faith in the young star was also clear. Furthermore, his displays earned him a spot on the All-Rookie First Team. From there, Jokic progressed quickly, finishing his second year with 6 triple-doubles (4th highest that year) and a second place in the Most Improved Player race. The next season was when the 'Joker' established himself as a premier threat, recording the fastest triple-double in NBA history.

From 2019 onwards, Jokic has made the All-Star team for five straight years. He then became one of the best players in the league and won back-to-back NBA MVP honors in 2021 and 2022. Though he couldn't win three consecutive regular-season MVPs, Nikola Jokic compensated by winning the 2023 NBA Championship and Finals MVP Award instead. It was the Nuggets' first championship in franchise history. <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-basketball-news-hours-before-game-two-tip-off-nikola-jokic-eyes-a-thirty-nine-year-long-nba-finals-record-last-held-by-magic-johnson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">He became only the second player to post a triple-double on his NBA Finals debut</a>. Jokic is also leading the MVP race for the 2023-24 season while breaking into the top 4 on the list of career NBA triple-doubles.

[caption id="attachment_2557419" align="aligncenter" width="7008"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2557419" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-01-14T233146Z_502467131_MT1USATODAY22293363_RTRMADP_3_NBA-INDIANA-PACERS-AT-DENVER-NUGGETS.jpg" alt="Nikola Jokić" width="7008" height="4672" /> Jan 14, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

The 6x All-Star has played in 645 regular season NBA games. In 2021, he dropped a regular season high of 50 points against the Sacramento Kings. He has also tallied regular-season highs of 16 assists and 27 rebounds.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;width: 39.2857%;height: 72px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 20%;text-align: center;height: 24px">Regular season points</td>
<td style="width: 19.2857%;text-align: center;height: 24px">13,421 (20.7 ppg)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 20%;height: 24px;text-align: center">Regular season rebounds</td>
<td style="width: 19.2857%;text-align: center;height: 24px">6,905 (10.7 rpg)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 20%;height: 24px;text-align: center">Regular season assists</td>
<td style="width: 19.2857%;text-align: center;height: 24px">4,425 (6.8 apg)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Nikola Jokic dropped his playoff high in Game 4 of the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals, scoring 53 points in a loss against the Phoenix Suns. He is also the only player in NBA history to have multiple games with 30+ points, 20+ rebounds, and 10+ assists in the postseason. Jokic has played in 68 playoff games.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;width: 39.2857%;height: 72px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 20%;height: 24px;text-align: center">Postseason points</td>
<td style="width: 19.2857%;height: 24px;text-align: center">1,869 (27.5 ppg)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 20%;height: 24px;text-align: center">Postseason rebounds</td>
<td style="width: 19.2857%;height: 24px;text-align: center">820 (12.1 rpg)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 20%;height: 24px;text-align: center">Postseason assists</td>
<td style="width: 19.2857%;height: 24px;text-align: center">496 (7.3 apg)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2 style="text-align: center">Nikola Jokic’s Contracts </h2>
Upon his entry to the league, the second-rounder signed a 3-year $4.1 million contract. In 2018, the Denver Nuggets signed Nikola Jokic to a five-year contract extension worth $147 million. During the same, he would win back-to-back regular season MVP Awards and help the team to the Western Conference Finals. He then signed an impressive five-year $272 million contract extension in 2022, which was the most expensive deal at the time it was signed. The much-improved package is expected to earn him an average annual salary of $54 million until 2028, with the last year featuring a player option. In total, including his incentives, the 9-season NBA center has earned $198,124,795 through his contracts.
<h2 style="text-align: center">Nikola Jokic’s Partnerships and Endorsements</h2>
Nikola Jokic has secured endorsement deals with major brands such as Nike, Western Union, Somborac, Panini and 361 Degrees. Even though Jokic has been arguably the best player in the league winning two straight NBA MVP awards, he is yet to have his own signature shoe. Late in 2023, the Serbian star didn't extend his Nike contract and instead signed with Chinese shoe company 361 Degrees. He has also featured in recent ads for 'Hotels.com' alongside his teammate Peyton Watson and his former NBA Finals opponent, Jimmy Butler.
<h2 style="text-align: center"> Nikola Jokic’s Investments</h2>
Nikola Jokic invested over $3 million in NFTs. However, the investment didn't pay dividends as their value has plummeted by over 70%. Apart from cryptocurrency, Jokic has also invested in real estate. The 2023 NBA Finals MVP purchased 3 homes for an estimated $12 million, choosing to lease out two of them.
<h2 style="text-align: center">Nikola Jokic’s Records</h2>
<ul>
 	<li>First NBA player with at least 10 triple-doubles recorded for 7 straight seasons</li>
 	<li>Most triple-doubles in a single postseason</li>
 	<li>Third NBA player to record 500 points, 200 rebounds, and 150 assists in a single postseason (after Magic Johnson and LeBron James)</li>
 	<li>Third NBA player to record 40 points, 25+ rebounds, and 10 assists in a game (after Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain)</li>
 	<li>Fastest triple-double in an NBA game (14 minutes, 33 seconds)</li>
 	<li>Only NBA player to tally at least 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists in a single season</li>
 	<li>Most assists by a player in their NBA Finals debut (14)</li>
 	<li>Second player in NBA history to record a triple-double in their NBA Finals debut (after Jason Kidd)</li>
 	<li>Second player in NBA history to record 4 consecutive triple-doubles in the same postseason (after Wilt Chamberlain)</li>
 	<li>Most triple-doubles by a center in NBA history</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">Nikola Jokic's Major Achievements and Awards</h2>
<ul>
 	<li>NBA champion (2023)</li>
 	<li>NBA Finals MVP (2023)</li>
 	<li>2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2021, 2022)</li>
 	<li>6× NBA All-Star (2019–2024)</li>
 	<li>3× All-NBA First Team (2019, 2021, 2022)</li>
 	<li>2× All-NBA Second Team (2020, 2023)</li>
 	<li>NBA All-Rookie First Team (2016)</li>
 	<li>3× Serbian Player of the Year (2018, 2021, 2022)</li>
 	<li>ABA League MVP (2015)</li>
 	<li>ABA League Top Prospect (2015)</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">Nikola Jokic's Charity and Foundation</h2>
Nikola Jokic is generous in giving back to the community. His latest act of philanthropy was reportedly for the LuBird's Light Foundation. In 2019, Jokic and Jamal Murray attended a charity ping pong event to raise funds for building accessible playgrounds through the LuBird Foundation. He also made a significant donation to a medical center in his hometown, Sombor to help fight against the coronavirus.
<h2 style="text-align: center">Nikola Jokic’s Shoe Deal</h2>
Nike signed Nikola Jokic in 2015 but never created a signature line for the 2x NBA MVP. He wore different sneakers like the Hyperdunk, Zoom Rize and the Nike Air Zoom G.T. Jumps during his stint with Nike. However, in December 2023, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-active-basketball-news-ditching-nike-nikola-jokic-follows-aaron-gordon-into-nine-hundred-ninety-million-worth-chinese-brand/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the 'Joker' signed a multi-year deal with Chinese footwear brand 361 Degrees</a>. The 21-year-old company has already begun work on Jokic's first signature shoe. In the meantime, the Denver Nuggets star has been taking to the court in the Big3 Future High.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">Nikola Jokic's House</h2>
Nikola Jokic reportedly owns a $2.4 million mansion in Denver, Colorado. The Serbian purchased the property in 2019 after signing his lucrative contract extension in 2018.  In late 2021, Jokic also purchased a 12,271-square-foot mansion in Cherry Hills, Colorado for $4.5 million. The property includes a 12-seat home theater, a pool house, a gym, and guest apartments. The Joker has also been building a house across 5 plots of land in his native Sombor, Serbia. After signing in the NBA, Jokic also purchased his first expensive horse. By 2024, he owns over a dozen horses that are competing across Europe through Jokic's stable.
<h2 style="text-align: center"> Nikola Jokic’s Rings</h2>
Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA championship in the 2022-23 season. In a 5 game series against the Miami Heat, the 'Joker' averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists to win his first and only NBA ring. He was also awarded the Finals MVP trophy for his historic performance. Jokic tallied at least a double-double in each of the 5 games and recorded 2 triple-doubles during his first NBA Finals series.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1792644" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/A0620962-731D-4E77-A9CC-B728533341DC.jpeg" alt="" />
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">Nikola Jokic's Car Collection </h2>
Like a lot of popular athletes, Nikola Jokic also owns an impressive car collection. The NBA superstar reportedly has luxury cars such as the Lamborghini Aventador S, Porsche-Mansory Panamera 4S, GMC Yukon Denali, Lamborghini Urus, and the Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63 Brabus 800 SUV. Furthermore, he has also been seen driving a Lamborghini Huracan.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">Nikola Jokic's Social Media Accounts</h2>
Nikola Jokic is not active on any social media.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Full Name</td>
<td>Nikola Jokić</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Popular Name</td>
<td>Nikola Jokić</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Date of Birth</td>
<td>19th February, 1995</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Birth Place</td>
<td>Sombor, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Age</td>
<td>28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Height</td>
<td>6 feet 11 inches</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Weight</td>
<td>284 lb</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Parents</td>
<td>Branislav Jokic (Father)
Nikolina Jokic (Mother)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Siblings</td>
<td>Strahinja Jokic (Brother)
Nemanja Jokic (Brother)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nationality</td>
<td>Serbian</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethnicity</td>
<td>Serbian</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Net Worth</td>
<td>$50 Million</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Salary</td>
<td>$47.6 Million</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Spouse</td>
<td>Natalija Mačešić (Wife)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Relationship/Marital Status</td>
<td>Married</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Children</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Profession</td>
<td>Basketball Player</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Denver Nuggets</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rings</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Here is everything you need to know about Nikola Jokic, his family, career, and the like. How much is the Denver Nuggets star worth?

Nikola Jokic's 2024 Net Worth, Family, House, Cars, and More

Nikola Jokic Archives

Established in 1968, the Phoenix Suns competes in the Western Conference as a member of the Pacific Division. In their overall 56 seasons till now, the Suns have made 32 playoff appearances. The franchise has won three conference titles (1976, 1993, and 2021). However, the team always fell short of having the glorious championship ring. With new investments and the newly formed Big Three, the Suns are one of the strongest contenders in the division.?
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Season</td>
<td>Playoff Appearances</td>
<td>Conference Titles</td>
<td>NBA Championships</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1968-2023</td>
<td>32</td>
<td>3 (1976, 1993, 2021)</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Franchise History and Ownership</h2>
The franchise began as an expansion team. The first few years were mired with mediocrity. Suns finished their first year at 16-66, missing the playoffs. Critics doubted the success of Phoenix as an NBA market, but the franchise grew rapidly in the country. Their trip to the NBA finals finally ended in 1976 against Bill Russell?s<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/boston-celtics/"> Boston Celtics</a>. The Suns pushed the series to six games. In a buzzer-beating shot, the Celtics ultimately won the championship. After coming this close to the finals, the franchise started to rebuild around Walter Davis and also acquired Kevin Johnson in 1988. With Johnson, the Suns reached the playoffs for thirteen consecutive appearances and remained a title contender throughout the 1990s in the Charles Berkley era.?

<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/phoenix-suns/">The Suns</a> made it into the finals again but lost to the<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/chicago-bulls/"> Chicago Bulls</a>. Berkley was named the MVP in the 1992?93 season.?

Rankings got slightly better in the playoff games in the 1990s. But front office unrest and Barkley's strained relationship with Jerry Colangelo led to his trade to Houston which also marked a new era in the franchise. The Suns drafted Steve Nash in 1996, but he initially played a supporting role behind Jason Kidd and Kevin Johnson. The team could only go far in qualifying for the playoffs.?

&nbsp;
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Player</td>
<td>Position</td>
<td>Induction Year</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Charles Barkley</td>
<td>Forward</td>
<td>2006</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gail Goodrich</td>
<td>Guard</td>
<td>1996</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Connie Hawkins</td>
<td>Forward-Center</td>
<td>1992</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Grant Hill</td>
<td>Forward</td>
<td>2018</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dennis Johnson</td>
<td>Guard</td>
<td>2010</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gus Johnson</td>
<td>Forward-Center</td>
<td>2010</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jason Kidd</td>
<td>Guard</td>
<td>2018</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Steve Nash</td>
<td>Guard</td>
<td>20181</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shaquille O?Neal</td>
<td>Center</td>
<td>2016</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Charlie Scott</td>
<td>Guard-Forward</td>
<td>2018</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paul Westphal</td>
<td>Guard-Forward</td>
<td>2019</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;

The Suns had a fantastic 2004-05 season, finishing with the best record in the league and Nash winning the MVP award. In the 2005 playoffs, they made it to the Western Conference finals but lost to the Spurs. The team remained a strong contender. They had a 15-game win streak and a 17-game win streak during the 2006-07 season but again lost in the Conference finals.

In the next season, the franchise finished with a 55-27 record but was eliminated later in the first round.?

&nbsp;

The Suns made the playoffs 10 times during former owner Robert Sarver's 18-year tenure. Ishbia brothers Mat and Justin purchased the majority stakes from Sarver in 2022. The deal is marked as the most expensive in NBA history, at $4 billion. Here is a breakdown of Ownership history, throughout the years.?
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Year</td>
<td>Owner(s)</td>
<td>General Manager</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1968-1972</td>
<td>Richard Bloch and Karl Eller</td>
<td>Jerry Colangelo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1972-1988</td>
<td>Karl Eller</td>
<td>Jerry Colangelo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1988-2004</td>
<td>Jerry Colangelo</td>
<td>Jerry Colangelo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2004-2010</td>
<td>Robert Sarver</td>
<td>Steve Kerr</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2010-2012</td>
<td>Robert Sarver</td>
<td>Lance Blanks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2012-2018</td>
<td>Robert Sarver</td>
<td>Ryan McDonough</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2018-2022</td>
<td>Robert Sarver</td>
<td>James Jones</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2023-Present</td>
<td>Mat Ishbia</td>
<td>James Jones</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Top-paid players and 2023-24 roster</h2>
Phoenix's roster for the 2023-24 season has many new additions, like<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/bradley-beal/"> Bradley Beal</a> and Jusuf Nurki?. The star-studded roster has the new big three in town and includes Booker, Durant, and Beal as three of the 500 players who are averaging at least 22 points per game.?

<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/kevin-durant/">Kevin Durant</a> is not just the highest-paid on the team but also the second-highest-paid this season. His annual salary is $47,649,433.?

Beal is the second richest in the team. He is receiving the max contract worth $251 million that he signed with the Wizards. He is expected to earn more than $150M in his next three seasons. For this season, his base salary is $46,741,590 per year.

<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/devin-booker/">Devin Booker</a> signed a five-year, $158.25 million Supermax contract extension with the Suns in 2018. The contract began in the 2019-20 season, and Booker is currently in the fourth year of the deal. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.?

The newest addition, Nurkic, is a part of the multi-team deal that saw the departure of DeAndre Ayton to the Blazers. Nurkic is in his second-year max a-year extension worth over $70M. His average salary this year would be $17.5 million per year.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Player</td>
<td>Position</td>
<td>Annual Salary</td>
<td>Contract Type</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bradley Beal</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$50,203,930</td>
<td>5 yr $251,019,650 MAX</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Devin Booker</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$55,664,000</td>
<td>4 yr $222,656,000 S-MAX</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kevin Durant</td>
<td>SF</td>
<td>$48,554,830</td>
<td>4 yr $194,219,320 MAX</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jusuf Nurkic</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>$17,500,000</td>
<td>4 yr $70,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nassir Little</td>
<td>SF</td>
<td>$7,000,000</td>
<td>4 yr $28,000,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Grayson Allen</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$9,350,000</td>
<td>2 yr $18,700,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Keon Johnson</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$3,129,323</td>
<td>4 yr $12,517,291</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eric Gordon</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$3,276,360</td>
<td>2 yr $6,552,719</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Josh Okogie</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$2,886,336</td>
<td>2 yr $5,772,671</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Damion Lee</td>
<td>SG</td>
<td>$2,686,788</td>
<td>2 yr $5,373,575</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Keita Bates-Diop</td>
<td>SF</td>
<td>$2,500,629</td>
<td>2 yr $5,001,258</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Yuta Watanabe</td>
<td>SF</td>
<td>$2,500,629</td>
<td>2 yr $5,001,258</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Drew Eubanks</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>$2,500,629</td>
<td>2 yr $5,001,258</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jordan Goodwin</td>
<td>PG</td>
<td>$1,640,080</td>
<td>3 yr $4,920,240</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ishmail Wainright</td>
<td>SF</td>
<td>$1,201374</td>
<td>2 yr $2.402747</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chimezie Metu</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>$2.346614</td>
<td>1 yr $2.346614</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bol Bol Bol</td>
<td>PF</td>
<td>$2.165000</td>
<td>1 year, $2.165000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;

Phoenix Suns

Established in 1968, the Phoenix Suns competes in the Western Conference as a member of the Pacific Division. In their overall 56 seasons till now, the Suns have made 32 playoff appearances. The franchise has won three conference titles (1976, 1993, and 2021). However, the team always fell short of having the glorious championship ring. With new investments and the newly formed Big Three, the Suns are one of the strongest contenders in the division.?  Season Playoff Appearances Conference Titles NBA Championships  1968-2023 32 3 (1976, 1993, 2021) 0  Franchise History and Ownership The franchise began as an expansion team. The first few years were mired with mediocrity. Suns finished their first year at 16-66, missing the playoffs. Critics doubted the success of Phoenix as an NBA market, but the franchise grew rapidly in the country. Their trip to the NBA finals finally ended in 1976 against Bill Russell?s Boston Celtics. The Suns pushed the series to six games. In a buzzer-beating shot, the Celtics ultimately won the championship. After coming this close to the finals, the franchise started to rebuild around Walter Davis and also acquired Kevin Johnson in 1988. With Johnson, the Suns reached the playoffs for thirteen consecutive appearances and remained a title contender throughout the 1990s in the Charles Berkley era.? The Suns made it into the finals again but lost to the Chicago Bulls. Berkley was named the MVP in the 1992?93 season.? Rankings got slightly better in the playoff games in the 1990s. But front office unrest and Barkley&#8217;s strained relationship with Jerry Colangelo led to his trade to Houston which also marked a new era in the franchise. The Suns drafted Steve Nash in 1996, but he initially played a supporting role behind Jason Kidd and Kevin Johnson. The team could only go far in qualifying for the playoffs.? &nbsp;  Player Position Induction Year  Charles Barkley Forward 2006  Gail Goodrich Guard 1996  Connie Hawkins Forward-Center 1992  Grant Hill Forward 2018  Dennis Johnson Guard 2010  Gus Johnson Forward-Center 2010  Jason Kidd Guard 2018  Steve Nash Guard 20181  Shaquille O?Neal Center 2016  Charlie Scott Guard-Forward 2018  Paul Westphal Guard-Forward 2019  &nbsp; The Suns had a fantastic 2004-05 season, finishing with the best record in the league and Nash winning the MVP award. In the 2005 playoffs, they made it to the Western Conference finals but lost to the Spurs. The team remained a strong contender. They had a 15-game win streak and a 17-game win streak during the 2006-07 season but again lost in the Conference finals. In the next season, the franchise finished with a 55-27 record but was eliminated later in the first round.? &nbsp; The Suns made the playoffs 10 times during former owner Robert Sarver&#8217;s 18-year tenure. Ishbia brothers Mat and Justin purchased the majority stakes from Sarver in 2022. The deal is marked as the most expensive in NBA history, at $4 billion. Here is a breakdown of Ownership history, throughout the years.?  Year Owner(s) General Manager  1968-1972 Richard Bloch and Karl Eller Jerry Colangelo  1972-1988 Karl Eller Jerry Colangelo  1988-2004 Jerry Colangelo Jerry Colangelo  2004-2010 Robert Sarver Steve Kerr  2010-2012 Robert Sarver Lance Blanks  2012-2018 Robert Sarver Ryan McDonough  2018-2022 Robert Sarver James Jones  2023-Present Mat Ishbia James Jones  Top-paid players and 2023-24 roster Phoenix&#8217;s roster for the 2023-24 season has many new additions, like Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurki?. The star-studded roster has the new big three in town and includes Booker, Durant, and Beal as three of the 500 players who are averaging at least 22 points per game.? Kevin Durant is not just the highest-paid on the team but also the second-highest-paid this season. His annual salary is $47,649,433.? Beal is the second richest in the team. He is receiving the max contract worth $251 million that he signed with the Wizards. He is expected to earn more than $150M in his next three seasons. For this season, his base salary is $46,741,590 per year. Devin Booker signed a five-year, $158.25 million Supermax contract extension with the Suns in 2018. The contract began in the 2019-20 season, and Booker is currently in the fourth year of the deal. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.? The newest addition, Nurkic, is a part of the multi-team deal that saw the departure of DeAndre Ayton to the Blazers. Nurkic is in his second-year max a-year extension worth over $70M. His average salary this year would be $17.5 million per year.  Player Position Annual Salary Contract Type  Bradley Beal SG $50,203,930 5 yr $251,019,650 MAX  Devin Booker SG $55,664,000 4 yr $222,656,000 S-MAX  Kevin Durant SF $48,554,830 4 yr $194,219,320 MAX  Jusuf Nurkic C $17,500,000 4 yr $70,000,000  Nassir Little SF $7,000,000 4 yr $28,000,000  Grayson Allen SG $9,350,000 2 yr $18,700,000  Keon Johnson SG $3,129,323 4 yr $12,517,291  Eric Gordon SG $3,276,360 2 yr $6,552,719  Josh Okogie SG $2,886,336 2 yr $5,772,671  Damion Lee SG $2,686,788 2 yr $5,373,575  Keita Bates-Diop SF $2,500,629 2 yr $5,001,258  Yuta Watanabe SF $2,500,629 2 yr $5,001,258  Drew Eubanks C $2,500,629 2 yr $5,001,258  Jordan Goodwin PG $1,640,080 3 yr $4,920,240  Ishmail Wainright SF $1,201374 2 yr $2.402747  Chimezie Metu C $2.346614 1 yr $2.346614  Bol Bol Bol PF $2.165000 1 year, $2.165000  &nbsp;

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