Nigerian NBA star Josh Okogie signs a ₦26 billion naira deal to stay with Phoenix Suns until 2026.
Josh Okogie, an NBA talent from Nigeria, will play for the Phoenix Suns again this season.
![Josh Okogie: Nigerian NBA star reflects on 6th year with the Phoenix Suns](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/15052024/53491aa8-aec2-4813-bbbd-9c7018d59e5d.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
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Josh Okogie: Nigerian NBA star reflects on 6th year with the Phoenix Suns
Nigerian NBA star Josh Okogie reflects on 6th year with the Phoenix Suns.
As an unrestricted free agent, Okogie and the team agreed on a two-year contract worth $16 million on Thursday approximately 26 billion naira, according to sources.
![Josh Okogie shines as Durant's explosion leads Nets to victory against Suns](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/01022024/70638a88-1927-40a1-92d4-e22ccb8c1a7d.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
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Impact of Josh Okogie's signing
After his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Okogie will remain in the Valley for a third year according to this agreement.
![Nigerian NBA star Josh Okogie signs a ₦26 billion naira deal to stay with Phoenix Suns until 2026.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/30112023/346a0774-c2a9-49eb-a37f-8b9bc71621f5.png?operations=fit(480:))
The Suns have the highest NBA payroll for 2024–25 thanks to the addition of Okogie. Before the contract, the team's projected payroll for the following season was slightly over $220 million.
That is a lot higher than the second luxury tax cap in the league, which is scheduled to be $188.9 million for the upcoming season.
According to numerous estimates, the tax on top of the salaries is anticipated to total approximately $200 million more for the season.
![Nigerian NBA star Josh Okogie signs a ₦26 billion naira deal to stay with Phoenix Suns until 2026.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/19062023/34b1f3ce-c22d-4d0e-a9ff-ef7c963e0342.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Since purchasing the Suns in February 2023, Mat Ishbia, the team's owner, has demonstrated a willingness to spend money on player salaries.
The second year of Okogie's new deal has an unguaranteed compensation structure.
On June 28, he turned down his $2.95 million player option, allowing him to enter free agency.
![Nigerian NBA star Josh Okogie signs a ₦26 billion naira deal to stay with Phoenix Suns until 2026.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/01042023/3cc9d0b8-f17e-4d1a-8761-8c5e0a29b2d8.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Damion Lee, Okogie's backup two-guard, rejoins the squad after opting out on July 3.
He took to social media to celebrate his signing with a message that said, "I said we not done yet!!."
This is Okogie's seventh NBA season as a 6-foot-4 player. Over the last two seasons, he has averaged 6.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 40% shooting in 17.5 minutes per game.
![Nigerian NBA star Josh Okogie signs a ₦26 billion naira deal to stay with Phoenix Suns until 2026.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/04032023/8511d635-4b1d-4267-b83f-922c4a22c81c.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Okogie who is 25, moved to a starting position in 26 of his 72 games during his first season with the Suns, and as a result, his numbers and minutes decreased in the 2023–24 campaign.
By the end of March of the previous season, Okogie was no longer in the starting lineup, and he only contributed 29 minutes in all to Minnesota's 3-1 victory over Phoenix in the Western Conference playoffs' first round.
![Nigerian NBA star Josh Okogie signs a ₦26 billion naira deal to stay with Phoenix Suns until 2026.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/26042023/e35545d9-7be8-435b-b4d6-cc2959415541.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Okogie was still a target for the Suns despite his patchy play and difficulties from beyond the area.
Okogie's skills include his ability to defend the point of attack, his quickness when driving in half-court sets and in open court, his power in traffic to grab rebounds and prolong possessions, and his leaping ability.
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