Oso Ighodaro agreed to a three-year, $29 million contract extension with the Phoenix Suns. The deal, announced Sunday, comes as the team faces an extended absence from starting center Mark Williams due to shoulder surgery.
The extension runs from the 2028-29 season through 2030-31. The Suns acquired Ighodaro from the Trail Blazers on draft night in 2024 as the No. 40 overall pick, and he has become a rotation staple in his second season.
Extension Terms
Ighodaro makes $2.2 million this season and will have his team option for 2027-28 worth $2.4 million picked up by the Suns. The new three-year, $29 million extension then begins in 2028-29.
Ighodaro’s agent, Erika Ruiz of Primera Sports, negotiated the deal, per ESPN.
What It Means For Phoenix’s Frontcourt
The timing aligns with a significant injury to the Suns’ frontcourt. Starting center Mark Williams is set to miss multiple months after left shoulder surgery.
With Williams sidelined, the Suns will lean heavily on Ighodaro and second-year big man Khaman Maluach to fill the void at center, according to ESPN. Locking in Ighodaro’s long-term salary now gives Phoenix cost certainty at the position heading into a stretch where he figures to see expanded playing time.
Ighodaro’s Development And Numbers
Ighodaro, 24, played at Marquette before entering the NBA. He logged 17 minutes per game as a rookie before his role grew significantly last season. In 2025-26, he started 24 games and averaged 6.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 22 minutes per game, according to ESPN. He appeared in all 82 games that season and added 2.3 assists per game.
NBA.com described Ighodaro as a reliable backup center and a notable find for a team that landed him in the second round. His steady statistical growth from his rookie year to his sophomore season, both in minutes and production, aligns with the Suns’ decision to commit to him beyond his rookie contract.
What’s Next
The extension does not take effect until 2028-29, meaning Ighodaro continues on his rookie-scale deal through 2027-28. In the near term, his role will expand while Williams recovers from shoulder surgery.
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