According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Phoenix Suns have decided to send forward David Roddy to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for E.J. Liddell.
On July 6, Liddell was traded by the Hawks to the Pelicans in exchange for Dejounte Murray.
In 2022, Liddell was selected 41st overall by New Orleans.
At first glance, the Suns’ trade exchanges large forwards for smaller players at the bottom of the roster, which will save even more money in taxes. Roddy’s 2024–2025 salary was projected to be $2.8 million, with a $4.8 million club option for 2025–2026.
Liddell’s salary for the upcoming season is set at $2.1 million, with a $2.3 million club option for the following year.
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound scorer played well in college at Ohio State and has already made eight appearances in NBA games for the Pelicans.
As a junior with the Buckeyes in 2021–22, he had a tremendous season, averaging 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.6 blocks, and 49% shooting overall. He also improved that year, shooting 37.4% from beyond the arc.
In addition to setting him back, an ACL injury sustained in July 2022 has not helped him much in the pros. During the previous season, Liddell averaged 17.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while playing for the Birmingham Stallions of the G League.
Taking 4.4 shots per game, he shot 27% from outside the arc and 50.4% from the field.
Roddy’s 17 games in Phoenix may provide insight about Liddell’s position in the lineup, which is behind a perimeter-oriented group that stars players like Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant. Though Liddell’s height and rebounding ability combined with a little pop for scoring gave Phoenix another unusual forward option, veterans Royce O’Neale, Josh Okogie, Bol Bol, and Nassir Little, along with rookie Ryan Dunn, would also take up minutes at forward.
In February of last year, Phoenix acquired Roddy from the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the three-team O’Neale transaction.
Throughout 135 NBA games, he has averaged 6.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. He looked to be competing for a spot on the Suns Summer League roster this offseason, despite only being 23.