Josh Okogie appreciation post

Thank you, Mr. Call Me Non Stop.

Whenever a trade goes down in the NBA, it’s tough. On everyone. Sure, the players bear the brunt of it; their lives get flipped upside down in an instant. Who really wants to pack up and move to Charlotte in the dead of winter? (No offense to the lovely folks in Crown Town!) For the Phoenix Suns, bringing in Nick Richards helps address their glaring need for interior support, but it also means saying goodbye to a player who left it all on the court for them.

Josh Okogie joined the Suns at the start of the 2022–23 season after spending four years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who drafted him 20th overall in 2018. From the jump, he brought exactly what Phoenix needed: energy, hustle, and a knack for disrupting opponents.

While his shooting struggles followed him — he arrived as a career 27.5% three-point shooter — Okogie made up for it with relentless effort and defensive tenacity, earning his place in the hearts of Suns fans.

Josh Okogie leaves Phoenix a better, more well-rounded player than when he arrived. His time with the Suns saw him improve his shooting, boosting his three-point percentage to 29.8% (he shot 33.3% while in the Valley). He posted a career-high 3.5 rebounds per game while in Phoenix, and despite playing less minutes than he did in Minny, averaged nearly the same amount of points.

But stats only tell part of the story. Okogie’s impact was most evident during early 2023, when injuries to Devin Booker left a gaping hole in the rotation. In that stretch, he stepped up big time, proving he was more than just an energy guy. He was a competitor.

His career-high performance came in December 2022, when he erupted for 28 points off the bench against the Boston Celtics, knocking down four of six shots from deep and making it clear that he could shine when called upon. It was a glimpse of just how hard Okogie worked to improve and adapt his game.

Josh “Non-Stop” Okogie did exactly what was needed during his time in the Valley. He hustled, he disrupted, and he gave everything he had to this team. His relentless motor and infectious energy will absolutely be missed. Best of luck in Charlotte, Mr. Call Me Non-Stop. And honestly? I’m relieved the Suns don’t have to face you this season, because if you got minutes, your hustle would definitely cause us problems.