Phoenix Sun Tickets

Nash staying put

steve — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 10:55:46 +0000

The NBA Draft came and went, and despite rumors circling around the league, Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash stayed put.

A number of teams were interested in acquiring Nash, but it seemed like there was some kind of holdup in each situation.

The teams that had the draft picks and players to swing such a deal were scared off by the fact that Nash only has one year on his contract remaining and would likely leave for a contender.

The contending teams that were interested in Nash simply didn’t have the draft picks and players necessary to complete a deal for an All-Star point guard.

Nash will likely play out the entire season in Phoenix and then try to join a team like the New York Knicks and be the missing piece that carries them to an NBA title.

Suns acquire Brooks, deal Dragic

steve — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 21:10:32 +0000

The Phoenix Suns have acquired point guard Aaron Brooks in a trade with the Houston Rockets.

The Suns are trying to find some pieces to put them over the top and assure them of a playoff berth in the Western Conference.

Brooks won’t start because of Steve Nash, but be his primary backup. It will give the Suns one of the best backup points guard in the entire league.

In other ways, this could be seen as a cost-cutting move for the Suns because Brooks will be a free agent after the season and is unlikely to be un-signed.

The move is a bit surprising because Dragic had shown signs of being a very good point guard behind Nash and Brooks might not even be a major upgrade.

Suns hand Hawks first loss of season

bud — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 01:39:39 +0000

By Bud L. Ellis

Sunday, the Phoenix Suns found a way to do something that hadn’t happened so far in the first week and a half of the NBA season:

Beat the Atlanta Hawks.

It wasn’t easy, as an 11-point Phoenix lead evaporated down the stretch. But the Suns hit their free throws in the final minute, downing the previously unbeaten Hawks 118-114 in Atlanta.

Phoenix, now 3-3 on the season, came into the game after a grueling double-overtime victory Friday at Memphis. But the Suns had their legs under them against the Hawks, shooting 55.6 percent.

Jason Richardson paced the Suns with 21 points, sparking an offense that featured six players in double figures. Steve Nash scored 19, including some big free throws down the stretch. Jared Dudley came off the bench with 15 points.

Phoenix now experiences an oddity of the schedule, traveling back to Memphis for another game against the Grizzlies on Monday.

—30—

Kerr leaving Suns

steve — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:31:59 +0000

Phoenix Suns general manager Steve Kerr is stepping down from his post with the organization.

Owner Robert Sarver asked Kerr to take a 10 percent pay cut, something he wasn’t willing to do.

Sarver has long been known as a thrifty spender, making him public enemey No. 1 in the Phoenix area.

Despite the team’s success in recent years, some feel the Suns could have gone farther if Sarver was more willing to open up his checkbook.

Kerr was also angry that Sarver was unwilling to give out raises to coaches and scouts with the team.

Cavs, Heat in Race for Stoudemire

bryan — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:21:00 +0000

At this point, just 48 hours away from the NBA’s trade deadline, it appears all but certain that All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire will be suiting up for a different team come Friday, as the Suns continue to field offers from teams.

This past Friday, during All-Star Weekend, executives for the Suns and Cavs met to discuss a Stoudemire trade, which would speculatively involve sending J.J. Hickson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ expiring contract, and likely Cleveland’s first-round draft pick, in exchange for the All-Star Stoudemire. (The Cavs are hoping that whichever team they trade Ilgauskas to, that team will waive Big Z for cap relief, allowing him to return to Cleveland in 30 days.)

While Cleveland was reportedly shopping for a “stretch 4” (someone who can knock down long-range jumpers and three-pointers consistently) such as Troy Murphy or Antawn Jamison, they’d be hard pressed to turn down an All-Star starter for a second-year player.

The Heat, in the meantime, have reportedly turned up their offers for Amar’e after hearing that the Cavs and Suns were nearing a deal. Much like the Cavs are desperate for incentives for LeBron James to stay with them past this season, the Heat are looking to land a star alongside Dwyane Wade to convince him to stay in Miami.

The Heat drafted Michael Beasley last year after he absolutely dominated the NCAA for a year, but Beasley’s pro prospects haven’t been nearly as hot yet. Reportedly, the Heat are willing to move him, along with one or both of their first round draft picks in a deal for Stoudemire.

Stoudemire considering Suns deal

steve — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:02:49 +0000

Phoenix Suns center Amare Stoudemire appears to be having second thoughts on free agency and could stick with the team.

Stoudemire, who was planning on opting out of his contract with one-year remaining, could be changing his mind.

The big man could decide to stay and take the $17.7 million he would be owed by the Suns next year.

He said that it would be more likely that he would stay if he becomes confident that he gets an extension from the Suns.

The Suns have been looking to trade Stoudemire for fear that he will leave this summer and they will get nothing in return.

Suns seek trade offers for Stoudemire

steve — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:30:01 +0000

The Phoenix Suns are seeking out teams interested in trading for All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire.

The team recently spoke to Stoudemire’s agent and got the impression that his client was really not interested in discussing a contract extension.

If the Suns are going to lose Stoudemire to free agency, they might as well trade him now and get something substantial for him.

Several teams have expressed an interest in acquiring Stoudemire, including the New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors.

The Suns would like to gain cap relief, get a young star and some draft picks for Stoudemire, but teams are worried that they will trade for him and then be unable to sign him to a contract extension.

Suns get bullied in loss to Jazz

Raj Sethi — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:01:03 +0000

Even a 45-point quarter couldn’t help the Phoenix Suns avoid another loss on the road.

Despite shooting 17 of 30 from beyond the arc, the Suns fell to the Utah Jazz 124-115 on Monday night, getting outscored 33-19 in the final stanza. Jazz forward Carlos Boozer embarrassed the Suns front line, going off for 21 points and 20 rebounds, and the Jazz held a 17-6 rebounding advantage in the fourth quarter and 48-31 for the game.

Steve Nash reached a milestone in the loss, becoming just the eighth player in NBA history to record 8,000 assists. He finished with 15 points and 15 assists in the game.

Backup guard Goran Dragic was the other bright spot for Phoenix. The second-year player scored a career-high 32 points off the bench, including six 3-pointers.