Nash extension close while Amare needs to prove his health

by Seth Pollack on Jul 15, 2009 2:21 AM MDT in Phoenix Suns News

While I'm up here in Vegas toiling away watching the likes of Anthony Randolph (42 points) and Blake Griffin (16 pts/9 reb / a lot of stud) the real action is back in Phoenix. Go figure.

Steve Kerr was back in Phoenix to roll out Channing Frye as the newest Sun fan favorite (this team is going to have a lot of fan favorites next season). In he process, he dropped a couple of very important nuggets regarding the team's two main guys, Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire. He also talked about the 13th roster spot.

On Nash ...

Kerr confirmed what we've been hearing for a week or so that he will be meeting with Nash's agent in Vegas this week to finalize the terms of a two-year extension rumored to be at about $10m per year. Kerr wasn't ready to celebrate yet, but he sounds pretty confident a deal will be done. He reported that Nash is pleased with the moves the team has made this summer, including the addition of Frye and retention of Hill. One would assume he's also pleased with the departure of you-know-who.

On Amare ...

As had been reported earlier in the day, Kerr explained that the Suns want to see Amare play before discussing an extension. They have no deadline or timeline for the extension, but fully understand Amare's desire to use the leverage of his opt out at the end of this season. There are many teams that are going to have considerable cap space and Amare could get more money on the open market than the Suns are willing to offer.

We can speculate that Kerr and Amare's agent tossed around some numbers and came to the conclusion that Amare isn't going to get the max deal he wants until he shows himself to be fully recovered from a very serious eye injury. Kerr added that the prognosis on Amare and his latest eye surgery is good and fully expects a very motivated Amare this season.

It is looking highly likely that we will go into yet another year of Amare uncertainty and there is little doubt that we will be hearing a lot more Amare trade rumors before all is said and done. Assuming Amare is fully recovered physically, he's also going to need to show an increased commitment on defense and rebounding before any kind of max deal is in order.

On the 13th roster spot ...

Kerr said today that Sasha Pavlovic will not be part of the Suns future and while there is a small chance he could be traded, he will most likely be waived. The Suns aren't in any hurry, though, as there are no pressing deadlines to make a decision, but Kerr did say he wouldn't leave Sasha "hanging."

Some other options for the 13th spot include a 3rd point guard, although Barbosa can fill that role. They could also look at another big man or perhaps "wait for things to develop" and "take the best player available" which could be second round pick Taylor Griffin.

Earlier today, Gambo reported on the radio (and tweet) that the Suns still have interest in Chris Wilcox, but only if he would take the veterans minimum. He would be a steal at that price. Wilcox is a 6'10" physical specimen who's averaged a disappointing 9 points and 5 rebounds per game in his 7-year career. You might recall that Wilcox was taken one pick (8th) before Amare in the 2002 draft by the Clippers.

Speaking of Twitter, Kerr was asked if he was going to tweet. He joked that he had "better start so I can find out what's going on with our team." He was making reference to the events of the past week:

1) Amare breaking the news about his eye surgery

2) Nash congratulating Grant HIll & Channing Frye on their deals prior to the Suns announcing them

The following Suns players have Twitter accounts:

And, of course, I am approaching my one-year anniversary on twitter @phoenixstan . If you aren't on board yet ... it's time.

Here's some audio clips from Kerr today provided by Sports 620 KTAR

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Comments

It sort of occurred to me yesterday after I read the stories about Stoudemire’s health that maybe Kerr has not done so bad of a job in his tenure as I initially thought. I was all for the Shaq trade, so I won’t get into that. However, since he’s come to the realization that we’re not a championship team, he has done a pretty good job of make our team much younger and still pretty competitive. For the first time in half a decade, we have a reliable bench with solid, young role players (Dudley, Amundson, Dragic, Lopez) — our rotation is basically 9 or 10 men deep, which is unheard of for the Suns. He’s got a few young players who COULD be pretty good (I really stress the “could” part) in Earl Clark, Channing Frye, and Robin Lopez. And, assuming the latest articles are accurate and Kerr really is looking to extend Amare, provided he’s healthy, still have the superstar power a team looking to contend needs.

There are still some glaring needs: a real point guard going forward (the Suns have always been a point-guard oriented team, so it’s gonna be tough to continue that tradition once Nash leaves) and probably one more “impact” player who can regularly be counted on for 15 to 20 points a night. Barbosa could already be that guy, but not sure if I like him better as “that guy” or as a spark-off-the-bench sixth man.

But anyway, outside of Nash and Hill, the Suns are actually a pretty young team now. Kerr made it clear that those guys are around to tutor the young’ns, and you really couldn’t have two better tutors in the NBA.

Do I have faith in Kerr? Am I losing my mind? I dunno, but suddenly I realized, after months of saying “Just rebuild the damn team already!”, that Kerr may have gotten further along in the rebuild than I thought, while keeping the team looking playoff worthy. The most important step of rebuilding is still to come, in obtaining that franchise player, but we potentially already have one in Stoudemire.

I feel like I’m going 180 in my views here, but I’m starting to think that maybe I was underestimating Kerr.

by jburning on Jul 15, 2009 8:21 AM MDT reply actions

My main source of angst ...

was that I felt Kerr/Sarver didn’t have a plan, but now the plan is starting to make sense to me. But who knows … still lots of time to mess it up.

by jburning on Jul 15, 2009 8:23 AM MDT up reply actions

I think most fans have had the same issue.

What was the plan over the past 2 years. I do not think Karver knew. At least now they have made a choice and are trying to move towards. If that choice is right or wrong who knows. I do feel that they made the logical one.

by Gorilla Game on Jul 15, 2009 3:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Rebuild

It’s nice to see the team rebuild with young players while remaining competitive. I do like the bench Kerr has ssembled. However, I think extending Nash and possibly extending Stoudemire to a max deal is only prolonging the inevitible. Had the Warriors not backed out of the trade for Stoudemire on draft night, I would be happy because of the talent we would have received in return. Amare just seems to me like too much of a diva. At times he can just dominate a game and then disappear for others. I just hope he can remain on the floor for an entire season. Giving him a max deal would be very risky.

The West is stacked with talent and all of the upper echelon teams are stockpiling players for the next few years. I still think the Suns are an 8 seed at best if they even make the playoffs. They are not better than the Lakers, Spurs, Nuggets, Jazz, Rockets, Mavericks, Hornets, or Trailblazers as of right now. That leaves them competing with the Warriors and other teams vastly improving like the Grizzlies and Thunder to try and take down one of the top 8 teams for a playoff spot. The only weak link I see above is the Rockets with Artest gone and Yao’s status unknown and McGrady always injured. I still think, as much as I despise the Lakers, they rule the West for the next few years. Along with the Lakers, the Spurs, Nuggets, and Mavericks are my top four teams going into next year.

I think Kerr is an intelligent person and a competent gm. He just needs time on the job. Sarver is the one I’m nervous about. Everything was great a few years back when he purchased the team and the market was great. Now that the market has tanked, and he is part of the banking and real estate sector, how long will he be able to run the Suns? Its obvious he’s trying to dump money in order to not have to pay the luxury tax. I just hope he doesn’t turn into the heir apparent to Donald Sterling and turn the Suns into the laughing stock of the NBA. Until then we’ll just have to wait and see.

Badgers! Badgers! We don't need no stinkin badgers!

by haas on Jul 15, 2009 4:16 PM MDT up reply actions

not better than...

the rockets, jazz, or hornets? are you out of your mind?

i might say the jazz would be better than the suns, if they make correct choices this offseason and build their team accordingly. they were a joke in last year’s playoffs, and didn’t deserve to be there, in my opinion.

the rockets lost yao, and with mcgrady out (probably) again, where’s their firepower?

the hornets are going to finish 9th or 10th next year. i see them failing terribly.

by Trevor Paxton on Jul 15, 2009 6:50 PM MDT up reply actions

what I meant to say

is that, of the 8 teams that finished above them this past season, the Rockets are much weaker than they were this past year, especially with Yao out; Artest gone; and, McGrady injury prone. However, I disagree with you that the Hornets and Jazz are worse than the Suns. With the Jazz, it depends on what they do with Boozer. If he stays, than they should make the playoffs. The Suns can never guard Deron Williams and, like Nash, he decides the fortunes of that team. Boozer gives them size in the front-court. The Hornets are always a thorn in the sides of the Suns. Again, I’m sensing a theme here, Chris Paul is unguardable and I think their team is better right now.

I still think the Suns are an 8 seed at best. I do agree with you that the Jazz and Hornets flopped in the playoffs. I still can’t believe the Rockets went as far as they did. I hope we can make it to a 6 or 7 seed because, other than the Lakers, the top teams are not That superior to the playoff teams seeded 5-7. It will probably mirror this past years standings where the bottom 7 teams were within a few games of each other.

Badgers! Badgers! We don't need no stinkin badgers!

by haas on Jul 15, 2009 11:35 PM MDT up reply actions

I totally agree...

Looks like we have a team this season that can be competitive and possibly make the playoffs. I was concerned a few weeks ago that the team management was going to scrap the team and start the rebuilding process. I’m really glad we signed Hill, and looks like Stoudamire and Nash will be here this season. Like you were saying, we have a good mix of veterans, and a bunch of young guys with potential. And, if Stoudamire is healthy, we have a power superstar to make this an exciting team. Add Barbosa off the bench, and Richardson who can put up points also, and who knows. Anything is possible!

Geo

by Galvara1022 on Jul 15, 2009 11:46 AM MDT reply actions

Also, there’s rumblings that the Suns may soon sign Von Wafer, who’s a great pickup, provided the Suns ditch Jason Richardson.

by jburning on Jul 15, 2009 11:52 AM MDT reply actions

Von Wafer

I don’t see it happening without dumping another salary and there’s no hint of that.

Wafer isn’t going to take the minimum to come here and be another scorer off the bench.

It sounds like something his camp might be spreading the get some interest in him going

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Jul 15, 2009 12:02 PM MDT reply actions

Definitely could be ...

Unless the Suns also have something in the works for JRich, but who knows. Just something I’ve been reading here and there …

by jburning on Jul 15, 2009 12:08 PM MDT up reply actions

Max Amare

Sure he has to be healthy but the Suns need to acknowledge that Amare is a top-of-the-line player who deserves a maximum contract extension. Steve Kerr & His Crew need to put a lid on the back-stabbing, sniping, undermining that they engaged in last year regarding Amare.
We shouldn’t go through another year of disrespectful treatment targeting a key Suns player. Remember Amare is an All-Star player who has played for Phoenix his entire career. He has been loyal to us and he deserves RESPECT. This guy is hitting his stride and he can be a Hall-of-Famer. We need him and we have to show Amare that we want him !!
Looking toward the upcoming season,I think we have a pretty good line-up and a #6 spot is within our grasp but let’s work on getting a center. Either that or we have to plug Channing Frye into that slot.

by fedres on Jul 15, 2009 9:43 PM MDT reply actions