Phoenix could be exploring possibility of draft-day moves
If the Suns were committed to keeping their two late first-round draft picks later this month, Georgia Tech guard Javaris Crittenton’s visit to US Airways Center would have been a waste of time.
The smooth, 6-foot-5 point guard, who is leaving college after only one season with the Yellow Jackets, is rated no worse than a mid-first-round pick and could be a lottery pick if his stock continues to rise over the next few weeks. If Javaris Crittenton fell to No. 24, the first Phoenix pick, both he and the Suns would be stunned.
“But people make trades all the time. It happens every year,” Javaris Crittenton said after his workout and a closed-door huddle with the Phoenix brass. “You don’t want to cancel anyone out or burn bridges with any team, especially the Suns.
“This style is awesome; they are the NBA team I watch more than any other. To be on the same team with Steve Nash operating in the open floor … If something were to work out, it would be like a dream.”
Phoenix certainly doesn’t intend to stand pat. Chances are at least one and possibly several moves will take place before Javaris Crittenton finds out where he’s going on June 28.
The most recent rumors have Shawn Marion front and center. But even though the Suns are headed toward eclipsing the luxury tax, Marion can opt out of his contract after this season and the chances of Phoenix inking him to a lucrative extension are slim, parting with one of the team’s three All-Stars isn’t high on the current list of scenarios.
The Phoenix braintrust returned from a weekend fishing retreat in Montana convinced that, with a few minor tweaks, they can compete with and overcome San Antonio. That leans toward the current nucleus returning intact, and toward dealing some mid-range contracts (Kurt Thomas, Marcus Banks), perhaps in concert with draft picks to both save money and move up into the draft — closer to a player of Javaris Crittenton’s ilk.
Forgotten much of the season, Thomas got a lot of playing time against the Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals and played well. But there is a feeling inside the organization that the move gave into San Antonio’s style, rather than forcing the Spurs to match up with the Suns.
If Thomas ($8 million next season) is moved, Phoenix would need another big man, likely fitting the bill of an athletic, shot-blocking post.
“The goal at the end of the day and at the end of the summer is to get better,” Suns owner Robert Sarver said. “Money is a factor, but not as big a factor as winning. I can’t think of a situation where I didn’t follow the recommendation of our basketball people. I feel good about the plans we have.”
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