The Suns are set on exploring the possibility of going after Michael Finley on the free agent market, a league source said Tuesday. The Mavericks bought out Finley for $51 million as a way to avoid paying the NBA's luxury tax. A number of teams with expensive contracts are doing the same thing because of a provision in the new collective bargaining agreement.
The Suns could use a shooter now that Quentin Richardson is going to New York for center-forward Kurt Thomas.
The Suns drafted Finley in 1995. He left in December, 1996 as part of the big trade that brought Jason Kidd from Dallas to the Suns.
Via East Valley Tribune
Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks
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Jun 29, 2005 12:23 AM EST
The Phoenix Suns solidified their frontline by acquiring 10-year NBA veteran Kurt Thomas from the New York Knicks today in exchange for swingman Quentin Richardson and the draft rights to Nate Robinson, the 21st pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. The Knicks also traded to Phoenix the draft rights to guard/forward Dijon Thompson, the 54th pick.
Last season Thomas averaged 11.5 points, a career-high 10.4 rebounds (T-6th in the NBA), 2.0 assists and shot .471 from the floor in 35.7 minutes. He joined Suns All-Stars Steve Nash and Shawn Marion as one of only nine NBA players who averaged a double-double (and qualified among the league leaders). The 6-9, 235-pound forward/center was tied for third in the NBA with 661 total defensive rebounds, trailing only Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett and Marion, and his 32 double-doubles ranked 12th in the league.
Thomas, originally selected by the Miami Heat with the 10th pick in the 1995 NBA Draft, owns career averages of 10.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 627 games (463 starts) with three teams (Miami, Dallas, New York). He averaged double figures in points in each of the last five seasons, including a career-high 14.0 scoring average in 2002-03, and has ranked in the top 20 in rebounding in each of the last four seasons. The 32-year-old has improved with age, averaging 12.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 400 games over the last five seasons after averaging 8.2 points and 6.0 rebounds in 227 games in his first five seasons.
A member of the Knicks’ 1999 Eastern Conference Championship team, Thomas averaged 13.7 points and 11.3 rebounds on .479 shooting over his last two postseasons in nine games (2001, 2004) and averaged 6.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 48 career playoff games with Miami and New York.
Via Suns Press Release
New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns
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The Suns’ proposed trade of Quentin Richardson and a first-round draft pick to New York for Kurt Thomas "is losing steam," an NBA source said Monday night.
The trade is believed to be in trouble because of questions about the insurability of Richardson's contract. Richardson struggled with back problems at times when he played for the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Suns offered Richardson a six-year deal worth $43.5 million last summer, a deal the Clippers declined to match.
Under the proposed terms of the trade, the Suns also would send the Knicks a first-round pick as early as next year.
They would get Thomas, who can play both center and forward. With the Suns, he could either start at center or back up at both positions.
Thomas, who turns 33 in October, averaged a double-double for the first time this season: 11.5 points and 10.4 rebounds.
He has three years and about $22 million left on his contract.
Via Arizona Tribune
Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks
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Suns Jun 2005 Archive
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NY Post | Jun 27, 2005
After a Friday review of the insurance documents connected to Quentin Richardson's $48 million contract, the Knicks have discovered they are not insured if he sustains a career-ending, back-related injury, The Post has learned from a Western Conference source.
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East Valley Tribune | Jun 25, 2005
Gary Payton listed the Suns among his three favorite options in this year’s free agent market, along with Sacramento and returning to Boston.
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New York Times | Jun 25, 2005
If the Suns do not produce insurance papers pertaining to Richardson's back, the deal will not go through.
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ESPN | Jun 24, 2005
LeBron James would like to have some input on which players the Cavaliers go after in this summer’s free agency market set to begin next week.
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AZCentral | Jun 24, 2005
Salim Stoudamire, cousin of Portland’s Damon Stoudamire thinks the Suns high-octane can make good use of his shooting skills.
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Akron Beacon Journal | Jun 24, 2005
Now that the San Antonio Spurs' season has drawn to a close, Danny Ferry is expected to give Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert an answer today on whether he'll become the team's next general manager writes Brian Windhorst of the Akron Beacon Journal.
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NY Post | Jun 24, 2005
As first reported by RealGM.com, the Knicks and Suns agreed to their second trade in 17 months with Kurt Thomas being shipped to Phoenix for Quentin Richardson and a protected, future first-round pick.
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New York Times | Jun 24, 2005
"I just know there's a deal on the table," Kurt Thomas said by cellphone from Dallas. "I can't comment on anything until it's official. And it's not official yet."
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RealGM | Jun 23, 2005
Quentin Richardson will be dealt to the Knicks in exchange for Kurt Thomas. This deal is pending league approval and should be announced following Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
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DraftExpress.com | Jun 20, 2005
According to DraftExpress.
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AZCentral | Jun 18, 2005
According to Steven Hunter’s agent, Marc Bartelstein, the center plans to pass on his $745,000 option to return to the Phoenix Suns.
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AZCentral | Jun 18, 2005
After reports that the job was his, Suns assistant Marc Iavaroni is denying that Blazers general manager John Nash ever offered him the head coaching spot.
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ESPN | Jun 17, 2005
The Pac-10 player of the year Ike Diogu will wait until just before the next week’s deadline to decide whether to make himself available to the draft.
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The Oregonian | Jun 17, 2005
Portland GM John Nash has said that the head coaching job is still open, however, sources close to the team say Phoenix assistant Marc Iavaroni will accept the job on Friday.
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D. Hunter Johnson/RealGM | Jun 17, 2005
He was virtually unstoppable all throughout the season and the playoffs.
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Daily Republic | Jun 16, 2005
Rex Chapman, a former teammate of Steve Nash and partly responsible for bringing the MVP back to Phoenix has resigned his position in the Suns' front office.
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RealGM | Jun 15, 2005
With the Suns set to sign both Amare Stoudemire and Joe Johnson to long-term contracts, general manager Bryan Colangelo may be forced to move Shawn Marion.
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East Valley Tribune | Jun 2, 2005
Besides trying to match a Joe Johnson contract that may be too large, it is almost set in stone that the Phoenix Suns will sign the NBA’s most athletic young big man, Amare Stoudemire to a maximum six-year contract extension.
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East Valley Tribune | Jun 2, 2005
After an amazing season put on by an amazing Suns team that saw Joe Johnson finish second in the league in 3-point shooting, the Suns all-around player says would be happy to stay in Phoenix…But…
Joe Johnson, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, said he’d like to return to the Suns.
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East Valley Tribune | Jun 2, 2005
Joe Johnson, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, said he’d like to return to the Suns.
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ESPN | Jun 2, 2005
The monster that is named Amare Stoudemire had 40 points and 16 rebounds in Game 5, but the Spurs picked up a 101-95 victory and a series win.
