Suns Close To Signing Padgett

After acquiring Kurt Thomas from the Knicks, the Phoenix Suns are looking to further add size and depth to their frontcourt. The Phoenix Suns are apparently set to sign unrestricted free agent forward Scott Padgett to a multi-year deal when contracts can be officially tendered next week.

The Suns can’t comment on any player transactions involving free agents until August 1st, but the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Padgett told Houston television station KRIV Thursday night that he is headed to Phoenix and is looking forward to playing with reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash.

A good shooter with good 3-point range for a big man, the 29-year-old Padgett just finished his sixth NBA season and second with the Rockets, averaging 4.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in about 14 minutes of playing time. He started four times in Houston’s loss to Dallas in the opening round of this year’s Western Conference playoffs, averaging 3.6 points.

Amare played too many minutes for the Suns last year in frontcourt that lacked depth. The Suns hope that Padgett can add some nice inside-outside skills to their team. He'll be a Restricted Free Agent in a 2007, where he can receive a Qualifying Offer, so the Suns continuously look to maintain a competitive team reflective of last year's spectacular Western Conference run, hoping Amare wouldn't jump ship.

Via East Valley Tribune

Phoenix Suns, Contract Signing

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Pacers Could Lose Dale Davis To Money-Crunching

"If the money's not there, Dale will be playing somewhere else next season," said Davis' agent Chubby Wells.

The Indiana Pacers' recent three-year, $12 million verbal agreement with 29-year-old PG Sarunas Jasikevicius might end their chances of re-signing free agent Dale Davis. But, don't take that as a sign that the Pacers aren't interested, but they realize they may not be able to afford him. With just two small salary exceptions--the midlevel exception, part of which will go to Jasikevicius, and a $1.6 million exception--this might not be enough to retain Davis.

Davis, 36, was a key performer in the Pacers' playoff run last season. But his potential loss could be felt more in the locker room than on the court because of the progress of Sophomore Center David Harrison, who impressed the Pacers during summer league play. Harrison would do well learning from one of the games better current Big Men, and a natural post-presence.

Other than Ron Artest, Harrison (who missed part of his rookie season with a knee injury), was the best Pacer player in Minneapolis Summer League. Harrison averaged 14.8 points, including scoring 16 Poins in just 14 minutes of play against Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut, the top pick in last month's NBA draft.

Via Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Contract Signing

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Dalembert To Re-Sign For $75 Million Dollars?

A rumor floating around the internet supposedly of NY Post origins state that the buzz in Summer League: Las Vegas among GMs was that one of the top free-agent centers, Samuel Dalembert, verbally agreed on a $70M to $75M deal to stick with Philly.

According to the new CBA, if this is true, Dalembert (who's been a backup for a big part of his career), but is still one of those "potential" players, could be averaging about $12 Million in Yearly Salary at 10.5% Increases.

Via RealGM

Philadelphia 76ers, Contract Signing

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