The Suns made a modest splash in the free agent pool earlier this week, agreeing to terms on a three-year, $30MM contract with veteran sharpshooter Jared Dudley. However, that deal with Dudley may be both the beginning and end of Phoenix’s summer spending spree, writes Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic. As Coro explains, the Suns are focused on developing a young core of players, rather than courting big-name free agents. The team still may explore the market for a wing player with some size, and could re-sign Ronnie Price, but there will likely be no more major expenditures.
Here’s more from around the Pacific division:
- While Nick Young still has two years remaining on his contract with the Lakers, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s traded, or even waived, before training camp gets underway, says Mike Bresnahan of The Los Angeles Times.
- Hours before word broke that Jamal Crawford had reached a deal to re-sign with the Clippers, a report indicated that the veteran guard received a “significant” offer from the Sixers. However, a league source denied to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer that the 76ers made such an offer, prompting Pompey to wonder if Crawford’s camp used Philadelphia for leverage in an effort to get the Clippers to improve their offer.
- Austin Rivers, another Clippers guard who struck a deal with the team this weekend, described the negotiating process as “weird” and “stressful,” as Nick Friedell of ESPN.com details. Rivers went through the rare experience of negotiating a deal with his father, Clippers president of basketball operations Doc Rivers. The younger Rivers also acknowledged that if Kevin Durant had wanted to join the Clippers, Rivers would be heading elsewhere at this point.
Dad, can I have an increase in my allowance?
The Lakers definitely need to trade Nick….but after all of his escapades the last two years not sure they can get more than a vet’s expiring contract or a second round pick next year.
Solid signing for the Lakers. Should have played 10-12 minutes per game last year. He can play the 4 or the 5 and is a smart, tough player. Randle, Deng, Nance, Black, A. Brown, Mozgov and Zubac is a much better front court group than last year. Would think that Zach Auguste from Notre Dame (on summer league roster) would have a shot at making the squad……still need 2 dead-eye back court shooters. Right now Lou Williams is our 1 dead eye shooter.
Hopefully Lou Will can turn into a first round pick at the deadline. His deal is a bargain now, and a team looking for beach scoring going into the playoffs (hopefully) will be all over him.
I hope they over pay for Crabbe with the extra room on the books. He’s a great investment for the lakers!!
NYoung —> NYK
Could help both teams