Sebastian Telfair Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Suns Looking To Move Sebastian Telfair

February 19th, 2013 at 9:07am CST by Luke Adams

In an effort to create playing time for rookie point guard Kendall Marshall, the Suns are looking to move Sebastian Telfair, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN.com (via Twitter). While it's unclear whether the team is currently engaged in any talks, Broussard suggests (via Twitter) that the Raptors are seeking a backup point guard and could be one possibility.

Telfair, 27, has averaged 17.3 minutes per game in 46 contests for the Suns this year, and is producing at a rate consistent with his career numbers. His points per 36 minutes (12.5) and PER (11.2) are slightly better than his career rates (12.4 and 10.8).

Telfair is only earning about $1.57MM, but could be a little trickier to move than if he were earning a minimum salary. Minimum-salary players can be acquired without sending out any salary in return, but a trade for Telfair would require an interested team to either send out a player or possess a trade exception large enough to absorb Telfair's salary.

Suns Not Pursuing Josh Smith

February 1st, 2013 at 7:49am CST by Sean Highkin

FRIDAY, 7:49am: According to John Gambadoro of 620 KTAR in Phoenix (Twitter link), the Suns have "zero" interest in trading for Smith. Gambadoro adds in a second tweet that the Suns have not even had a conversation with the Hawks about Smith.

THURSDAY, 5:02pm: Having missed out on Rudy Gay and Eric Gordon, the Phoenix Suns are making an effort to trade for Josh Smith, Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reports. Kennedy writes that the Suns are intent on acquiring a max-level star to make into a cornerstone of their franchise, and have had preliminary discussions with the Hawks regarding possible trade packages.

Kennedy reports that a Suns package would likely be based around center Marcin Gortat, as well some combination of the expiring contracts of Jermaine O'Neal, Wesley Johnson, Shannon Brown, and Sebastian Telfair. Luis Scola could be involved as well, although since he was claimed off amnesty waivers, any deal including him would have to be a sign-and-trade made after July 1. The Suns also own multiple first-round picks, including their own, one from Minnesota, and two they received from the Lakers in last summer's Steve Nash trade.

In the past week, speculation is growing around the league that Smith's tenure with the Hawks may be coming to a close. Executives believe that he does not intend to re-sign with Atlanta this summer, when he will be an unrestricted free agent.