Phoenix Suns add Ralph Sampson and Sean Rooks to staff

The Suns got bigger Thursday.

They added two centers: one 7-foot-4, the other 6-foot-10. Now while the two will see time on the court, neither will suit up in uniform.

The Suns announced officially the additions of Ralph Sampson and Sean Rooks to the team’s Player Development Department.

Sampson, recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, will serve as the department’s assistant coordinator under coordinator Lindsey Hunter. Rooks, who was a UA Wildcat from 1988-1992, will join the department in a supporting role.

Both have been with the team since the start of camp but their roles had not yet been defined.

— Reported by Craig Grialou of Arizona Sports

Phoenix Suns plan to hire a new Gorilla

The Phoenix Suns have a job opening, and landing it will be harder than actually making the team.

After all, the roster has room for 13 players. There is only one Suns Gorilla.

The responsibilities and qualifications are extensive: The ideal candidate needs to have a college degree and two years’ experience in a similar job, the ability to work with children and adults, some computer savvy and a level of fitness that goes well beyond what most people can achieve.

Broken legs, separated shoulders and pulled hamstrings? Threats, insults, even assaults? All part of the job.

— Reported by Michael Clancy of the Arizona Republic

NBA Rookie Transition Program includes talk of relationship problems

Kendall Marshall was in New Jersey from Aug. 16-20 to work on his life grip along with the rest of the 2011 and 2012 rookie classes. The NBA’s Rookie Transition Program hosted 110 players because last year’s lockout canceled the event.

From new women to old friends, from newfound riches to old stories of bankruptcies and from illegal drugs to social slugs, the program introduced rookies to problems that are more common than they imagined and more issues than they could master…

“It was a real eye-opener for us,” Marshall said. “You hear the financial stories about guys who go bankrupt and you hear about the relationship stories about guys that have things go wrong with their spouse or girlfriend. You always think that can’t happen to you but the odds are that it can happen. They’ve done a great job of preparing us for that and bringing it to realization and making us want to make the right decisions.” …

“The female species are a lot smarter than us so we have to realize maybe it’s not always that we’re the best-looking guy they’ve ever seen,” Marshall said. “Maybe there is some incentive behind it. At the same time, there are great cases where guys have happy marriages. They’ve shown us both cases. We just have to be smart (and realize) that people don’t always have our best interests in mind.”

— Reported by Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic

Suns may have shot at someday landing James Harden

Suns may have shot at someday landing James Harden

News that Serge Ibaka reached agreement on a four-year contract with Oklahoma City should catch the attention of Suns fans.

The amount of the deal, $48 million, will make it trickier for the Thunder to secure James Harden, who could command a maximum contract as a restricted free agent after the 2012-13 season. That could open the door for the Suns, who have maintained $15 million in cap space for next summer’s free-agency period and who have expressed interest in Harden behind the scenes.

Much will hinge on what becomes important to Harden. No one could fault him for chasing the money if a max deal (roughly $60 million over four years) is offered. But would the appeal of sticking it out with his Thunder teammates make him willing to stay for say, $52 million?

— Reported by Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic

Suns center Jermaine O`Neal feels young again

Jermaine O'Neal

For a man who has missed 39 percent of his teams’ games over the past eight seasons, any presumption of improved health is taken with great caution, but O’Neal said he feels five years younger.

He credits Boston doctors for a surgery that healed his left wrist. After getting a testimonial last year from Kobe Bryant, O’Neal went to Germany after the season to undergo Regenokine treatment on both knees, with the left being his primary concern.

The Suns have that visit and former captain Grant Hill to thank for landing O’Neal. Hill, now with the Los Angeles Clippers, was getting the treatment simultaneously and told O’Neal how he should consider the Suns because of the athletic trainers. They have performed wonders on 30-something players with health issues such as Hill, Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal and Antonio McDyess.

“I always knew the training staff was phenomenal,” O’Neal said. “That’s the word around the league among players. They really take the body and put three, four years on it by the things they do to the body.”

— Reported by Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns agree to terms with Jermaine O’Neal

Phoenix Suns agree to terms with Jermaine O'Neal

In the shadow cast by Superman’s arrival in Los Angeles, the timing of Jermaine O’Neal’s choice to commit to the Suns on Friday was unfortunate as an unrelated move.

Given the caliber of remaining NBA free-agent centers, O’Neal’s commitment to sign a one-year, $1.35 million contract with Phoenix could be fortuitous if — and it’s a huge if — O’Neal can be healthier than he has been for the later half of his 16-year career.

The Suns had only a backup center role and a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract to offer with a franchise that is in transition. The Suns came away with a six-time All-Star who is still only 33 years old because he entered the NBA out of high school.

— Reported by Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic

Hornets center Robin Lopez undergoes knee surgery

Hornets center Robin Lopez undergoes knee surgery

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that center Robin Lopez underwent successful surgery to correct a tear of his medial meniscus in his left knee.

Lopez was acquired July 27 along with forward Hakim Warrick and cash considerations from the Phoenix Suns. The 7’0’’ center averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds for the Suns last season in 14.0 minutes over 64 games.

The procedure was performed by Dr. El Attrache at the Kerlan Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles. Lopez is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp this fall.

James Harden open to signing with Suns

James Harden open to signing with Suns

A flicker of hope for Valley basketball fans:

Former Arizona State star James Harden would consider signing with the Suns if his contract expires after next season.

“Yeah,” he said. “Of course. I love it there. My mom lives there still. So that’s definitely my second home as far as my comfort level and going to school there. But obviously, I’m with the Thunder right now and what we have is special.”

Harden and his beard enjoyed breakout seasons in 2011-12, helping Oklahoma City reach the NBA Finals. The Thunder already secured stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to long-term deals, and by 2015, those two players alone will command $35 million.

— Reported by Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic

Suns trade Robin Lopez, Hakim Warrick to Hornets in 3-team deal

Suns trade Robin Lopez, Hakim Warrick to Hornets in 3-team deal

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired center Robin Lopez, forward Hakim Warrick, and cash considerations from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for guard Jerome Dyson, center Brad Miller and two 2nd round picks (Brooklyn’s 2013 second round selection and Minnesota’s 2016 second round draft choice) as part of a three-team trade along with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Phoenix receives Brad Miller and Jerome Dyson from the Hornets as well as Wesley Johnson and a 1st round pick from Minnesota. Minnesota receives Brooklyn’s 2013 2nd round pick and their own 2016 2nd round pick from New Orleans.

“We are very excited about this trade that brings us two quality people and basketball players to help strengthen our foundation as a team,” Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said. “This move gives us a true center in Robin Lopez who brings youth and is a tough, inside rebounder. In Hakim, we get an experienced, versatile forward who will bring a veteran presence to our team.”

Lopez (7-0, 255), was drafted with the 15th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Suns. He averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds for the Suns last season in 14.0 minutes over 64 games. During the 2010-11 season, Lopez started 56 of 67 regular season games, averaging 6.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.8 minutes of action. In four NBA seasons in Phoenix, the Stanford product has career averages of 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds in 14.4 minutes over 242 games (94 starts). The Fresno, California native enjoyed a two-year collegiate career at Stanford, averaging 8.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 67 career games for the Cardinal. Robin’s twin brother, Brook, plays for the New Jersey Nets.

Suns trade Robin Lopez, Hakim Warrick to Hornets in 3-team deal

Warrick, (6-9, 219), who was the 19TH overall of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, averaged 6.4 points and 2.6 rebounds for the Suns last season over 35 games. The versatile forward has played for four NBA teams (Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and Suns) over seven seasons, with career averages of 9.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 498 games (94 starts). The Philadelphia native starred for Syracuse University, playing four seasons for the Orange, averaging 15.4 points and 7.6 rebounds over 135 career games. Warrick also helped Syracuse capture their first-ever National Championship in 2003.

Dyson (6-3, 180), appeared in nine games (one start) for the Hornets last season. Miller (7-0, 261) and the two 2nd round picks were originally acquired by the Hornets on July 13 from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for the Hornets’ protected 2017 second round pick. Miller, a 14-year NBA veteran with the Bulls, Pacers, Kings, Rockets and Timberwolves began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Hornets on January 21, 1999.

Robin Lopez Suns trade remains up in air

Robin Lopez Suns trade remains up in air

The chances of the Suns completing a trade that sends away Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick and brings in Wesley Johnson and a first-round pick improved Thursday, but its completion remained tenuous with resolution expected Friday.

The three-way agreement among Phoenix, New Orleans and Minnesota did not completely fit collective bargaining agreement rules regarding what the Suns were receiving.

In the deal, Lopez and Warrick would go to New Orleans and Minnesota would send a conditional first-round pick, either its own or one owed them by Memphis, to the Suns along with Johnson, a third-year swingman. The draft pick would have top-14 protection for coming years.

The Suns would take Brad Miller’s contract from New Orleans and pay his $800,000 buyout because he is retiring while also sending cash to New Orleans.

— Reported by Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic