Phoenix Suns Blog – Page 57 – NBA Blog

Magic sign Quentin Richardson

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard/forward Quentin Richardson, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

“Quentin (Richardson) is a solid perimeter defender and brings an element of toughness,” said Smith. “At the same time, he also is a tremendous shooter from long range, which fits our style of play very well. We’re excited to add him to our team.”

Richardson (#5, 6’6”, 228, 4/13/80) played in 76 games (75 starts) last season with Miami, averaging 8.9 ppg., 4.9 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 27.4 minpg. He also appeared in five postseason contests, averaging 9.8 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.60 stlpg. in 29.8 minpg. Richardson shot a team-best .397 (142-358) from three-point range, which tied for 21st in the NBA. He scored in double figures 28 times and had seven 20-point outings, including a season-high 25 points on Mar. 4 vs. the L.A. Lakers. Richardson led (or tied) the team in scoring once, in rebounding 12 times and in assists once.

Originally selected in the first round (18th overall) by the L.A. Clippers in the 2000 NBA Draft, Richardson has appeared in 677 career NBA regular season games with the L.A. Clippers, Phoenix, New York and Miami, averaging 11.2 ppg., 5.0 rpg. and 1.6 apg. in 28.0 minpg. He has shot .359 (1,082-3,017) from three-point range during his career. Richardson has also played in 20 career playoff outings, averaging 11.4 ppg., 4.8 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.35 stlpg. in 35.6 minpg., while shooting .394 (41-104) from three-point range.

Bulls sign-and-trade Hakim Warrick to Suns

The Phoenix Suns today acquired forward Hakim Warrick in a sign-and-trade deal with the Chicago Bulls. In exchange, Chicago receives the Suns’ second-round pick in 2011. Warrick has signed a four-year contract. We’ll post contract details later today.

“Hakim is a player we have watched perform well against us for years,” said Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry. “He is a long, athletic player who runs the floor and finishes well. We feel, given the opportunity, and playing alongside veterans like Steve Nash and Grant Hill, he can be a productive member of our rotation.”

The 6-9, 219-pound Warrick is an athletic finisher who owns career averages of 10.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 21.4 minutes in 383 games with three NBA teams. Originally selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 19th overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft, Warrick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Grizzlies before splitting the 2009-10 campaign between Milwaukee and Chicago.

Warrick has averaged double-digit scoring in three of his last four seasons overall, including a career-high 12.7 points and career-best 5.1 rebounds in 82 games during his best career season in 2006-07 with the Grizzlies. Most recently, the 28-year-old averaged 9.6 points and 4.1 boards in 76 games last season split between the Bucks and Bulls after being acquired by Chicago along with Joe Alexander in exchange for John Salmons and two future second-round picks at the trade deadline.

A perfect fit for the Suns’ up-tempo system, in 15 career meetings with Phoenix, Warrick has averaged 13.3 points in 27.5 minutes while shooting 58.1 percent from the field, all three of which are his highest against any NBA opponent. Warrick has also grabbed 6.4 rebounds in his career against the Suns, his second-most against any NBA team.

A four-year performer at Syracuse University (2001-05), Warrick started all 35 games for the NCAA Champion Orange as a sophomore. As a senior, he was named First Team All-America by the Associated Press, awarded Big East Conference Player of the Year and named First Team All-Big East after averaging 21.4 points and 8.6 rebounds in 34 games.

Suns sign-and-trade Amar`e Stoudemire to Knicks

The Phoenix Suns today completed a sign-and-trade deal with the New York Knicks that will send free-agent forward Amar’e Stoudemire to New York. The trade gives Phoenix a trade exception for its use in future dealings within one calendar year as well as other consideration.

Selected by the Suns with the ninth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, Stoudemire played the first eight seasons of his career with Phoenix. The 27-year-old forward was a five-time NBA All-Star while with the Suns (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010), a First Team All-NBA selection in 2007 and three-time Second Team All-NBA pick (2005, 2008, 2010). The 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year, Stoudemire averaged 21.4 points and 8.9 rebounds in 516 career games with the Suns.

Suns re-sign Channing Frye

The Phoenix Suns have re-signed center Channing Frye to a five-year contract, the club announced today. We’ll post contract details later today.

“Channing’s ability to shoot and spread the floor was instrumental in our success last season, and it was very important for us to bring him back,” said Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry. “But more than just what he adds on the court, Channing is a great teammate, a high-character individual, and a willing ambassador in our community. He embodies all the things we look for in a Phoenix Sun.”

Frye’s new contract keeps him in his hometown where last season he added lethal long-range shooting ability to his game and became one of the league’s most improved players. The 27-year-old Frye averaged 11.2 points in his first season with the Suns in 2009-10, his highest scoring average since his rookie campaign in 2005-06 (12.3). The 6-11 center scored 20 or more points 11 times, establishing a new single-season career-high.

A five-year NBA veteran, Frye registered the largest increase in three-point field goals made from one season to the next in NBA history, racking up a team-leading and career-high 172 three-pointers, the fourth-most in the league in 2009-10, a season after making a total of 11 threes in 63 games in 2008-09 (minimum 50 games played). Frye’s 172 threes were the most made by a center in NBA history, and he set the mark while developing into one of the league’s most efficient shooters, making a career-high 43.9 percent from three-point range, sixth-best in the NBA last season.

Originally selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft by New York, the University of Arizona product spent his first two career seasons with the Knicks before being acquired by the Portland Trail Blazers along with Steve Francis in exchange for Zach Randolph, Freddy Jones and Dan Dickau in 2007. The Suns became Frye’s third NBA team when he signed as an unrestricted free agent on July 14, 2009.

A graduate of Phoenix St. Mary’s High School, Frye became the first boys’ basketball player in the school’s history to have his jersey retired in a ceremony last January. The Arizona Republic’s high school Player of the Year in 2001, that season Frye led his school to a 5A State Championship, a title won on the Suns’ home floor at US Airways Center.

Knicks sign Amar`e Stoudemire

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that five-time NBA All-Star forward Amar’e Stoudemire has agreed to terms with the team. As per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Multiple media outlets reported that the contract is for five years and around $100 million.

“When I arrived here in New York, our goal was to create enough flexibility to sign the elite players in our league that would enable us to build a championship caliber team,” Walsh said. “Signing Amar’e represents the first step in that process. Amar’e gives us one of the premiere frontcourt players in the league whose numerous abilities and familiarity with Mike’s system make him an outstanding fit for us.”

Stoudemire, 6-10, 249-pounds, has career averages of 21.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.40 blocks and 34.3 minutes in 516 career games (499 starts) in eight NBA seasons with the Phoenix Suns. The Lake Wales, FL-native has been named an NBA All-Star five times and holds playoff career averages of 24.2 points and 9.2 rebounds in 52 playoff games (all starts). Selected by Phoenix with the ninth overall selection in the 2002 NBA Draft, Stoudemire was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2003 and has been named All-NBA four times, including a first team All-NBA selection in 2007.

“Amar’e is one of the most talented players I have ever worked with and I’m excited to welcome him to New York,” Knicks Head Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He has thrived in our system and will be a great addition to our team.”

In 2009-10, Stoudemire started all 82 regular season games and averaged 23.1 points, 8.9 points and 34.6 minutes while shooting 55.7-percent from the floor in earning All-NBA Second Team honors. Stoudemire finished the season ranked 10th in the NBA in scoring and seventh in the league in field goal percentage and led the Suns to the Western Conference Finals.

Shawn Marion plays in World Series of Poker

SportsDayDFW.com reports:

While a number of the NBA’s finest are trying to secure millions in the free agent market, the Dallas Mavericks’ Shawn Marion is trying to get millions in a different way: at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Marion participated in Day 1 of the Main Event on Monday. Due to the growing popularity of the event, there are four separate “Day 1s” where players begin the tournament. Monday’s was the first possible day to start. A number of other athletes and celebrities will also try their hand over the next three days. According to a report in USA Today, former Cowboy legends Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman will both play during Thursday’s Day 1 action.

Does adding Amare Stoudemire, losing David Lee help Knicks?

Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times reports (via blog):

Stoudemire is the more dynamic and explosive of the two by a wide margin. He averaged 23.1 points and 8.9 rebounds last season. Stoudemire, though, played on Phoenix teams that had Steve Nash at point guard. Nash generated a large dose of Stoudemire’s offense through pick-and-rolls, and defenses had to respect Nash’s jump shot and ability to penetrate.

Lee, meanwhile, scored his points while playing with Chris Duhon at the point. Duhon struggled with his jump shot through much of his tenure with the Knicks, which allowed defenses to key on his drives and Lee’s rolls. In response, Lee developed a reliable jump shot.

In economic terms, Stoudemire will make $20 million a season if he joins the Knicks. Lee found a timid market last off-season, when he was a restricted free agent, and ended up staying with the Knicks for about $7 million. He is due for a raise with another organization, but will not approach Stoudemire’s figure.

Channing Frye will stay with Suns

Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports:

The price of keeping Suns big men in Phoenix is rising.

Channing Frye agreed to re-sign with the Suns for five years and $30 million, $8 million more than the Suns figured to pay.

Amar’e Stoudemire has yet to get the five-year offer from the Suns he wants, making a league source call a return to Phoenix “highly unlikely.” He met two hours late Wednesday with Miami, and his agent said he received a better offer from another team Thursday and plans to go to New York for a meeting Monday with the Knicks…

Frye can’t sign a new deal until Thursday.

Frye averaged 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds last season, making an argument to be the NBA’s top long-range shooting big man with 43.9 percent 3-point shooting (sixth in the NBA) and 172 made 3s (fourth in the NBA).

Suns announce executive staff changes

The Suns announced today the promotion of Jay Parry to Senior Vice President of Brand and Business Development for the club and added additional responsibilities to two veteran executives. Ralph Marchetta adds the title of Senior Vice President of Suns Ticket Operations, continuing as General Manager of Sports and Entertainment Services which manages US Airways Center. Senior Vice President of Marketing Partnerships Lynn Agnello will add Suite Sales and Service to her current role with the team.

“The new assignments announced today create one of the most experienced and talented senior business teams to be found anywhere in sports and entertainment,” said Rick Welts, President and CEO of the Phoenix Suns. “The characteristics that made Jay so successful with the Mercury will now be expanded across the entire organization. Ralph and Lynn have shown their ability to excel as their management responsibilities have grown, and the three of them together are a formidable team.”

As Senior Vice President of Brand and Business Development, Parry will oversee the day to day operations of Ticket Sales, Premium Seats, Suns Digital Media, CRM and Database Marketing, Public Relations, Marketing and Community Relations departments.

For the past seven years, Parry served as President and Chief Operating Officer for the Phoenix Mercury and has been responsible for overseeing all business operations. Under Parry’s leadership, the organization won two WNBA championships (2007, 2009) and has posted significant business growth in the areas of corporate partnerships and acquiring new fans. Parry was also a driving force behind the Mercury’s development of an innovative alliance with Lifelock that resulted in the first-ever corporate-branded jersey in WNBA or NBA history.

Marchetta has been with the organization since March 1992, before the opening of America West Arena, as an event manager and entered the world of booking in 1996. He was named Vice President of Entertainment in 2002 before assuming the General Manager role for US Airways Center in 2007. Marchetta is responsible for bringing some of the most prestigious concerts to the Valley including The Police, Eric Clapton, U2, George Strait. He also secured long-term relationships with Feld Entertainment (Ringling Bros and Barnum Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice shows) and concert promoter Live Nation.

Agnello is entering her 10th season with the Suns as Senior Vice President of Marketing Partnerships for the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. She has built an unprecedented discipline of full-service sales and activation, generating revenue through partnership packages which include broadcasts in HD, digital media, radio, cable, print, website, signage, and promotional elements. As the only local professional sports team controlling and marketing all its own media and promotional assets, she leads the franchise’s relationships with over 100 marketing partners. She joined the organization in 2001.

Suns sign three assistant coaches

The Phoenix Suns have signed assistant coaches Dan Majerle, Bill Cartwright and Igor Kokoskov to contracts through the 2011-12 season, the club announced today.

“I could not be happier to keep Dan, Bill and Igor on our staff,” said Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry. “Finalizing their return was just a matter of time. Our success this season was a product of how well our team worked together and how badly our guys wanted to win, and that included our entire coaching staff.”

Majerle, Cartwright and Kokoskov originally joined the Suns’ coaching staff on June 20, 2008, and have served on the club’s bench each of the last two seasons. The trio has served on the staff of head coach Alvin Gentry for his entire 113-game tenure.

The 44-year-old Majerle was a three-time NBA All-Star (1992, 1993, 1995), all with the Suns, during his 14-year career with Phoenix, Cleveland and Miami. Nicknamed “Thunder,” Majerle became a permanent fan favorite while playing eight seasons with the Suns (1988-95, 2001-02) and was given the club’s highest honor, induction into the Ring of Honor, on March 9, 2003. Majerle retired as the Suns’ all-time leader in three-point field goals made, a record now held by Steve Nash, and ranks 18th in that category in NBA history overall (1360).

Majerle served as the head coach of the Suns’ Las Vegas Summer League squads in 2008 and 2009, and will do so again in 2010. Before joining the Phoenix coaching staff, Majerle spent the previous four seasons as a television analyst for Suns’ broadcasts and also worked in that capacity for TNT, ESPN and ABC.

A five-time NBA champion as a player and coach, Cartwright owns a wealth of coaching experience established over 12 seasons as an NBA assistant coach and parts of three seasons as head coach of the Chicago Bulls (151 games). Cartwright served six seasons in the Bulls organization under Phil Jackson (1996-98) and Tim Floyd (1998-2001) and was on the staff of Chicago’s 1997 and 1998 championship squads. Cartwright then spent four seasons on the bench of the New Jersey’s Nets before joining the Suns in the summer of 2008.

The third overall pick of the 1979 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, Cartwright spent his first eight seasons in the Big Apple before a 1988 trade sent him to Chicago and help propel the Bulls to their first three championships. He was a 1980 NBA All-Star and a 1979 selection to the NBA All-Rookie Team.

Kokoskov (ko-KOSH-kov) just completed his 10th season as an assistant coach in the NBA after entering the league in 2000 as a member of Gentry’s staff with the Los Angeles Clippers. The 38-year-old was the first full-time, non-American assistant coach in NBA history, and just one week ago on June 18 Kokoskov became an American citizen in a ceremony at US Airways Center.

The native of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, has served as the head coach of the Serbia and Montenegro national team, and most recently served in the same capacity for the Republic of Georgia. Kokoskov was an assistant coach for the Suns’ Las Vegas Summer League entries in both 2008 and 2009.