There are a few interesting things in this article. First, it sure sounds like the Suns are admitting that they may have out thought themselves in trading the pick. They will be sharply criticized for missing out on the Iguodala, especially if he is a contributor for the 76ers this season. Secondly, it sounds to me like they are conceding that it's very unlikely they will get Tracy McGrady. That doesn't bother me.
The one thing I heard from Bryan Colangelo last night and he repeats in this article is that they aren't going to spend the money just to spend it. He is saying that they are going to be very careful. That's a bit of a relief. - Joe Mama
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/0625suns0625.html
Suns shift focus to free agents
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 25, 2004 12:00 AM
Now, the Phoenix Suns' real draft starts.
The Suns' second-round selection of Iowa State's Jackson Vroman on Thursday night gave them an energetic power forward they had pegged as a solid first-round choice. However, their more important choices begin this Thursday when they can begin recruiting free agents.
The chance to trade for Orlando's Tracy McGrady this week began to put too much of Phoenix's building blocks at risk. Although a McGrady deal is not dead, the close of the NBA draft shifted the Suns' focus to luring two or three veteran free agents who can bring leadership and toughness to the perimeter and paint.
"We have experienced some pain to get here, but we've got the opportunity to add something significant to this team," Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said.
There could have been regret over missing out on one of their desired prospects, Arizona swingman Andre Iguodala. He surprisingly fell to No. 9 for Philadelphia, meaning the Suns could have taken him had they not agreed Wednesday to deal the No. 7 choice to Chicago for the No. 31 pick that garnered Vroman, a future first-round choice and $3 million.
But the Suns' $16.3 million of salary-cap space to pursue free agents or use in future deals proved most valuable.
"Does that mean we will spend $16 million? No, because you've got to make the right decisions," Colangelo said. "The money won't be spent just to spend the money."
Thursday's draft may have even impacted the Suns' wish list.
With Dallas' trade to acquire Wisconsin point guard Devin Harris, theories were flying that Mavericks point guard Steve Nash will be dangled in a trade to acquire Shaquille O'Neal. Nash is just one of several free agents Phoenix will consider.
"I think the pieces will fall pretty quickly," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said.
Have a question for your favorite Suns, Cardinals, Coyotes, D-Backs player? Click here to submit the question for one of our reporters to take it to the source. Look for the answers on Page 2 of Saturday's Arizona Republic.
Nash is among the most mentioned because Phoenix figures to go after a veteran point guard to compliment Leandro Barbosa, who is entering his second year. The Suns do not plan to bring over Serbian point guard Milos Vujanic, who would have had a costly buyout from his Italian team.
"I don't think we need two guys who both have to learn," D'Antoni said.
One free agent wouldn't even need to change teams. Phoenix is hoping to bring back Antonio McDyess, who became Phoenix's solid starting center at the end of last season.
"He's definitely a guy we'd love to have back," D'Antoni said.
The Suns went from nearly making McGrady their newest player earlier this to making Vroman the new guy on Thursday. As the second pick of the second round, Vroman is not guaranteed to make the Suns roster. However, Phoenix's brass believes he will because of the vacancy in the middle created when Charlotte took Jahidi White on Tuesday.
Vroman, 6 feet 10 and 230 pounds, has drawn some comparisons to current Suns center Jake Voskuhl for his active style and ability to run. But Vroman, 23, was also labeled as "a bit of a project" and has some missteps in his past. He was arrested twice in 2003 - once for marijuana possession and once for drunken driving.
As a senior, he led the Big 12 in rebounding. Vroman was the star of recent draft camps in Portsmouth, Va., and Chicago.
"He's a hard worker and he's relentless on the boards," Suns Vice President of Player Personnel Dick Van Arsdale said.
Jackson Vroman
School: Iowa State.
Age: 23.
Height: 6 feet 10.
Weight: 230 pounds.
Stats: Vroman averaged 13.9 points and a Big 12-high 9.6 rebounds for Iowa State as a senior. His 56.4 shooting percentage ranked fourth in the conference.
Background: Vroman grew up loving soccer in Europe and did not play basketball until he was in high school in Utah. Vroman was 6 feet tall as a freshman and grew to 6-10 by the time he was in college. His father, Brett, played one year with the Jazz and 12 seasons in Europe.
Vroman quote: "The team needed some big man, so it's nice to come into a team I can contribute to."
The one thing I heard from Bryan Colangelo last night and he repeats in this article is that they aren't going to spend the money just to spend it. He is saying that they are going to be very careful. That's a bit of a relief. - Joe Mama
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/0625suns0625.html
Suns shift focus to free agents
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 25, 2004 12:00 AM
Now, the Phoenix Suns' real draft starts.
The Suns' second-round selection of Iowa State's Jackson Vroman on Thursday night gave them an energetic power forward they had pegged as a solid first-round choice. However, their more important choices begin this Thursday when they can begin recruiting free agents.
The chance to trade for Orlando's Tracy McGrady this week began to put too much of Phoenix's building blocks at risk. Although a McGrady deal is not dead, the close of the NBA draft shifted the Suns' focus to luring two or three veteran free agents who can bring leadership and toughness to the perimeter and paint.
"We have experienced some pain to get here, but we've got the opportunity to add something significant to this team," Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said.
There could have been regret over missing out on one of their desired prospects, Arizona swingman Andre Iguodala. He surprisingly fell to No. 9 for Philadelphia, meaning the Suns could have taken him had they not agreed Wednesday to deal the No. 7 choice to Chicago for the No. 31 pick that garnered Vroman, a future first-round choice and $3 million.
But the Suns' $16.3 million of salary-cap space to pursue free agents or use in future deals proved most valuable.
"Does that mean we will spend $16 million? No, because you've got to make the right decisions," Colangelo said. "The money won't be spent just to spend the money."
Thursday's draft may have even impacted the Suns' wish list.
With Dallas' trade to acquire Wisconsin point guard Devin Harris, theories were flying that Mavericks point guard Steve Nash will be dangled in a trade to acquire Shaquille O'Neal. Nash is just one of several free agents Phoenix will consider.
"I think the pieces will fall pretty quickly," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said.
Have a question for your favorite Suns, Cardinals, Coyotes, D-Backs player? Click here to submit the question for one of our reporters to take it to the source. Look for the answers on Page 2 of Saturday's Arizona Republic.
Nash is among the most mentioned because Phoenix figures to go after a veteran point guard to compliment Leandro Barbosa, who is entering his second year. The Suns do not plan to bring over Serbian point guard Milos Vujanic, who would have had a costly buyout from his Italian team.
"I don't think we need two guys who both have to learn," D'Antoni said.
One free agent wouldn't even need to change teams. Phoenix is hoping to bring back Antonio McDyess, who became Phoenix's solid starting center at the end of last season.
"He's definitely a guy we'd love to have back," D'Antoni said.
The Suns went from nearly making McGrady their newest player earlier this to making Vroman the new guy on Thursday. As the second pick of the second round, Vroman is not guaranteed to make the Suns roster. However, Phoenix's brass believes he will because of the vacancy in the middle created when Charlotte took Jahidi White on Tuesday.
Vroman, 6 feet 10 and 230 pounds, has drawn some comparisons to current Suns center Jake Voskuhl for his active style and ability to run. But Vroman, 23, was also labeled as "a bit of a project" and has some missteps in his past. He was arrested twice in 2003 - once for marijuana possession and once for drunken driving.
As a senior, he led the Big 12 in rebounding. Vroman was the star of recent draft camps in Portsmouth, Va., and Chicago.
"He's a hard worker and he's relentless on the boards," Suns Vice President of Player Personnel Dick Van Arsdale said.
Jackson Vroman
School: Iowa State.
Age: 23.
Height: 6 feet 10.
Weight: 230 pounds.
Stats: Vroman averaged 13.9 points and a Big 12-high 9.6 rebounds for Iowa State as a senior. His 56.4 shooting percentage ranked fourth in the conference.
Background: Vroman grew up loving soccer in Europe and did not play basketball until he was in high school in Utah. Vroman was 6 feet tall as a freshman and grew to 6-10 by the time he was in college. His father, Brett, played one year with the Jazz and 12 seasons in Europe.
Vroman quote: "The team needed some big man, so it's nice to come into a team I can contribute to."
