On just guessing that the three or four prospects are Ben Gordon, Devin Harris, Andre Iguodala, and possibly Josh Smith. Joe Mama
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/0617sunsnb0617.html
Trade of pick is less likely
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 17, 2004 12:00 AM
The more the Suns browse the store of No. 7 draft prospects, the more inclined they are to stay and shop for one.
The Suns' choice in next Thursday's draft may not be on the move after all. Phoenix has honed in on three or four prospects who the staff believes can help the team.
"I'd be surprised if we don't use the pick," coach Mike D'Antoni said.
The Suns brought in Stanford swingman Josh Childress on Wednesday and will host four more draft workouts by Tuesday, including second looks at point guards Devin Harris of Wisconsin and Ben Gordon of Connecticut, and possibly swingman Andre Iguodala of Arizona.
The Suns figured to consider moving the No. 7 pick because deleting that $1.86 million salary would increase cap space for free agency in July. They have received interest, including talk of two future first-round picks in return.
"For everyone that is criticizing the draft, there sure is a lot of interest in the top 10 or 15 picks," Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said.
If the Suns do keep the choice, it may be because they have found other means to maximize their flexibility.
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.
Some of that could come in Tuesday's expansion draft, when Charlotte will be enticed with cash and/or picks to take Jahidi White or Howard Eisley.
"It is our goal to get something done with Charlotte where it would greatly enhance our cap flexibility," Colangelo said.
Just Joshin'
Suns swingman Casey Jacobsen left a list at Stanford that has prepped Childress and other Cardinal players on just about everything in regard to draft workouts. But he could not prepare Childress for the stress and the confusion.
The Suns, set at small forward, did not plan to look at Childress but invited him Wednesday. He has visited or will visit every team between Nos. 2 and 10.
"The most stressful thing is you have no clue," Childress said.
The Suns wanted a better clue as to whether he could play shooting guard with his slender 6-foot-8 build. Childress, an outstanding rebounder, seems to fit under the "best player available" scenario.
"The guy's going to be a great player," D'Antoni said. "He's a great person. Whether he duplicates what we have at a couple positions, (that) could be. . . . He knows how to play. You'd like to have someone like that around five or six years."
Childress' Stanford teams never lost in Arizona, but his team success has little to do with his stock rising. Individual workouts and interviews have done that.
"I've shown I can play in a fast-break system, handle pressure, bang with guys and do all those things that they considered my weaknesses," he said.
Free throw
New assistant Alvin Gentry watched Wednesday's workout, which also included UCLA small forward Trevor Ariza and small forward Damir Omerhodzic from Croatia.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/0617sunsnb0617.html
Trade of pick is less likely
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 17, 2004 12:00 AM
The more the Suns browse the store of No. 7 draft prospects, the more inclined they are to stay and shop for one.
The Suns' choice in next Thursday's draft may not be on the move after all. Phoenix has honed in on three or four prospects who the staff believes can help the team.
"I'd be surprised if we don't use the pick," coach Mike D'Antoni said.
The Suns brought in Stanford swingman Josh Childress on Wednesday and will host four more draft workouts by Tuesday, including second looks at point guards Devin Harris of Wisconsin and Ben Gordon of Connecticut, and possibly swingman Andre Iguodala of Arizona.
The Suns figured to consider moving the No. 7 pick because deleting that $1.86 million salary would increase cap space for free agency in July. They have received interest, including talk of two future first-round picks in return.
"For everyone that is criticizing the draft, there sure is a lot of interest in the top 10 or 15 picks," Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said.
If the Suns do keep the choice, it may be because they have found other means to maximize their flexibility.
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.
Some of that could come in Tuesday's expansion draft, when Charlotte will be enticed with cash and/or picks to take Jahidi White or Howard Eisley.
"It is our goal to get something done with Charlotte where it would greatly enhance our cap flexibility," Colangelo said.
Just Joshin'
Suns swingman Casey Jacobsen left a list at Stanford that has prepped Childress and other Cardinal players on just about everything in regard to draft workouts. But he could not prepare Childress for the stress and the confusion.
The Suns, set at small forward, did not plan to look at Childress but invited him Wednesday. He has visited or will visit every team between Nos. 2 and 10.
"The most stressful thing is you have no clue," Childress said.
The Suns wanted a better clue as to whether he could play shooting guard with his slender 6-foot-8 build. Childress, an outstanding rebounder, seems to fit under the "best player available" scenario.
"The guy's going to be a great player," D'Antoni said. "He's a great person. Whether he duplicates what we have at a couple positions, (that) could be. . . . He knows how to play. You'd like to have someone like that around five or six years."
Childress' Stanford teams never lost in Arizona, but his team success has little to do with his stock rising. Individual workouts and interviews have done that.
"I've shown I can play in a fast-break system, handle pressure, bang with guys and do all those things that they considered my weaknesses," he said.
Free throw
New assistant Alvin Gentry watched Wednesday's workout, which also included UCLA small forward Trevor Ariza and small forward Damir Omerhodzic from Croatia.
