http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/0728suns0728.html
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 28, 2004 12:00 AM
The Suns' flight path is set, if only they could get off the runway.
Two weeks ago, Phoenix concocted potentially the league's deepest backcourt with the free-agent signing of point guard Steve Nash and an offer sheet agreement with shooting guard Quentin Richardson. Those two would join Joe Johnson and Leandro Barbosa - if the Suns ever get clearance to take off with Richardson.
The Los Angeles Clippers have the right to match the Suns' six-year, $44 million offer to Richardson, a restricted free agent. They had 15 days to mull their options before Thursday's deadline, and being a Pacific Division foe, they have been in no hurry to show Phoenix their hand early.
In the interim, the Suns lost shots at centers Greg Ostertag and Vlade Divac, free-agent centers who signed elsewhere.
The Clippers have been looking for a pure shooting guard. They already have a swingman, Corey Maggette, with skills similar to Richardson's.
They have shown interest in trading for New Jersey guard Kerry Kittles. Without a deal of some kind today or Thursday, Richardson likely will play for the Clippers again. He seems to know that, too, having backed off earlier statements urging LA to let him go.
The Clippers, with only six players under contract and two draft picks, would much rather match the Suns' offer than be left with nothing after creating all of that salary-cap space in their Kobe Bryant chase.
If the Clippers keep Richardson, Phoenix would have about $5.8 million of cap space to either use in a dwindling free-agent pool or hold onto as a chip in a possible trade for a center.
"If it (acquiring Richardson) happens, we'll be ecstatic," Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said. "If it doesn't, then there are other options that will be attractive."
Free-agent centers have drawn top dollar in the off-season, with Mehmet Okur, Adonal Foyle and Mark Blount all receiving long-term deals in excess of $40 million.
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 28, 2004 12:00 AM
The Suns' flight path is set, if only they could get off the runway.
Two weeks ago, Phoenix concocted potentially the league's deepest backcourt with the free-agent signing of point guard Steve Nash and an offer sheet agreement with shooting guard Quentin Richardson. Those two would join Joe Johnson and Leandro Barbosa - if the Suns ever get clearance to take off with Richardson.
The Los Angeles Clippers have the right to match the Suns' six-year, $44 million offer to Richardson, a restricted free agent. They had 15 days to mull their options before Thursday's deadline, and being a Pacific Division foe, they have been in no hurry to show Phoenix their hand early.
In the interim, the Suns lost shots at centers Greg Ostertag and Vlade Divac, free-agent centers who signed elsewhere.
The Clippers have been looking for a pure shooting guard. They already have a swingman, Corey Maggette, with skills similar to Richardson's.
They have shown interest in trading for New Jersey guard Kerry Kittles. Without a deal of some kind today or Thursday, Richardson likely will play for the Clippers again. He seems to know that, too, having backed off earlier statements urging LA to let him go.
The Clippers, with only six players under contract and two draft picks, would much rather match the Suns' offer than be left with nothing after creating all of that salary-cap space in their Kobe Bryant chase.
If the Clippers keep Richardson, Phoenix would have about $5.8 million of cap space to either use in a dwindling free-agent pool or hold onto as a chip in a possible trade for a center.
"If it (acquiring Richardson) happens, we'll be ecstatic," Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said. "If it doesn't, then there are other options that will be attractive."
Free-agent centers have drawn top dollar in the off-season, with Mehmet Okur, Adonal Foyle and Mark Blount all receiving long-term deals in excess of $40 million.
