Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 20, 2008 05:29 PM
The Suns are in trade talks this evening with a few teams, trying to acquire a wing player in a deal for a second-round pick before Thursday's trade deadline.
Phoenix could know by the end of the night whether they can work out a deal for a player like the Los Angeles Clippers'
Quinton Ross, Denver's
Yakhouba Diawara or Seattle's
Mickael Gelabale. Golden State's
Mickael Pietrus is also an outside possibility but he would come at a costlier price tag with a salary this season of about $3.5 million, which would be prorated for the season's remainder but would also add to the Suns' luxury tax hit.
Phoenix is seeking a wing player who is a versatile, strong defender and Ross fits that bill at a great price. Ross' salary is slightly more than $800,000 but offers defense, rebounding and ability to play in transition in a 6-foot-6, 193-pound frame. He has been a part-time starter over the past four seasons for the Clippers.
Diawara, a 25-year-old Frenchman, makes less than $700,000 and also has started some over the past two seasons for Denver, bringing strength in a 6-foot-7, 225-pound frame.
Gelabale, 6-feet-7 and 215 pounds, was a player Phoenix has liked since before he entered the league but has spent recent time in the D-League after playing in 70 games as a Seattle rookie in 2006-07. The athletic 24-year-old, who is also French, has a salary of about $800,000 this season.
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