Suns extend contracts of Barbosa, Diaw

[scotsman13]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-sunsmoves&prov=ap&type=lgns

PHOENIX (AP) -- The Phoenix Suns extended the contracts of guards Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw on Thursday and lowered their preseason roster to 15 players by waiving rookie guard Anthony Lever-Pedroza.

The team exercised the fourth-year options on the rookie-scale contracts of Barbosa and Diaw. Both players will be under contract through at least the 2006-07 season with the Suns holding the right of first refusal when the two become restricted free agents in summer 2007.

The 22-year-old Barbosa has averaged 7.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 133 games over two seasons with the Suns, including 52 starts.

Diaw was acquired from Atlanta in an Aug. 19 sign-and-trade deal that sent Joe Johnson to the Hawks. Diaw averaged 4.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 142 games (62 starts) in his first two seasons with Atlanta.

Lever-Pedroza, the son of former Arizona State and NBA star Lafayette ``Fat'' Lever, was signed by the Suns on Sept. 30 after playing two professional seasons in Mexico.

He appeared in three preseason games for Phoenix.

 

[panfolk]

Cool. While I doubt this will be a huge confidence boost for them it will at least keep their mind of their future with the team.

 

[George O'Brien]

I had zero doubt their options would be picked up.

 

[elindholm]

I had zero doubt their options would be picked up.

Pity you didn't save us some uncertainty by letting us know ahead of time. Don't be such a stranger.

 

[George O'Brien]

I had zero doubt their options would be picked up.

Pity you didn't save us some uncertainty by letting us know ahead of time. Don't be such a stranger.

Where's your smilely face?

Seriously, after posting a zillion Diaw pieces this summer and as many English translations of the Barbosa play with the Brazilian team I could find; it seemed obvious that their stock had risen a lot. Nothing during preseason changed that.

The only first round pick I can remember the Suns NOT taking the option on was CJ.

 

[Errntknght]

Elindholm, "Pity you didn't save us some uncertainty by letting us know ahead of time. Don't be such a stranger."

George, "Where's your smilely face?"


C'mon George, his last sentence was as big a clue as a smiley face. In fact it was overdoing it - enough that I looked a second time to make sure it was Eric posting.