Suns may not give up pick any time soon
By Johnny Ludden
San Antonio Express-News
Web Posted : 01/24/2004 12:00 AM
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns are going to have to make a considerable jump in the standings if the Spurs are to acquire their first-round pick this season.
On the night of last summer's draft, the Spurs selected point guard Leandro Barbosa in a prearranged deal, then traded his rights to Phoenix for a future conditional first-round pick. The pick is protected through the 24th selection this season, so the Suns do not have to send it to the Spurs unless they are drafting from Nos. 25-29.
After this year, the pick is protected through No. 20 for the following five seasons. If the Spurs haven't already received the pick, they will get it for the 2010 draft no matter where Phoenix is scheduled to draft.
Rather than possibly wait that long, the Suns have discussed instead sending the Spurs a lottery-protected first-round pick they acquired from Cleveland. If the Spurs agree to the deal, they would receive the pick the first year the Cavaliers qualify for the playoffs.
The Spurs made the deal with Phoenix last summer because they wanted to clear as much salary-cap room as possible to pursue free agents.
http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=200&xlc=1118506
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By Johnny Ludden
San Antonio Express-News
Web Posted : 01/24/2004 12:00 AM
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns are going to have to make a considerable jump in the standings if the Spurs are to acquire their first-round pick this season.
On the night of last summer's draft, the Spurs selected point guard Leandro Barbosa in a prearranged deal, then traded his rights to Phoenix for a future conditional first-round pick. The pick is protected through the 24th selection this season, so the Suns do not have to send it to the Spurs unless they are drafting from Nos. 25-29.
After this year, the pick is protected through No. 20 for the following five seasons. If the Spurs haven't already received the pick, they will get it for the 2010 draft no matter where Phoenix is scheduled to draft.
Rather than possibly wait that long, the Suns have discussed instead sending the Spurs a lottery-protected first-round pick they acquired from Cleveland. If the Spurs agree to the deal, they would receive the pick the first year the Cavaliers qualify for the playoffs.
The Spurs made the deal with Phoenix last summer because they wanted to clear as much salary-cap room as possible to pursue free agents.
http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=200&xlc=1118506