Suns talking to Gary Payton

[fordronken]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0816suns0816.html

Suns get veteran post Grant at bargain price

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 16, 2005 12:00 AM

Brian Grant is well known in the NBA for his philanthropy, but his choice to play in Phoenix is no charitable endeavor.

The Suns snagged a bargain Monday by coming to terms with the veteran post player for a two-year deal, starting at the $1.67 million biannual exception and adding a player option for a second season. With Grant still collecting $29.8 million in the next two years as the Lakers' amnesty waiver choice, he will be this season's richest Suns player. The wealth, born from a seven-year, $80 million deal in 1999 with Miami, freed Grant to pick a fifth NBA stop for pure basketball reasons.

About 20 teams inquired about Grant, whose waiver allows the Lakers to avoid the luxury tax on his due salaries. He weighed Chicago, Miami, New York and Denver but chose Phoenix, which is expected to sign him Wednesday after he clears waivers.
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Grant spurned "much more" lucrative offers to be another veteran Suns banger with defensive and rebounding prowess, like fellow power forward/undersized center Kurt Thomas.

"It's a great franchise, no doubt about it, with the best record last year, a great point guard and a need (for a big man)," Grant's agent, Mark Bartelstein said.

It helped that Grant has a tremendous respect for Suns assistant Marc Iavaroni, who served on Pat Riley's bench for two of Grant's four years in Miami. Relatives in the Valley and a call from Steve Nash also swayed Grant.

Grant, 33, has carried a work ethic beyond reproach that made him productive for a decade in Sacramento, Portland and Miami. Chronic knee tendinitis and a preseason neck injury got the best of him last season. He still had the penchant for playing through pain after seven surgeries.

Grant was limited to career-low stats and a reserve role. In Phoenix, being a solid backup with hustle and leadership to support Amaré Stoudemire would suffice.

"He's totally healthy," Bartelstein said. "People don't understand that affected him last year. He'll have a terrific season. You can bank on that."

The Grant pickup did not cease efforts to land swingman Michael Finley as a means of soothing the departure of Joe Johnson, whose trade to Atlanta should close Friday. Finley was waived just before 9 p.m. Monday, the deadline for amnesty cuts, as Dallas could not trade him to the East.

Miami was considered the favorite, if not a lock by some insiders, because Stan Van Gundy coached him at Wisconsin, he has the same agent as Dwyane Wade and the Heat has all of its $5 million midlevel exception available. Like Phoenix's hole at shooting guard, Finley could start as Miami's small forward.

Those signals could have been a decoy benefiting Phoenix, the last team Dallas wanted to help again after seeing Nash leave last year.

San Antonio, Denver and Detroit are also interested with two to four times more money to offer than Phoenix. The Suns have Nash, his close friend, and can give his veteran minimum of $1,138,500 because they have no salary-cap room.

The Suns also have engaged in talks regarding free-agent point guard Gary Payton, who has publicly expressed interest in backing up Nash. However, landing Payton could require using the $4.9 million trade exception Phoenix will get in the Johnson trade.

Although five deals are not official, Phoenix figures to have eight new players in the mix. Only Nash, Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Jim Jackson and Leandro Barbosa are expected back.

 

[devilalum]

$5 million for The Mitten?


I know the Suns need a backup for Nash but ........

 

[sunsfn]

Geeeez, I hope no Gary Payton!

 

[coloradosun]

Geeeez, I hope no Gary Payton!

I agree, please no Payton. As I mentioned before, I think we need to add someone who can shoot, that way there is continuity at the position from the bench. Ideally, I would like to get Diener but would rather have Dickau than Payton.

 

[Amaretotheline_]

Is Dickau much of a shooter?


I also think the $1.9 million voskhul exception should be enough for payton.

 

[moviebuff316]

I think we need to gamble on payton. Everytime Nash went out the offense stunk. I think it is a good risk to take.

 

[devilalum]

I also think the $1.9 million voskhul exception should be enough for payton.

This I could live with but what else are the Celts gonna need to make it happen?

IMO a first rounder is too much. Maybe the Suns 2006 first rounder which may be the worst first round pick ever.

 

[Amaretotheline_]

The bobcats 2nd rounder should be enough.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm not high on Payton unless he can be obtained for a minimal offer like the Voshkuhl trade exception and a second round pick.

If I'm the Suns, I would only trade more for a quality young point guard or proven younger veteran.

I don't see Payton playing much more than another year or so.

I hope the Suns don't start over-paying now for an ageing player like Payton.

However, I do believe the Suns need a backup PG for Nash and have been singing this chorus since last year.

 

[Djaughe]

I guess...I'm in the minority...but I would love to see payton as a back-up. Of course I have no idea if he has any motor left in the engine...

 

[fordronken]

I've got to think that Gary Payton at this point in his career is capable of spelling Nash for 18 minutes a game and provide some ignition for the offense.

 

[Dr. Dumas]

I would love for the Suns to bring in Payton if the price is right.

When Nash sat down last year, I felt like the offense suffered. Barbosa/JJ/JJx are not a good fit for running the point guard duties, even for spot minutes. I believe that Payton would be perfect running the point while giving Nash more minutes to rest.

I'm not so worried about Payton's attitude. The only person on the team that had a fragile ego is now gone to Atlanta.

 

[devilalum]

I would love for the Suns to bring in Payton if the price is right.

When Nash sat down last year, I felt like the offense suffered. Barbosa/JJ/JJx are not a good fit for running the point guard duties, even for spot minutes. I believe that Payton would be perfect running the point while giving Nash more minutes to rest.

I'm not so worried about Payton's attitude. The only person on the team that had a fragile ego is now gone to Atlanta.

The Suns are in full WIN NOW mode and will not have minutes for players who are struggling to "develop." (Barbosa) They may need a legit backup for Nash.

 

[Mainstreet]

I've got to think that Gary Payton at this point in his career is capable of spelling Nash for 18 minutes a game and provide some ignition for the offense.

I think the primary issue for me is the asking price. If the price is right, why not?

However, if Payton's price is too high I would rather use a pick and a trade exception for a younger PG.

Also, the Suns may need their first round picks and the larger trade exception later in the season for a quality player being moved from a floundering team. Options like this usually occur every season.

 

[Chaplin]

I also like the idea of Gary Payton in a Suns uni. But I won't be heartbroken if he isn't brought in.

We don't need him to run full speed 30 minutes a night, but he can still run an offense and can still be a competent defender--definitely would anchor a capable 2nd unit.

1st Unit w/Finley:
KT
Amare
Shawn
Finley
Nash

2nd Unit:
Grant
Padgett
JJ2
Bell
Payton

Obviously, PF in the 2nd unit is a concern, but not that big of one, not with JJ2 and Bell being dynamic scorers and Payton running the offense.

 

[Djaughe]

I'm sure payton had to watch the the game inwhich jim j. lit up the spurs as nash's back up...

 

[arthurracoon]

I guess...I'm in the minority...but I would love to see payton as a back-up. Of course I have no idea if he has any motor left in the engine...

I would be happy with Payton for 18 mins a game leaving 30 for Nash!

 

[Dr. Dumas]

Payton has also said that he knows Nash runs the show and that he would be perfectly fine as a backup.

I really fell that this is a no brainer. Payton has always had a nasty streak about him that I liked. With Payton/KT and Grant, this team will not get pushed around.

Payton can still play D.

Saves Nash valuable time resting so he can be the difference maker in the end.

Still has passion for the game and he shows it. I don't like when he cries to the refs, but I will overlook that.

 

[Gaddabout]

Payton has very little juice left in his legs, but he can still post up smaller point guards. He would make a guy like Tony Parker really sweat on defense. On the other hand, Parker would probably leave Payton spinning in place when the Suns are on defense.

 

[Dr. Dumas]

Payton has very little juice left in his legs, but he can still post up smaller point guards. He would make a guy like Tony Parker really sweat on defense. On the other hand, Parker would probably leave Payton spinning in place when the Suns are on defense.

Parker leaves Nash spinning.

 

[devilalum]

Parker leaves Nash spinning.

Kurt Thomas will help with the Parker situation.

The reason Parker gets in the lane over and over is the double screens the Spurs set for him. God himself couldn't stop Parker when he's running though a double screen. Thomas is an experienced defender and will step out on some of these picks and stop Parker. Amare needs to help out as well.

 

[Joe Mama]

If the Phoenix Suns land Michael Finley I don't see where Gary Payton gets any playing time. If Finley goes elsewhere I wouldn't mind Payton. He's not The Glove anymore, but he still better defensively than Barbosa or Nash. He can definitely still run an offense. Boston pushed the ball a lot last year, and he can run in the open court.

Of course I wouldn't want to pay too much. I'm not even sure I would want to give up a first-round pick at this point. That's partially because I would like to see Diaw get some of the minutes as the backup point.

Joe Mama

 

[Treesquid PhD]

If the Phoenix Suns land Michael Finley I don't see where Gary Payton gets any playing time. If Finley goes elsewhere I wouldn't mind Payton. He's not The Glove anymore, but he still better defensively than Barbosa or Nash. He can definitely still run an offense. Boston pushed the ball a lot last year, and he can run in the open court.

Of course I wouldn't want to pay too much. I'm not even sure I would want to give up a first-round pick at this point. That's partially because I would like to see Diaw get some of the minutes as the backup point.

Joe Mama

I have been looking for a reason to like diaw, I may have found one if he keeps The Cancer from poisoning Amare and Maron.

 

[PakistaniRambo]

I also like the idea of Gary Payton in a Suns uni. But I won't be heartbroken if he isn't brought in.

We don't need him to run full speed 30 minutes a night, but he can still run an offense and can still be a competent defender--definitely would anchor a capable 2nd unit.

1st Unit w/Finley:
KT
Amare
Shawn
Finley
Nash

2nd Unit:
Grant
Padgett
JJ2
Bell
Payton

Obviously, PF in the 2nd unit is a concern, but not that big of one, not with JJ2 and Bell being dynamic scorers and Payton running the offense.

i like that lineup aside from the PF position. If we could make a run at a guy like Wilcox or Gooden i will be very happy

 

[Michael]

I'd love to see GP in a Suns uni!

As much as I liked JJ (no need for JJax or JimJ anymore ) as point guard I believe we will need him more as a backup for small forward and off guard this year.

Payton will never be a great shooter but can knock down some jumper from around the free throw line.
More important imo is his ability to run the fastbreak. I'm pretty aware my mind is mixing some mid-90s Sonics highlights (The Glove to the Reignman for the alley hooooop) with the wooden dummy trying to defend Chauncy Billups in the 2004 NBA Finals, but if he is somewhere in between I welcome him with arms wide open.