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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss what the Suns might do when the NBA free agency period begins Friday night.
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Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Greg Moore discuss the Chris Paul trade and the fallout from Miguel Montero’s comments.
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Phoenix Suns GM Ryan McDonough and Josh Jackson discuss why the team’s No. 4 overall pick decided not to work out for the Celtics, who had the No. 3 pick.
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azcentral sports columnist Greg Moore questions Josh Jackson about his off-court legal issues.
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Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley, talk Suns pick Josh Jackson and NHL Dave Tippett being let go from the Arizona Coyotes.
Diana Payan/azcentral.com
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Josh Jackson brings athleticism and defense and Haller and Bordow talk fit and excitement from Talking Stick Arena.
Patrick Breen/azcentral.com
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The Phoenix Suns selected Kansas SF Josh Jackson with the No. 4 pick in the NBA draft.
Wochit
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azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Mark Faller discuss the mental readiness of young athletes stepping into the NBA and an underrated player in Thursday’s NBA draft.
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Suns GM Ryan McDonough addresses trade rumors surrounding his team and the No. 4 NBA draft pick.
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Sarah McLellan and Dan Bickley talk Lakers and potential trades with the Suns involving Lonzo Ball, and which golfers to watch at the U.S. Open.
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Zach Collins, from Gonzaga, discusses his performance in the Suns’ pre-draft workout, Tuesday, June 13, 2017. Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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Phoenix Suns Assistant GM Pat Connelly describes Zach Collins’ pre-draft workout, Tuesday, June 13, 2017. Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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The Cleveland Cavaliers needed an all-time performance to beat the Golden State Warriors and force a Game 5.
USA TODAY Sports
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Oregon’s Jordan Bell talks about his pre-draft workout with the Phoenix Suns, June 9, 2017. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
Wochit
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Phoenix Suns Assistant GM Pat Connelly talks about his impressions of Jordan Bell from the pre-draft workouts, June 9, 2017. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
Wochit
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Phoenix Suns prospects do a three-minute run during a pre-NBA draft workout, with Oregon’s Jordan Bell leading the way, June 9, 2017. Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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Tim Kempton Jr., from Lehigh University, talks about his Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout, June 9, 2017. Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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Andrew White III talks about his pre-draft workout with the Suns, June 9, 2017. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
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Suns Assistant GM Pat Connelly discusses Tim Kempton Jr. and Andrew White III during a pre-draft workout, June 9, 2017. Andrew Vailliencourt/azcentral sports
Wochit
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Scott Bordow discuss the upcoming NBA draft and the drama surrounding the Lakers’ pick. Could they pass on Lonzo Ball?
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James and the shaky status of Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin.
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Oregon’s Dillon Brooks discusses working out for the Phoenix Suns on June 7, 2017.
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Former Paradise Valley star Paul Watson talks about working out for the Phoenix Suns on June 7, 2017.
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Pat Connelly discusses the Phoenix Suns’ workout on Wednesday, June 7, 2017.
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Kentucky’s Malik Monk discusses his fit with the Suns after his workout on June 6, 2017.
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Pat Connelly discusses Malik Monk’s shooting performance at the Kentucky guard’s workout on June 6, 2017.
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Watch Kentucky’s Malik Monk runs the -3 minute drill at the end of his workout with the Suns on June 6, 2017.
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Semi Ojeleye discusses the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Luke Kornet discusses the Phoenix Suns’ workout on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Kennedy Meeks discusses the Phoenix Suns’ workout on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Kobi Simmons, a guard from Arizona, talks during the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout on Monday, May 29, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Josh Hart, a guard from Villanova, talks about being part of the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout on Monday, May 29, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss Lonzo Ball skipping a Celtics workout and a dark-horse pick for the Suns at No. 4.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and JJ Hensley discuss the Suns draft as well as ‘The Bartender,’ the key reliever for the Diamondbacks.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss the NBA lottery and the ASU football quarterback situation.
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azcentral sports’ Doug Haller and Dan Bickley discuss Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery, in which the Suns fell to the No. 4 overall pick, at Talking Stick Resort Arena. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports
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Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough discusses the Suns earning the No. 4 overall selection in next month’s draft at the team’s NBA draft lottery party at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Tuesday. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley talk NBA lottery picks and a team that might be eyeing the Diamondbacks’ Zack Greinke.
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With a top-five pick and five players with star potential, the Suns are in a good place. But how has each selection shown success?
Wochit
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Suns star guard Devin Booker went to Navarrete Elementary School to surprise student Noah Smith with a trip to the NBA draft lottery in New York City on Friday. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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LaVar Ball won’t affect whether the Lakers select his son Lonzo in the upcoming NBA draft, Lakers president Magic Johnson told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.
Time_Sports
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Lonzo Ball’s signature shoes garnered a lot of attention when they were first released. But the sales numbers suggest the sneakers aren’t selling as well as the Big Baller Brand would like.
USA TODAY Sports
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As the Suns look to rebuild through the NBA draft, they are looking to Golden State and Oklahoma City as examples of how to do it right.
Wochit
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller discuss how Boston Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas has become one of the best players in the NBA and who the Suns want in the NBA draft.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley talk about the possibility of the NBA draft lottery is rigged and an updated on Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington on Friday. Diana Payan/azcentral
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the Rockets’ explosion against the Spurs and a possible pitching implosion for the Diamondbacks.
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The Suns are guaranteed to have a Top 5 NBA draft pick. Here are some players they could take.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss Kevin Durant and the Warriors as well as Zack Greinke’s start against the Padres.
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Several former Phoenix Suns players are in the NBA playoffs.
Wochit
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Take a look at the Suns players that have guaranteed contracts for next season.
Wochit
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Suns coach Earl Watson takes questions from the press at an end-of-season gathering at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Suns guard Devin Booker discusses the 2016-17 season and how his team can improve throughout the offseason on Wednesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Video by Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Doug Haller sums up interviews with Phoenix Suns management and players at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Breaking down the top five moments in Suns guard Devin Booker’s season.
Wochit
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Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley disagree on the NBA MVP and share their thoughts on the D-Backs’ hot start.
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Suns guard Devin Booker discusses his 70-point game against the Boston Celtics.
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What to expect from Suns in NBA free agency
CP3 joins Harden; Miggy’s mouth misfires
Why did Josh Jackson not work out for Boston?
Suns draft pick Josh Jackson on his off-court issues
Shot Clock: NBA hires and NHL fires
Doug Haller and Scott Bordow talk about Suns pick Josh Jackson
Phoenix Suns select Josh Jackson with No. 4 pick in NBA draft
Shot Clock: Searching for intangibles in NBA draft prospects
Ryan McDonough addresses trade rumors
Shot Clock: Lakers and Lonzo Ball proposal possibly fizzling out?
Gonzaga’s Zach Collins talks Suns workout
Suns Assistant GM Pat Connelly describes Zach Collins’ workout
NBA Finals: Cavs avoid sweep with historic performance
Jordan Bell talks Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout
Suns Assistant GM Pat Connelly talks Jordan Bell, pre-draft workouts
Phoenix Suns’ three-minute run workout
Tim Kempton Jr. at Suns workout
Andrew White III talks Suns pre-draft workout
Suns Assistant GM talks Tim Kempton Jr., Andrew White III
Shot Clock: Lakers thinking Josh Jackson?
Shot Clock: Nice shot, KD, but LeBron’s still best
Dillon Brooks breaks down his Suns workout
Paradise Valley’s Paul Watson on Suns workout
Suns Assistant GM breaks down Wednesday workout
Malik Monk breaks down his Suns workout
Suns assistant GM on Malik Monk’s workout
Malik Monk runs 3-minute drill at Suns workout
Semi Ojeleye, forward from SMU, on Suns’ workout
Luke Kornet, center from Vanderbilt, on Suns’ workout
Kennedy Meeks, center from North Carolina, on Suns’ workout
Kobi Simmons, guard from Arizona, during the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout
Villanova’s Josh Hart at the Phoenix Suns pre-draft workout
Shot Clock: Lonzo Ball can’t blame dad for this one
Shot Clock: Suns, don’t worry, take Josh Jackson
Shot Clock: Lottery therapy; ASU’s starting QB?
Doug Haller and Dan Bickley recap Suns’ misfortune in NBA draft lottery
Suns GM McDonough: ‘A little bit of disappointment’ but odds favored No. 4
Shot Clock: Suns fight AZ’s bad lottery luck
What can Suns expect with top-five pick?
Devin Booker surprises young fan with trip to NBA draft lottery
Lakers say LaVar Ball won’t influence decision on Lonzo
LaVar Ball’s shoe line has poor first week of sales
Suns look to emulate Warriors, Thunder in rebuild
Shot Clock: Ex-Suns player Isaiah Thomas shines
Shot Clock: Is the NBA draft lottery rigged?
Shot Clock: Rockets sizzle, D-Backs fizzle?
NBA mock drafts: Popular picks for Phoenix Suns
Shot Clock: Kevin Durant closer to a ring
Familiar faces: Notable former Suns in NBA playoffs
Notable Suns player salaries for 2017-18
Suns coach Watson wraps up season at press conference
Devin Booker: ‘I want to be a winner’
Doug Haller wraps up Suns’ 2016-17 season
Top 5 Devin Booker moments of 2016-17 season
Shot Clock: NBA MVP and surprising D-Backs
Devin Booker on his 70-point night
With the start of free agency approaching, the Suns positioned themselves to accelerate their rebuilding time frame, scheduling a Saturday meeting with Clippers star Blake Griffin in Los Angeles.
As it turns out, it won’t happen.
According to multiple reports, Griffin on Friday reached an agreement with the Clippers on a max five-year deal worth $173 million. USA Today reported that Griffin’s camp already had canceled the power forward’s meeting with the Suns.
All along, this was the predicted outcome. Despite concerns about his health, the Clippers reportedly made Griffin a priority in the wake of the Chris Paul trade to Houston. Just as important: They also were in position to give the five-time All-Star the most money.
The most the Suns – or anyone else– could offer was four years, $130 million. In most cases, the team that can pay the most wins. That made Phoenix a long shot from the start.
As of Friday night, the Suns still expected to meet with Atlanta forward Paul Millsap on Sunday. A four-time All-Star, Millsap is one of the higher-profile players in this free-agent class. Last season, the 32-year-old averaged a career-high 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Hawks would like to keep Millsap but maybe not at the highest cost. With the salary cap set at $99 million, Millsap is eligible for a max contract of five years for $201 million with the Hawks and four years, $149 million with another team.
The New York Daily News reported that Denver and Minnesota were early frontrunners for Millsap, but Phoenix and Sacramento also were in the mix. Millsap reportedly will meet with Denver on Saturday. Although teams can reach agreements with free agents, deals cannot be finalized until July 7.
In addition to frontcourt experience, the Suns seek leaders.
Coach Earl Watson played that role late in his career – mentoring players like Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum in Portland – and it’s something he values greatly as a coach. The Suns last season had solid leaders in center Tyson Chandler and Ronnie Price, but they lost a respected voice at the trade deadline when P.J. Tucker left for Toronto.
The Free-agency period started Friday night.
The Suns first planned to contact their own free agents – center Alex Len, forward Alan Williams and Price. The Suns recently extended qualifying offers to both Len and Williams, which gave them matching rights should the big men receive other offers.
According to ESPN.com, the Knicks on Friday reached out to Williams, who is coming off a breakout season of sorts. After spending most of the first half on the bench, the 6-8 forward moved into the Suns’ rotation and averaged 11.4 points and 9.1 rebounds after the All-Star break.
In other NBA news:
- Golden State star Stephen Curry reportedly agreed to stay with the Warriors for the richest contract in NBA history, a super max deal of five years for $201 million.
- Golden State’s Andre Iguodala was scheduled to meet with the Spurs as soon as the free-agency period started, ESPN.com reported. The key reserve also was expected to meet with the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets.
- Clippers guard J.J. Redick is interested in joining the Rockets, The Los Angeles Times reported. Philadelphia and Brooklyn also are options to sign Redick in the $16-18 million range. Minnesota also could be in the mix.
- Minnesota traded point guard Ricky Rubio to Utah for a 2018 first-round draft pick. The Timberwolves later reportedly agreed to terms with Indiana point guard Jeff Teague, three years for $57 million.
- In a blockbuster, the Indiana Pacers traded Paul George to Oklahoma City for guard Victor Oladipo and forward Domantas Sabonis.
YOUR TAKE: Blake Griffin to the Phoenix Suns?
NOTES: Bender, Chriss to play for Suns in Vegas summer league
Contact Doug Haller at 602-444-4949 or at [email protected]. Follw him at Twitter.com/DougHaller.
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