Brian Grant to the Suns

[SacTownKid]

Brian Grant to the Suns according to the Arizona Republic.

Suns to sign Brian Grant

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 16, 2005 12:00 AM [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Veteran power forward Brian Grant has agreed to terms to join the Phoenix Suns, according to his agent.

Grant, 33, will tie up loose ends of the deal Tuesday but will not be able to sign with Phoenix until he clears waivers Wednesday afternoon. Grant accepted a deal for the Suns' largest available sum, a $1.67 million biannual exception, and will have a player option for a second year in the contract.

Grant turned down "much more" lucrative offers elsewhere to be in Phoenix.

"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)," Bartelstein said. "We think it's a terrific fit."

Grant has played 11 seasons in the NBA with Sacramento, Portland and the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent an injury-riddled year last season. At 6 feet 9 and 254 pounds, Grant is known for his defensive and rebounding prowess with career averages of 10.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He only had eight starts last year, down from 76 in 2003-2004, and had career lows in scoring (3.8) and rebounding (3.7) averages.[/font]

 

[SacTownKid]

Looks like no Fin in Phoenix.

 

[Kings113]

I guess this gives them a bit of depth at PF/C, though the guy is not much what he was. Certainly won't be involved in those trackmeets with Nash/Marion/Stoudemire.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

why sign w/ the suns when he could've went to the heat??

 

[Kings113]

He'll get more time in Phoenix. Suns bench is still weak too.

 

[AriesMar27]

that makes no sense..... is zo coming back to the heat?

 

[HndsmCelt]

that makes no sense..... is zo coming back to the heat?

NO sensable GM is going to put much faith in Zo at this point. IF he can play great, but you HAVE to plan for his absence.

 

[BigSong]

Looks like no Fin in Phoenix.

why?

 

[Kings113]

Because the suns used the bi-annual (LLE?) exception on Grant. 1.76 million, 2-years, 2nd year has an option of some kind. They used the MLE on Bell (5-year 29 million), and now have the vet. mininum left to use.

 

[Kev.in]

Brian Grant is washed up, he won't do anything for them. They probably got word from Finley or his representation that he would be going somewhere else so the Suns made this move just to use their LLE, make sure they got someone signed with it before it's too late.

 

[Bricklayer]

Because the suns used the bi-annual (LLE?) exception on Grant. 1.76 million, 2-years, 2nd year has an option of some kind. They used the MLE on Bell (5-year 29 million), and now have the vet. mininum left to use.

Well, thing is though that I think the vet min is something like $1.1 million itself, so while Finley certainly has a lot of suitors, not sure if the difference between $1.1 mil and $1.7mil is going to be that big a deciding factor to a guy who's worth $100mil (or whatever) and is due to be paid another $50mil over the next 10 years.

 

[Bricklayer]

Also was an article this morning mentioning that the Suns are talking to Gary Payton as well, but might have to use the $4.9mil trade exception they got in the JJ trade. Not sure how that's suposed to work with a FA -- maybe a sign and trade? Adn so might not apply to Finley now that he's been released. But if if it is generally applicabel then it sounds like with that exception Phoenix still basically has its MLE to spend.

 

[Chris Cobb]

^^^^

i think that would be a lot to give up for the suns to get GP, who i dont even see as a good fit in the Suns system. i dont see him deferring to Nash as much as the suns would like everybody on the team to do.

 

[Kings113]

Well, thing is though that I think the vet min is something like $1.1 million itself, so while Finley certainly has a lot of suitors, not sure if the difference between $1.1 mil and $1.7mil is going to be that big a deciding factor to a guy who's worth $100mil (or whatever) and is due to be paid another $50mil over the next 10 years.

Ooh, well maybe then.

Also forgot about the trade excpetion the Suns got. But I think the Suns will use it on a PG, because they're biggest weakness last year was no solid back-up, as Barbosa proved to be inconsistent. While Johnson played it for spurts. Is still their biggest weakness on their weak bench as well.

But Denver hasn't done anything yet, and still have their MLE. Their only need is an SG w/ proven outside scoring, obviously they have Lenard, but I doubt he's who they'd plan on starting when October rolls around.

 

[Kings113]

^^^^

i think that would be a lot to give up for the suns to get GP, who i dont even see as a good fit in the Suns system. i dont see him deferring to Nash as much as the suns would like everybody on the team to do.

Arizona Republic - The Suns also have engaged in talks regarding free-agent point guard Gary Payton, who has publicly expressed interest in backing up Steve Nash

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/37024/20050816/suns_in_talks_with_gary_payton/

 

[Ryan]

Who's going to fill in Joes' spot?

 

[jacobdrj]

Hmm, I am a big supporter of Kurt Thomas as the most consistant Knick over the past many years. I thought Brian Grant had his day... but it is too late for Kurt and Brian. While having the 2 makes less the risk that both would be out of commission by the end of the season, I think the both of them are well past their respective primes, and will only hurt their new team with lack of mobility.

 

[Mad D]

Who's going to fill in Joes' spot?

Jimmy Jackson and Raja Bell

 

[Kings113]

Raja Bell will be starter, Suns used their MLE on him, 5-year deal. Plus with that Manu talk back in early July. Jackson will continue to be the bench.

 

[Fillmoe]

bell is a great defender he will mos def be a starter

 

[SacTownKid]

Well, thing is though that I think the vet min is something like $1.1 million itself, so while Finley certainly has a lot of suitors, not sure if the difference between $1.1 mil and $1.7mil is going to be that big a deciding factor to a guy who's worth $100mil (or whatever) and is due to be paid another $50mil over the next 10 years.

I hear Finley will get the full MLE somewhere.

 

[Kings113]

Denver or Miami, I would think. Moreso Denver because of the starting job, Phoenix, who knows. Maybe.

 

[Venom]

Hmm, I am a big supporter of Kurt Thomas as the most consistant Knick over the past many years. I thought Brian Grant had his day... but it is too late for Kurt and Brian. While having the 2 makes less the risk that both would be out of commission by the end of the season, I think the both of them are well past their respective primes, and will only hurt their new team with lack of mobility.

Grant is still a good positional defender, which is all that matters when you have Amare coming weakside. Basically, the Suns don't want Amare guarding the other team's best big man, EVER. He gets in foul trouble. Let him come weakside and use his athleticism though, and he could be a game changing defender.