According to an NBA source, the Suns, Warriors and Kings have contacted the Sonics with offers for Chris Wilcox in a sign-and-trade deal.

The Sonics want an All-Star caliber forward in return for Wilcox.

The Phoenix Suns added frontcourt depth today by signing unrestricted free-agent forward/center Sean Marks to a one-year contract.  

A seven-year NBA veteran, Marks joins his fifth NBA team (Toronto, Miami, Seattle, San Antonio) and has averaged 3.1 points and 2.0 rebounds in 9.6 minutes in 105 career games (signed a 10-day contract with the Sonics in the 2000-01 season, but did not play).

The 6-10, 250-pound forward/center enjoyed his best season in 2001-02 when he posted career highs of 4.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.2 minutes in 21 games with the Heat. Last season Marks, who turns 31 on Aug. 23, averaged 3.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.2 minutes in a career-high 25 games for the Spurs.  

Marks, who became the first native of New Zealand to play in the NBA when he made his debut with the Toronto Raptors vs. New Jersey on March 16, 1999, is the sixth international player on the Sun roster, joining Steve Nash (Canada), Boris Diaw (France), Leandro Barbosa (Brazil), Raja Bell (Virgin Islands) and Pat Burke (Ireland).

Charles Barkley is leaning towards the Democratic side of things of late and once again is considering a run at governor of Alabama.

"Alabama, that's my home. I'm thinking about running for governor; they need my help," the always quotable Charles Barkley said.

"What I've said is I'm rich like a Republican, but I'm not one," Barkley said in remarks reported by The Birmingham News.

Suns star Shawn Marion pulled out of contention for a spot on the 15-man roster that will be Japan-bound because of a left knee injury, ESPN's Andy Katz is reporting.

Players who don't make the trip aren't being cut from the overall national team program, which is a three-year commitment.

"The process [of picking the team] was great,'' Marion said. "Everybody feels a part of the family for all three years. If I'm not there, I'll still feel like I'm there cheering them on.''

"My knee has been bothering me a bit. I sat out the last two days of practice. I just came in here and got right into it. So, I'm going to check it out [Tuesday]. I'll make sure there's nothing wrong with it, rest it and take care of it.''

The 15 players who likely will return to Las Vegas on July 31 for exhibition games will be announced Tuesday morning at the Wynn Hotel.

Marion's departure trims the roster down to 17, leaving two more possible cuts -- likely Seattle point guard Luke Ridnour and former Gonzaga forward and Charlotte Bobcats first-round draft pick Adam Morrison.

That means the 15 players likely to travel to Asia are: Carmelo Anthony, Gilbert Arenas, Shane Battier, Chris Bosh, Bruce Bowen, Elton Brand, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller, Chris Paul, Amare Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade and Kirk Hinrich.

The coaching staff will meet Tuesday morning before the news conference to make the final call.

Ridnour looks to lose out to Chicago's Hinrich, and Morrison is up against veteran options.

The Phoenix Suns today signed unrestricted free-agent point guard Marcus Banks to a multi-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A three-year NBA veteran, Banks blossomed last season following a midseason trade to Minnesota. In 40 games with the Timberwolves, the 6-2, 200-pound playmaker averaged 12.0 points and 4.7 assists in 30.7 minutes per game, while starting the team?s final 28. He was acquired from the Boston Celtics in a seven-player trade on Jan. 26, 2006.

?We are really excited to bring Marcus Banks and his defensive abilities and quickness to our club,? Suns Head Coach and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Mike D?Antoni said.  ?We think he?ll be a big part of our success next season.?

RealGM's Christopher Reina has confirmed with Herb Rudoy, agent for Sergio Rodriguez, that the Spaniard has indeed signed his rookie contract with the Portland TrailBlazers.

The Blazers were able to complete a buyout of his contract with Spanish League club Adecco Estudiantes, according to Rudoy.

It was reported earlier in the month that the Blazers had initially hoped Rodriguez would remain in Spain instead of coming over for the 2006-2007 season, but the 6-3 point guard nicknamed 'Spanish Chocolate' will be joining fellow rookies LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy in Portland.

The Phoenix Suns selected Rodriguez with the 27th overall pick in last month?s draft, but he was quickly dealt to the Blazers for cash considerations.

Steve Nash showed up to a basketball camp in Vancouver on Wednesday with a new haircut.

The two-time MVP has eliminated his long-haired mop in exchange for a buzz cut.

"I just cut it," shrugged the Phoenix Suns star. "I don?t really have a rhyme or reason. I felt like taking it off."

Marcus Banks arrived in Phoenix on Tuesday night and came to terms with the Suns on a five-year contract worth about $21 million. The deal could be official as soon as Thursday.

"We're honored to be with the Suns and a hop, skip and a jump away," his father, Arthur, said. "We really feel like it's an ideal fit with the Suns' style. Marcus is so ecstatic about it."

"It could be really effective," Banks' agent, Michael Higgins, said. "He really likes D'Antoni. He told me he'd be thrilled just to learn from Steve Nash."

As the Phoenix Suns continue to search for a backup point guard to play behind MVP Steve Nash, their latest quest may lead them to Minnesota free agent Marcus Banks.

It would take a large chunk of Phoenix's $5.2 million midlevel exception to close the deal but probably would not be far removed from the $3.7 million salary that John Salmons turned down Thursday, according to the Arizona Republic.

Banks attracted initial interest from the Los Angeles Lakers until they signed Vladimir Radmanovic, Minnesota until it signed Mike James and Atlanta until it signed Speedy Claxton. Cleveland's interest also has cooled, leaving the Suns to duel with Houston and Miami. The Rockets also have all of their midlevel exception remaining.

John Lucas has parlayed his impressive play in the Vegas Summer League into quite a few offers for guaranteed NBA contracts. He is currently looking at no less then 5 offers for two-year guaranteed contracts from teams in search of a backup point guard.

The two teams believed to be in the lead currently are his current summer league club Houston as well as the Phoenix Suns, who like his potential to push the tempo of the game and run their dynamic offense behind Steve Nash.

Lucas is currently averaging 23.4 points per game in Las Vegas (2nd in the league) and 7.6 assists (1st in the league) on 51% shooting from the field and 43% from behind the NBA 3-point line.