Phoenix may host another NBA All-Star Game, as early as 2009, owner Robert Sarver said on Monday.

"I think we're the leading candidate for it," Sarver said. "I think we'll know in the next 30 days. My guess is they're talking to two or three other teams."

New Orleans is set to host the 2008 game this coming February.

Phoenix also hosted the 1975 and 1995 All-Star Games. The East beat the West in the 1975 game, with the New York Knicks' Walt Frazier named MVP.

In 1995, the West won 139-112. Then-Sacramento Kings' guard Mitch Richmond was the MVP.

Chris Wilcox scored 27 points but fifth draft pick Jeff Green sprained his ankle in the Seattle SuperSonics' 121-108 win over the Phoenix Suns in the exhibition finale for both teams Friday night.

Steve Nash's return to his home province was the first NBA game in Vancouver since 2001, when the Grizzlies moved to Memphis.

Amare Stoudemire had an encouraging 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Suns and Nash had a preseason-high 12 assists while wowing an adoring crowd that sold out General Motors Place for something other than Canucks' hockey.

Green sprained his left ankle early in the second half. The rookie from Georgetown, starting because Kevin Durant was already back in Seattle with his own sprained left ankle, went to the locker room for treatment. He then returned to finish the third period before leaving for the night with 13 points.

Durant, the second overall pick, spent Friday shooting and walking on a treadmill. New coach P.J. Carlesimo said Durant, his rookie shooting guard who turned the ankle late in a game Tuesday, was upbeat and feeling better. Yet Carlesimo didn't know whether Durant will be ready for the opener Wednesday at Denver. Doctors hope to have a better idea after the team returns to practice Sunday.

The Phoenix Suns waived guard Richie Frahm, the team announced on Wednesday.  

Frahm appeared in two preseason games with the Suns, averaging 6.0 points and 2.0 assists in 10.0 minutes.

Phoenix Suns' General Manager Steve Kerr was among the hundreds of thousands forced to evacuate from their homes because of advancing wildfires.

Kerr said his family was evacuated Monday morning from their home in Rancho Santa Fe, north of San Diego.

"There have been about 30 homes in our neighborhood that have burned down," Kerr told KTAR radio in a telephone interview from San Diego on Tuesday night. "We've been lucky to this point. Our house is still standing, and apparently things have taken a turn for the better. We look like we're in good shape right now, but there's still a ways to go so it's a little scary.

The former University of Arizona star and longtime NBA sharpshooter said several of his friends lost their homes.

"It's unbelievable of the magnitude of it all," Kerr said. "We're all the way downtown probably 20 miles from the fire now, and there's still ash everywhere on the streets down here."

Amare Stoudemire announced his return to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night with a few thunderous dunks to the delight of several thousand fans at a public scrimmage.

"It went great. I felt good out there," he said afterward. "I felt healthy. I felt strong. I've just got to get in a little better shape, and I'll be OK."

Stoudemire had not practiced since undergoing minor arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Oct. 2. It was his left knee that was the subject of microfracture surgery, and he missed all but three games in the 2005-06 season.

The Suns will be without guard Leandro Barbosa for at least the final two preseason games after the Brazilian guard suffered bruised ribs in Sunday?s preseason win over Charlotte in Los Angeles.

Barbosa took an elbow to the ribs in the final minute of the game. He will miss Thursday?s home preseason game against Denver at US Airways Center and will not fly with the team to Vancouver for Friday?s preseason finale against Seattle. The Suns said the injury isn?t believed to be serious, and Barbosa should be OK when the regular season begins on Nov. 1 in Seattle.

Agent Mark Bartelstein said Friday that free-agent power forward P.J. Brown has no immediate plans to resume his career. Brown had attracted Heat interest after remaining unsigned at the start of training camp.

"He is not interested right now in playing," Bartelstein said. "He's focusing on spending time with his family. I've told people, 'Don't wait on him.' That doesn't mean he doesn't reserve the right to change his mind in January or February."

The Suns cut free agents Doug Thomas and Rawle Marshall after their loss against the Hornets Saturday night.

A week after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, Amar? Stoudemire was jogging on a weightless treadmill Monday ? holding up 50 percent of his body weight ? and it appears he won?t be out any longer than the initially projected two- or three-week time span.

With the limited post-surgery swelling now mostly gone, and his range of motion returning, this rate of progress would allow Stoudemire to be back on the floor in two weeks and likely be able to take part in the final week of preseason games.

?We?re right on track and I?m feeling good,? Stoudemire said. ?If we stay on this schedule, I should be back for a couple of preseason games. I need that and I?d like to get a couple games under my belt, but if we have to wait until we?re playing for real we won?t take any chances.?

Both Leandro Barbosa and Marcus Banks drew raves this week for how they practiced. Suns assistant Dan D'Antoni said Barbosa had his best practice ever Wednesday because he was always in the right place defensively.

Coach Mike D'Antoni was impressed with Banks as he showed a newfound comfort for the style and his teammates.

"Last year, it was all brand new," Banks said. "It comes with experience. I've got a year under my belt. I know what to expect. In this offense, you can't think too much. You just let your instincts take over.