Dick Van Arsdale will always be the "Original Sun." The latest Sun has been a title in flux this summer.
The Dick Van Arsdale Conference Room probably hosted its last new player introduction Thursday when James Jones held up a No. 22 Suns jersey. The Suns' changes appear to be done with Jones' welcome, Michael Finley's choice of San Antonio and a more lucrative offer elsewhere for prospective addition Scott Padgett.
Padgett agreed to terms with Phoenix in late July but hesitated recently when Brian Grant accepted Phoenix's $1.68 million exception and the Suns pursued Jones and Finley. Padgett would have played in Phoenix for a veteran minimum deal, worth almost $1 million. He has received interest from the Clippers and Nuggets.
"I still leave the possibility open that he signs with us," Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said. "There's speculation that there'd be a richer deal for Scott out there."
Colangelo said the Suns likely will not give out any more guaranteed deals before camp starts Oct. 4. He expects to hold on to the $3.6 million trade exception as an in-season tool.
"There are some players out there that agents are looking to place in what they view as ideal situations," Colangelo said. "We're a target for a lot of those players. There are a lot of guys out there that are guaranteed contract-type players. Whether or not we commit to one of those guys is still unknown."