In another story about why a team is sliding backwards, Bob Young of the Arizona Republic says the current Suns' slide may have started when Antonio McDyess bolted from the Suns to sign with Denver in 1999 after the lockout.

Their main moves since then (Tom Gugliotta, Luc Longley and Penny Hardaway) haven't worked out well.

This summer's trade of Jason Kidd for Stephon Marbury started a rebuilding project.  The project continued with the acquisition of Joe Johnson and Boston's first round draft pick for Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk.

"The results of this season, without question, are disappointing," Suns president Bryan Colangelo said. "Everyone anticipated more.  But by moving forward with the trade, it enables us to move along with that building process in a quicker time frame."