After acquiring Kurt Thomas from the Knicks, the Phoenix Suns are looking to further add size and depth to their frontcourt. The Phoenix Suns are apparently set to sign unrestricted free agent forward Scott Padgett to a multi-year deal when contracts can be officially tendered next week.
The Suns can?t comment on any player transactions involving free agents until August 1st, but the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Padgett told Houston television station KRIV Thursday night that he is headed to Phoenix and is looking forward to playing with reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash.
A good shooter with good 3-point range for a big man, the 29-year-old Padgett just finished his sixth NBA season and second with the Rockets, averaging 4.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in about 14 minutes of playing time. He started four times in Houston?s loss to Dallas in the opening round of this year?s Western Conference playoffs, averaging 3.6 points.
Amare played too many minutes for the Suns last year in frontcourt that lacked depth. The Suns hope that Padgett can add some nice inside-outside skills to their team. He'll be a Restricted Free Agent in a 2007, where he can receive a Qualifying Offer, so the Suns continuously look to maintain a competitive team reflective of last year's spectacular Western Conference run, hoping Amare wouldn't jump ship.