Sarver on payroll, trades & Nash

[Mr. Sun]

Amid speculation of this Sun going to that team or this other Sun being dealt to this other team, Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver said he would rather have players who are coveted by other teams than not have any trade rumors.

"We're not going to make a move to make a bad move," Sarver said. "We've got a year left and then we get some breathing room (under the salary cap). In this economy, everyone's salary is a concern in terms of everyone's business. Business is tough right now. There's no doubt about it. But that's the way it is for all teams. It's not like our team is disadvantaged from any other teams."

The Suns had the sixth largest payroll in the NBA last season, when they did not make the playoffs despite a 46-36 record.

"I don't mind having a big payroll if we're really good," Sarver said. "But you don't want to have a really big payroll and not be good. We've got to balance that out and see what all our opportunities are. So, yeah, am I prepared to pay the tax this year? Yeah, I am. But I want to have a good team."

What constitutes a good team?

"Being in the playoffs and having an opportunity to advance a little bit," Sarver said. "I mean L.A. is clearly the best team in the West. My guess is they'll be predicted to be No. 1 again next year. Putting them aside, you look at the rest of the teams and I think we should be competitive with them."

Sarver said staying put is an option, especially considering he thought the Suns had a good team at the end of last season before Amare Stoudemire's eye surgery. He expects GM Steve Kerr to explore trade opportunities with every team but said those phone calls to 29 teams are "far away from a trade happening."

The draft is the team's current priority. Once it is over, Steve Nash's contract extension will become a focus.

"We like Steve," Sarver said. "Steve likes us. We've got the makings to probably continue the relationship. It's worked out well for him. It's worked out well for us. It's been a win-win."

Nash wants to first see what the Suns offseason moves are going to be before agreeing to an extension. His agent said he would expect Nash to get a raise over his salary of $13,125,000 for the coming season.

"I'm looking for a raise," Sarver said. "Are you looking for a raise? You don't start out saying, 'Hey, you know boss, to be honest with you, why don't you cut my salary in half?' Everyone's looking for a raise. That'd be great. In the meantime right now, if you have a job and you've got a roof over your head and you still own your house, you're still doing pretty good."


http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/56044

[Mr. Sun]

Sarver sounds cheap?