<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The team struck the first deal of the free-agency period on Friday, coming to an agreement in principle with free agent Raja Bell. "Raja Bell intends to sign a contract with the Suns when the moratorium ends," his agent, Herb Rudoy, told ESPN Insider Chad Ford. "Raja really wanted to play with Steve Nash and saw a great opportunity to do just that." The Suns will sign Bell with part of their mid-level exception. Last year the exception was for $4.9 million and is expected to go up slightly this year. Suns GM Bryan Colangelo declined comment on the story, citing league policy that prohibits NBA teams from commenting on free-agent negotiations during the moratorium. Bell and the Suns can make things official on July 22, when the moratorium is lifted.</div> ESPN.com This is a solid pick up for Phoenix. Raja Bell can run the floor and play hard-nosed defense. He also shot 40.3% from downtown last season with the Jazz. This is a nice move to add depth to their roster I just think that signing another big man is more valuable, though.
Damn, the Suns are just loading up on defensive specialists this summer. This was a strong pickup for Phoenix and should get them right back in the WCF against the Spurs.
I think this is a great pickup for the Suns. You can definitly see that they need defense to win a championship & are obviouly trying to do something about that.
We also needed depth last year, so here it is, lol. They should just sign Finley, or Stro Swift and i'll be very happy.
Good sign, Raja Bell is a solid veteran who can come off the bench and give you a decent contribution some how. Phx is definitely stepping in the right direction they need to sign some role players because the bench is definitely thin.
Raja has pretty good range and he can defend. Sort of like a more defensive minded Q. This is definitely a great pick up for the Suns.
He would be like pur #9 guys... it's not a big deal. I don't know if you notice but this team didnt really need points last year... Jim Jackson will get more playing time and he did better than Q.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mcvocal:</div><div class="quote_post">now that we have agreement with bell is there any chance left that suns will try sign finley?</div> I doubt it. They will try to sign a big man with the remaining money they have.
The Suns have really improved in a big way. Last year Defense, rebounding and depth killed them, and right now they are becoming alot better at all of those. If they can snag Finley, this team will have amazing depth, but I do think they need a pure PG to back Nash up, maybe Payton if he isn't in Jail. they could have these guys coming off the bench Bell Finley Jackson Hunter- but I here he has gotten alot of interest
Assuming Hunter will not be back, and Jake Voskul is opting out (I'm sure Suns fans could careless), the Suns should look to add another frontcourt player. I think Cliff Robinson would be a nice pickup if the Suns lose Hunter. Personally I think Hunter should return to the Suns, this team fits his skill set perfectly. But if money is more important than winning for Hunter, then the Suns are better off not wanting him back.
Actually I do care that Voskuhl is leaving. He was a hard worker and played great as our starter a couple years ago... They will trade him and use the money they save plus the 1.6 mil. they have now to sign a player or 2. That's what I think...
The Suns still need another legit big man to man the paint and serve as a defensive presence...they also need a legit backup PG as well...Bell is a nice defender who is a good percentage shooter, but I would not give him minutes over Jim Jackson...Jackson is more physical, a better rebounder and a better offensive scorer...the Suns need more height, especially considering that Hunter might be on his way out...
Raja is definetly behind Jackson but he will get good minutes. Like I said in another post the Suns might get Dale Davis cheap, he would be perfect. As for the point guard I think Barbosa can finally step up to his potential this year. If he doesen't I will be very dissapointed.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Assuming Hunter will not be back, and Jake Voskul is opting out (I'm sure Suns fans could careless), the Suns should look to add another frontcourt player. I think Cliff Robinson would be a nice pickup if the Suns lose Hunter. Personally I think Hunter should return to the Suns, this team fits his skill set perfectly. But if money is more important than winning for Hunter, then the Suns are better off not wanting him back.</div> Money, it seems, is the mind set of almost every NBA player now. I don't think these young players realize how HARD it is to get on a good team and even see the WCF. SOme players are on loosing teams all their careers.
their backcourt is again becoming very crowded. nash/barbosa at the point jj/jj2/bell at shoting guard... althoug i see both jj's playing maybe a bit of small forward if we rest the matrix maybe its not such a bad idea not to bring in payton as he is older every year and would probably slow down suns... this is make or break year for barbosa but he needs playing time.. i see suns puting their trust in barbosa rather than in payton
I know I'm a bit late on this, but the Suns have done a good job this off season in adding defensive talent to there already offensively talented team. I guess they figured out in the western conference finals to contend for a title they would need defense or they would just become a younger version of the Dallas Mavs. In terms of going deep into the playoffs several times and being disappointed by a team with a superior defense.
