PHOENIX SUNS

Veteran center Earl Barron with strong case to make Phoenix Suns

Oct 21, 2014, 12:31 AM | Updated: 12:32 am

Follow @CraigAZSports...

PHOENIX — The odds are stacked against Earl Barron, and he knows it. But he survived the first round of cuts, and there’s just one more round to go.

NBA rosters must be set by Oct. 27, meaning Barron, a seven-year veteran, should know by the weekend whether or not he’s done enough to open the 2014-15 season with the Phoenix Suns.

Teams can carry a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 15 players.

Currently, the Suns have 16 players on the roster, 15 of whom have guaranteed contracts. Barron is not one of those 15, yet with a week to go in the preseason, he remains.

“I’ve seen it done before,” he said, referring to his situation of trying to bump a player with a guaranteed deal off a final roster. “If you fit and if you’re showing that you can help the team win and you’re willing to sacrifice and do whatever it takes, then I know coaches see things like that and they’ll make changes and make moves, but I’m just out here just playing hard and whatever happens, happens.”

In four preseason games, Barron, a seven-foot, 245-pound center, has totaled 20 points (8-of-13 FG) and 23 rebounds in 70 minutes. He posted a double-double at Houston on Oct. 13 with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

“The one guy that sticks out is really fighting for the team is Earl Barron,” head coach Jeff Hornacek said. “He’s still on the roster for a reason. I know our guys are saying, hey, if he’s going to help us and we have to eat a contract somewhere, then I think (managing partner) Robert (Sarver) is willing to do that. If it’s going to help us win games and he’s better than another guy, Robert is all for it. He’s battling for one of those spots.”

Barring a trade to free up a roster spot, it would appear Barron, 33, is competing with 6-10 power forward Shavlik Randolph to make the team.

Randolph, 30, has played just 32 minutes in the preseason, missing one game because of a hyperextended right knee. He scored four points, grabbed eight rebounds and is owed $1.2 million after joining the Suns late last year.

“I know it’s a business,” Barron said. “Anything can happen.”

Barron has his own Suns ties.

Four years ago, he was signed after a knee injury sidelined Robin Lopez early in the 2010-11 season. He played 12 games, including six starts, and averaged 3.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15.3 minutes.

Over the next three seasons Barron made stops in Milwaukee, Portland, Golden State, Washington and New York. He did not play in the league last season.

Barron said he kept himself in shape and worked on his mid-range game.

“Last time I came (to the Suns) I was a little hesitant (to shoot),” he said. “I still had that opportunity and guys were telling me ‘shoot, shoot, you’re open, you’re open.’ But I just was hesitant, hesitant, hesitant a lot of the times. Steve (Nash) was here at the time and he’s making some amazing passes and I was just like caught off guard and wasn’t ready to shoot a lot. But now…I’ve been shooting the ball so well all summer and it’s just a matter of confidence; just taking the shot and in my head I think every time I shoot it’s going to go in if I get my feet set and I’m balanced I feel like every shot is going to go in.”

Familiarity with the area, style of play and some members of the staff, mainly the training staff, made for an easy decision by Barron to agree to return to the Suns; though how long this return lasts is the big unknown.

“Things have been going good so far,” he said. “I’ve got three more games to continue to prove that I deserve to be in the league or, if so be it, to be on this team.”

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Jusuf Nurkic questionable for Suns’ matchup with Thunder; Bradley Beal no longer listed

The Phoenix Suns are listing center Jusuf Nurkic questionable for a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

11 hours ago

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

1 day ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

1 day ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

2 days ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

Veteran center Earl Barron with strong case to make Phoenix Suns