Shawn Marion says Phoenix will always have a special place in his heart

The Phoenix Suns selected Shawn Marion out of UNLV in the first round of the 1999 NBA Draft.

Marion spent 8.5 years with the Suns, represented them in four All-Star games and ranks in the franchise’s top five in field goals, three-pointers, rebounds, steals, blocked shots and points.

However, Marion has only one championship ring, which he earned as part of the 2011 Dallas Mavericks that knocked off LeBron James and the Miami Heat in six games.

Entering free agency for the first time since 2009, Marion joined Burns and Gambo Wednesday on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM and said he doesn’t necessarily plan on retiring as a Maverick.

“That’s not what I said, I didn’t say that,” Marion stated. “I said that I didn’t know where I was going to retire (in the league), because I can’t dictate what’s going to happen this summer, I can’t control anything.

“If it happens, it happens, but what I said was I was going to retire (after the playing days are over) in the Dallas community.”

Marion, 36, appears to have some fuel left in the tank after averaging 10.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in 76 starts for the Mavericks last season.

“I want to play a couple more years,” he said, adding that his preference is to re-sign with Dallas, but he’s open to other locales. “My ultimate goal is to win another championship, so it’s wherever I feel is the best chance to win another championship.”

Regardless of where he lands, the Valley will always be special in Marion’s heart.

“I definitely love Phoenix, I have a place there and I’ve got a lot of friends there still,” he said. “I watched the city grow. I was a part of the city when it was growing and maturing. It was a great run.”

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