Suns extend offer to Brooks, get more time for Carter
Jun 23, 2011, 3:47 PM | Updated: 4:54 pm
The Phoenix Suns Thursday announced they have extended a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Aaron Brooks, giving them the right to match any contract he signs with a different team.
When it comes to Vince Carter, who has an $18 million contract but just a $4 million buyout, the Suns decided they needed more time, agreeing to wait until the start of free agency for the 2011-12 season to make a final call on the shooting guard’s future (or lack thereof) with the team.
Brooks and Carter, both acquired by the Suns during the season, struggled to fit in with a team that was struggling to keep pace in the Western Conference playoff race.
Carter, who came to the team in the December trade that also brought in Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus and a 1st round draft pick in exchange for Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Earl Clark, averaged 13.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game as a Sun.
Brooks, brought in to be the backup point guard and sparkplug off the bench, averaged 9.6 points and 4.2 assists per game after coming to Phoenix in exchange for Goran Dragic and the Orlando draft pick.
Even with this news the odds of Carter ever wearing a Suns uniform again are slim, as it seems that the Suns just want a little more time to try and work out a trade with a different team.
Brooks, though, could return — if the price is right.
