Player Agents

Exclusive Offering
We understand Dwight’s position – it’s exhausting being passed around to super-teams, barely getting settled (much less healthy, but we’ll get to that) and rarely having a culture to buy into long enough to make an impact. Phoenix also understands that outside of the short shelf life that some aging superstars have on patched-together superteams, there is little youth to propel those teams towards multiple title runs – something Phoenix has addressed by adding the #1 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Ben McLemore. In addition to adding the most athletic shooter in the draft, Phoenix added a total of four high-potential first round draft picks and multiple second round picks. Mason Plumlee, Tony Mitchell, Jamal Franklin, Sergey Kasarev, Lorenzo Brown and local ASU star Carrick Felix all joined the Suns via the 2013 draft.

Phoenix offers, without doubt, the best physical training staff in the league. We understand that Dwight would rather be on the court than off it and our team will make sure that happens.

• Micro fracture knee surgery? No problem, Phoenix made Amare Stoudemire a multiple All-Star.
• Degenerative back disease? Steve Nash became the league MVP – twice.
• Years of wear and tear on a huge frame? Shaquille O’Neil revitalized his career here and became an All-Star again.
• Grant Hill? Michael Redd? Jermaine O’Neal? Exactly.

From a contractual standpoint, Phoenix has the ability to offer Dwight the best contract that 28 other teams in the league can offer. The Suns can also offer the ability to play with two of his closest friends – Josh Smith and Anthony Morrow.

Background
Not only do the Suns have the cap space to recruit Howard, they also have one of his closest friends on their roster in Anthony Morrow and the ability to sign another – Josh Smith. Both have known Howard for years and they could help the Suns lure the big man this summer.

Smith, who also grew up in Atlanta, has known Howard since preschool. They joke that they’ve been balling together since they were in diapers. The two boys remained friends as they completed grade after grade and started developing into the physical specimens we see today. They formed one of the best AAU duos in the nation and talked about someday playing together in the NBA. When Smith got married two years ago, Howard was the best man in his wedding. Smith admits that he would love to reunite with Howard.

“Who wouldn’t want a guy like that on your team?” Smith said of Howard when HOOPSWORLD caught up with him in Las Vegas. “He’s the best big man in the league. I’d love to have him. Who wouldn’t? He’s the most dominant big in the game right now.

“The Suns do have a lot of money coming off the books, especially after this year. I don’t know what the plans are. I guess every team that’s unloading money, the media thinks they’re targeting Dwight.”

Smith said that if Howard were to join the Suns, it’d be “icing on the cake.”

Morrow grew up in Charlotte and was always traveling to Georgia to play in AAU games and tournaments, which is how he became close friends with Howard and Smith. Morrow played four seasons at Georgia Tech and was acquired this past season by the Suns in trade with Atlanta.

Last summer, Howard was asked to name five players who he would like to have on his team. Howard named Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Stephen Jackson (another of Phoenix’s free agent targets), Monta Ellis and Morrow, showing just how close he is with the shooting guard and how much he respects his game. Morrow believes the Suns have a chance to land Howard, a strategy he says the Suns have been pursuing for some time.

“With me and Josh having a relationship with Dwight, it’s a possibility,” Morrow said. “It’s always a possibility, but that’s something that they’ll have to take care of upstairs. Our front office is doing a great job so far. Anything is possible, you never know. It’d be great with the relationship that us three have, especially from a chemistry standpoint. That’s a good core group of guys right there to build a team around. It’d be great, but there’s no telling what will happen.”

Projected Phoenix Suns Depth Chart
PG – Goran Dragic / Veteran / Lorenzo Brown
SG – Ben McLemore / PJ Tucker / Carrick Felix
SF – Anthony Morrow / Cap MLE - Stephen Jackson / Jamal Franklin
PF – Josh Smith / Tony Mitchell / Sergey Karasev
C – Dwight Howard / Mason Plumlee / Veteran

Phoenix feels that this combination of athleticism, shooting and defense can create a contending team for years to come. Our ability to surround Dwight with accomplished shooters will free up the paint for him to operate close to the basket. Additionally, we feel that Dwight and Josh will enjoy hosting various block parties with great regularity.

Finally, in terms of continuity, Phoenix will still be +/- $15 million under the luxury tax line meaning that no cost cutting moves will be necessary for Dwight’s entire contract. We can commit to surrounding him with the best combination of veteran and rookie talent available. The Phoenix Suns are rising Dwight Howard will be the man who brings the Valley of the Sun its first title – ever.

You want to talk about legacy? Howard will cement his as a Sun.

Contract Offer
Phoenix is thrilled to present Dwight Howard with a maximum contract offer in the following amount, with a player option in Year 4.

Year 1 $20,513,178
Year 2 $21,436,271
Year 3 $22,359,364
Year 4 $23,282,457 (player option)
Total $87,591,270

We appreciate the opportunity to present Dwight with our offer – we are truly excited about the opportunity to have one of the greatest Centers of all time on our roster.

Sincerely,

Phoenix Suns General Management, its Players and its Fans